Labour Relations to Strengthen In The Territory
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| ILO representatives meet with the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Hon Omar Hodge to discuss labour management issues |
ROADTOWN, Tortola- Representatives from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have identified two priority areas that will assist the Government with addressing labour concerns in the Territory.
The priority areas identified are the need to amend and upgrade the Labour Code so that it coincides with the current times, and the management of labour migration.
Director of the ILO’s Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean Dr. Ana Teresa Romero and Senior Specialist on Employers’ Activities Mrs. Luesette Howell made the assessment during a three-day visit to the Territory from July 9 through 11.
Dr. Romero told the Department of Information and Public Relations that the United Nations agency is responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. “We bring together representatives of government, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programmes. We ensure that the labour standard is respected in practice as well as in principle.”
Acting Labour Commissioner Mrs. Oleanvine Maynard said the ILO will provide the Labour Department with comparative information and advice on what other countries are doing to manage labour migration and technical reviews for amending the labour code. “Once we are given this information, we will have public consultations to decide what elements of the review are suitable to us,” Mrs. Maynard explained. ~~Adz:Right~~
“Our goal is to strengthen the framework of the Labour Department in an effort to make it more effective and productive to its users and stakeholders,” the Acting Labour Commissioner said. “We are looking forward to working closely with the ILO to improve the services we offer thereby meeting the needs of everyone.”
The ILO representatives met with Government officials including the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Omar Hodge, the Acing Labour Commissioner, representatives from private organisations and local entrepreneurs. Their visit also included a courtesy call to the Office of the Premier, presentation at the Rotary Club of Tortola and a dinner hosted by the Minster for Natural Resources and Labour.
The ILO was created in 1919 to define and guarantee labour rights and improve conditions for working people by building a system of international labour standards expressed in the form of conventions, recommendations and codes of practice. It adopted 182 countries around the world.
The Virgin Islands (UK) became a member of the ILO based on its status as a British Overseas Territories when the United Kingdom gained membership in 1919.
The ILO’s visit to the Territory is in keeping with Government’s goal to develop and implement a labour policy to manage the supply and demand of labour in the Territory, and to strengthen labour administration to increase responsiveness and efficiency in customer service.
