Ministry of Labour & Social Security

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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles has announced that the Ministry would be reviewing the National Labour Laws, as part of efforts to strengthen the Social Security Schemes for the vulnerable in society.

Mr. Charles, who was speaking at the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) Convention on Thursday (May 8), said the revision of the National Labour Laws is necessary if social protection reforms are to be enforced and thus would be a primary point for consideration at the national tripartite-plus consultations. The convention was held at Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.

"We need laws with teeth to create an avenue for enforcement of social protection reforms. This is so that we can widen coverage to benefit persons, who are vulnerable or in risk groups, but who do not currently fall within the social safety net," he said.

Mr. Charles said that the informal sector, workers in burgeoning industries, unregulated and non-regular employment relations, must be afforded the protection and privileges provided in law and practice. He explained that the review of these laws would also allow for easier movement of capital and labour, especially in light of the Caribbean Single Market (CSM).

"As we move from territory to territory within the Caribbean Single Market and Economy framework, workers can rest assured that their benefits will accrue in their home country," he informed, while emphasising the need for a well functioning labour market that would increase economic growth and promote industrial harmony and sustainable development.

The Ministry, through its Labour Market Information System (LMIS), has provided employment for many Jamaicans, and since its inception in 2002 to December 31, 2007, it has provided employment for 2,496 persons.

However, 5,214 persons were interviewed via the Labour Exchange. Also, of the 19,257 jobseekers registered, only 6,162 vacancies were published.

"If we are to attack the problem of unemployment.this information is critical, as we need to examine why there is still such a large gap between the large number of persons who are in need of jobs, and the small number of available jobs," Mr. Charles explained.

"There is the need for greater job creation, and to provide more persons with the avenue to become entrepreneurs, thereby reducing the level of jobseekers, making them into business-owners, who in turn will become employers themselves," he added.

The Minister informed that in order to provide decent work to Jamaicans, the Ministry would be assessing the labour market needs and certifying skills, to prepare workers to meet employment demands.

The LMIS is a combination of two facilities: the Electronic Labour Exchange and the Labour Market Information. Through this system, employment facilities are provided at no cost to the public. This include an electronic job matching system and labour market information to satisfy the needs of job seekers and employers. The system provides a cost effective means for the employers to source suitable candidates and all jobseekers are required to be registered, interviewed, classified and screened before being referred to employers for possible placement.

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