The Dickon Mitchell-led Congress administration in the Botanical Gardens in St George has announced plans to take legislation soon to Parliament to make Occupational Health and Safety a mandatory protocol in all workplaces on the island including the private sector.
This was announced by Minister of Labour, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Senator Claudette Joseph during her traditional address at the annual Labour Day celebration on May 1.
Sen. Joseph told workers that in her capacity as Minister of Labour, she has already mandated the Labour Advisory Board to review the recommendations that were sitting in front of the previous administration since 2015 and which they did nothing about to address the issue of Occupational Safety and Health.
According to the senior government minister, the hope of the near 3-year old administration is that by the end of 2025 “we should have a bill to take to Parliament regarding Occupational Safety and Health”.
She is confident that once this is done, the country will no longer have to rely “on the goodwill and conscience of employers to ensure that their workers have a safe system and space of work but that they will be mandated to do so by law.”
“This sisters and brothers I say to you is a clear demonstration of your administration, your government securing the rights of workers in a just and fair manner.”
The minister also announced that the Labour Advisory Board under the stewardship of the Labour Commissioner and with participation from the Grenada Trades Union Council (TUC) “are working diligently to ensure that the amendments to the Labour Code are relevant and tailored to the needs of the present Labour market.”
“We are in the very final stages of the process – we have a draft bill in hand, it is being proofread and it will soon be sent to your unions for review.
“We have reached consensus on all aspects except one little issue in relation to the Dispute Resolution mechanism.
“I am happy to announce the introduction under these amendments of Paternity Leave benefits for Men and Extension of Maternity Leave benefits for Women. These were already approved by the National Insurance Board and we thank them for this.
“Brothers and sisters, this revamped Labour Code will also feature a new Dispute Resolution Mechanism – one that is accessible, easy, affordable, fast and non-discriminatory.
“This system will also contribute to the rule of law and perform its functions impartially, independently and professionally and in a transparent and accountable manner.
“I ask you as your Minister of Labour and your Attorney General to trust us on this that we will have a Dispute Resolution Mechanism that will withstand the test of time and shock.
“We hope to continue the dialogue with the Trade Unions because this is the only outstanding matter in relation to the amendment to the Labour Code. And Brothers and Sisters, these amendments to the Labour Code that we are going to bring to you are again demonstrative of your administration’s securing the rights of workers in a just and fair manner.”
A source close to TUC told THE NEW TODAY that one of the contentious issues in the newlook Labour Code is the government’s move to increase the number of areas in the Essential Services Act (ESA) that are prohibited from strike action.
Under the existing legislation, it makes stringent provisions for strike action in services like electricity, police, port workers, nurses among others.
However, over the years, the Technical & Allied Workers Union (TAWU) has seemingly ignored the act and called out workers on several occasions to engage in strike action.
