Labour Ministry Intensifies Public Education Drive on Flexi Work

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has been intensifying its public education efforts as more workers express interest in having flexible work arrangements.

Director of Legal Services in the Ministry, Camille Bennett-Campbell, told JIS News that the public education programmes are necessary as workers need to know their rights.

“The Employment Flexible Work Arrangements, Miscellaneous Act 2014 has resulted in several amendments to different pieces of legislation, so that flexible work arrangements can be implemented. (As a result of this), it is important for us to ensure that workers and employers are sure of their rights,” she said.

Mrs. Bennett-Campbell informed that the Ministry has been engaging in sessions with both private and public sector groups in Kingston and Montego Bay and there are plans to visit other parishes. She also said that the ministry’s parish offices will play a crucial role in the islandwide campaign.

Among these sessions was a recent three-day seminar at the Ministry of Finance, attended by a total of 43 government departments and agencies.

The Director said that feedback to the Act has been positive and while the practice is not new in some sectors, others have begun to introduce the practice.

“Some organizations have indicated that they have already implemented flexible work arrangements. Some have done so on a voluntary basis and others in relation to certain departments,” Mrs. Bennett-Campbell noted.

She said the Ministry will continue to “monitor these organizations to see exactly how it is working.”

The Act came into effect on November 25, 2014.