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Minister Charles urges cooperation between employers and staff

November 18, 2010

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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, is insisting on better cooperation and more discussion on consensus between employers and employees.
This will create a better work environment and a better labour force, as employers alone cannot handle decisions at the workplace, Mr. Charles told the opening ceremony of the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ) at the Wyndham Hotel, New Kingston, Wednesday (November 17).
“There is no doubt that one of the criticism of employers today is that there is not enough dialogue for consensus at the workplace, relating to issues that cause disturbance if you’re not dialoguing, then we have a problem, you’re not in partnership,” Mr. Charles stated.
He also noted that in human resource development, to get things done means a whole lot of cooperation and discussion.
Mr. Charles posited that while workers must be held accountable for their performance and work ethics, supervisors and other top management personnel must acquaint themselves with all aspects of the operations.
“Some of our supervisors, if the workers go on strike they cant even turn off the machines; they dont know how You have a job to teach the employer and the employee how to run the business, how to make use of the capital that they have invested with such sacrifice, how to tell the worker that, without you, there is no business and, without this business, there is no you,” he elaborated.
He also announced that between April and September 2010, the Ministry had successfully dealt with 87 industrial relations disputes, and 2,085 cases relating to pay and employment. He assured that the ministry is working assiduously to resolve the issues in a timely manner.
In his opening remarks, President of the HRMAJ, Colin Barnett, stressed the importance of human resource professionals playing a leadership role in their organisations, based on strong values and ethical practices.
“I know that sometimes there is a tremendous burden that is placed on human resource specialists, to walk a narrow line between what is legally and morally best for employees and, on the other hand, (what is) financially advantageous to the organisation in making these critical decisions, our ethical and professional standards must be maintained,” he said.
The HRMAJ, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, also launched its code of ethics handbook for HR professionals at the function.
The two-day forum, under the theme ‘No limits: Winning Through Transformational Leadership and Partnership’, presents participants with a diverse set of activities, providing useful strategies for application in the workplace.
The conference also provides opportunities for persons to meet and hear presentations from experts with years of experience in the fields of leadership and human resource management, such as international consultant and author, Dick Finnegan.

Last Updated: August 13, 2013

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