BASSETERRE- St. Kitts – NEVIS’ Premier and Federal Minister with Responsibility for Labour, Hon. Vance Amory has disclosed that officials in his Ministry have recognized the need for improving the environment in which people work.
That comment comes against the backdrop of checks carried out at various work sites by officials of the Department of Labour and the Ministry of Labour, who reported negative findings at some establishments.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Amory said that in the broad sense they have mandated, with the support of Cabinet, that Labour Officers pay periodic visits to various work establishments – whether they are large or small.
This, the Minister stressed, is for those officers to work along with both employers and employees.
“This is to create an understanding of the requirements of the legislation which governs employment in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“I think we are making some progress. The staff continues to do their work, they continue to educate and to apprize the employee and employers on their rights and their obligations. And I think they have been making some progress in that regard.”
When it comes to changes being made by employers on the recommendation of labour officials, Amory noted that they mainly speak to the working conditions of employees.
He stressed that in some circumstances the working conditions were not conducive for employment.
“I think those are being looked at. We are looking very closely at matters that relate to the level of payment, to ensure that people are being paid the correct wages and that contributions are made to Social Security as part of the arrangement and the obligation.”
Amory declared that he felt by doing it that way it is being all in the realms of the law.
Shortly after taking office back in 2015, the Government of National Unity had urged all undocumented workers to be regularized.
The government also sought to conduct investigations at a number of job sites to ensure working conditions are conducive for employment, and the Labour Department had found some discrepancies at a number of work places.
