BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Government is currently looking to implement changes in the way the Department of Labour functions, with the hope of creating a more harmonious working environment in St. Kitts and Nevis.
This forms part of the Government’s restructuring thrust of the entire operations of that agency with the view to bringing it in line with the new look of the way business is conducted by the Team Unity Administration.
According to Minister of Labour the Hon. Vance Amory, in the past the Department was seen as a place where complaints were only made. However, under the new dispensation, changes are abounding.
He stated that “we have passed that” and currently they are closely working with representatives of the Worker’s Union and those representing the employers.
Minister Amory noted that in those discussions, the Government coordinates the entire legislative process ensuring that right conditions and criteria are met for the working population.
“I believe that this is the way to go, because what we are achieving by doing that is a more harmonious approach to workers and employers,” explained Amory.
The Senior Minister in the Team Unity Administration opined that the country currently does not need any contentious environment between unions that represent employees and representing the business sector.
He stressed that they both have to work in sync so that the Federation could get the best outcome and benefits for the country.
For many years, the Department has received and continue to receive a number of complaints from employees about their working conditions and the treatment they received from their employers, noticeably those employed on Port Zante.
Earlier this year, the Minister revealed in a media interview that while conducting their investigations into undocumented workers on job sites, the Labour Department officials found that many business entities lack the fundamental conditions for employees.
At a recent town hall meeting in Mc Knight, Amory said that businesses go into operations to make a profit and when they hire persons “both groups, I believe, must work together in harmony”.