Office of the IDT to be Established in Western Jamaica

Persons in the western end of the island will later this year have full services of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT), as the Government will be establishing an office there to arbitrate on labour disagreements.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, who made the disclosure, said it is part of several measures to strengthen the IDT to delivery timely services to the population.

Addressing staff members of the agency at its St. Andrew offices, today (January 19), the Minister said: “We want to ensure that the people in western Jamaica will have the opportunity for the IDT sitting in their region.”

The Minister added that the Government will be relying on the IDT as it moves toward implementing important elements of the economic agenda, such as the flexi working arrangements, while also setting up a similar body to treat with issues of the disabled community.

“With the recent passage of the Disability Act, there will be the need to establish a tribunal akin to the IDT, geared specifically towards dealing with issues surrounding disability and the disabled community,” he told his audience, noting that the agency might have to create a new division to deal with issues of occupational safety under the new law.

The Minister told officials of the IDT that with a number of legislative changes taking place, new disputes will arise, and they must be committed to the task of protecting the rights of workers, as he as Minister, will ensure that no worker is disenfranchised under the law.

Dr. Ferguson said that while he lobbies for increased budgetary support, as well as indentify new sources of funding for the IDT, the officers must not be daunted in their work.

The Minister also commended trade union leaders, and staff of the IDT, who have to work for the speedy settlement of disputes, noting that as the country goes through its economic reform programme, industrial harmony is crucial for successes to be achieved.