News
Deadline Extendedfor White Paper Feedback on Labour Matters
Joy Basdeo,Permanent Secretary (Human Resources)
The public now has until Friday, June 28 to comment on proposedlegislative changes that will affect the development of the workplacefor many years.
Human Resources Ministry officials recentlyextended the deadline for public feedback on the Employment RelationsWhite Paper, which outlines plans to modernise the Labour Law,the Workman's Compensation Law, the Pensions Law, the Trade UnionLaw as well as the Trade and Business Licensing Law.
Given the ongoing debate on the constitution,Permanent Secretary (Human Resources) Joy Basdeo believes theextension was necessary to allow the public ample time to contributeto both documents.
"The White Paper will be the keystonefor a new employee relations system, founded on a partnershipbetween government, employers and employees, that offers equalityand respect for all. Building this system will require a changein society's attitudes that must be driven by a clear understandingof government policies and of employers' and employees' rightsand responsibilities. For this reason, the ministry is seekinginput on the document from as wide as possible a cross sectionof the community," Mrs Basdeo explains.
Calling the Workman's Compensation Law anexample of the need for modernisation, she adds that the presentstatute does not protect workers killed on the job or injuredto the point of total disability. This is because the law defines"workers" as persons making less than CI$1500 per year,while society's least paid members presently earn annual wagesof CI$5,000-8,000. While government and most large internationalcompanies offer compensation, many other employers do not, shecomments.
Persons who wish to learn more about theproposed changes contained in the Employment Relations White Papermay download the document from government's web-site www.gov.ky.Copies are also available from the Government Administration Buildingreception area, from the Employment Services Centre in PaddingtonPlace, and from the Employment Relations Department in the TowerBuilding.
The public may send suggestions by mailto the Human Resources Ministry on the fourth floor of the GovernmentAdministration Building, by fax to 949-9343, or by e-mail to doss.solomon@gov.ky.Interested persons should contact 244-2417 for more information.
Ministry officials expect to bring the billproposing an amendment to the Labour Law, before the LegislativeAssembly in September. They are still working to timetable billsthat will update the Workman's Compensation Law, the PensionsLaw, the Trade Union Law and the Trade and Business LicensingLaw.