Labour Officials endorse Construction Association revival
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| (L-R): Chief Labour Officer, Nevis, Averil Williams; Labour Officer Carlysle Hobson; and Pastor Davidson Morton |
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - LABOUR officials in Nevis and 28 representatives of construction companies on the island held a half-day workshop on Wednesday at the Red Cross Building, Chapel Street, where they agreed that an active construction association was crucial and timely.
Under the theme, “Towards A Better Workplace”, Labour officials and the owners and representatives of construction companies discussed challenges in the fastest growing sector on the island. Over 104 construction companies are registered in Nevis.
At the opening ceremony, Chief Labour Officer Averil Williams said the workshop was the first of its kind and told the participants and guests that complaints by employers are attended to by the Department of Labour.
“I have heard some of those opinions. A common one is that we take the side of the employee. That is simply not true. We try to be fair in administering the labour laws…We are really here to help you. I am not so sure if you see it that way, but it is a fact.”
Officials of the dormant construction association said there had been attempts to revive the association in the past, but none of them were successful. With a show of hands, the 28 construction companies’ representatives, including representatives of overseas and regional construction companies, agreed that a vibrant association would enhance the construction industry. ~~Adz:Right~~
The representatives urged the government to establish a vocational training institution where young people interested in working in the industry would acquire basic skills before being employed.
Some representatives complained that a number of youths find it difficult to climb the ladder through hard work and training and expect to be paid the same wages as those who are experienced.
One participant declared that Nevisian artisans are respected in the region and are also in demand. “Construction is the only thing we have been able to export,” he said and noted that Nevisian artisans working in US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and St. Maartin were highly respected for their skills.
Also at issue were the existing laws which a Labour Officer, Carlysle Hobson, said had been drafted for sugarcane workers. He said the laws had been adjusted but not reformed. Labour officials and construction industry representatives agreed that the laws be overhauled to suit today’s employers and workers.
Former Chief Labour Officer in St. Kitts, Pastor Davidson Morton, said labour laws required attention. Pastor Morton had been invited to the workshop to lecture on “Dealing with Conflict on the Job”. He said if employers and employees were dissatisfied with the Labour Department’s intervention, the labour laws allow for them to seek redress at the court.
The employers felt that an employee who quits his job without prior notice should not be in receipt of holiday pay, instead he should be the one to pay the employer. But the labour officials explained that the employee would have already accumulated his holiday pay.
Others who addressed the workshop included Cabinet Secretary Ashley Farrell and Joseph Wiltshire, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Ministry.
A section of owners and representatives of construction companies on Nevis
