Charles Summons Employers/Trade Unions to Discuss Lay-Offs

Minister of Labour and Social Security(MLSS), the Hon. Pearnel Charles, has invited employers and trade unions to a meeting at the Terra Nova Hotel, Kingston, Thursday morning to continue discussions on the issue of redundancies and lay-offs.
Mr. Charles told JIS News last night(Feb 23) that the decision to call the meeting was another attempt by the Government to get employers and trade unions to discuss less painful responses to the global economic crisis.
“The Government is concerned about the number of separations and would like to cauterize the situation, by emphasizing the proposals made by the trade unions,” the minister said.
According to Mr. Charles, the trade unions have already proposed as options: shorter work week; salary cuts; and reduction in fringe benefits in order to help most of the affected workers keep their job. He said that his ministry supports these options, as temporary measures, pending a possible improvement in the economic climate.
However, he said that despite several earlier meetings with the employers, the level of redundancies and lay-offs have continued unabated.
“I need to find out from these employers if they have examined these options, and whether there is anything the government can do to assist in retaining the jobs of these workers,” Mr. Charles said.
“The Ministry is aware that the plight of some workers has been cushioned by the redundancy payments they have received, but others get little or nothing, and I believe that instead of paying redundancy, the employers could use those funds to keep the workers on the job a little longer, with the hope that the situation will improve over time,” he said.
Thursday’s meeting is expected to start at approximately 9 a.m.