Ministry Considering Public Consultations on Flexi-Work Arrangement

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says the Ministry will ensure that workers and employers are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities under the impending flexi-work arrangements.

The Minister gave the commitment Tuesday, September 9, as he opened the debate on the Employment (Flexible Work Arrangements) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act in the House of Representatives.

He said consideration is being given to having a public education programme on the provisions of the Bill.

“The possibility exists for greater island-wide consultations on the flexible work arrangements as a means of deepening understanding of the provisions of the Bill. In any event the Ministry is fully committed to ensure that workers and employers are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the new Bill,” he stated.

The flexi-work arrangement is intended to increase employment opportunities, enhance productivity and afford workers the opportunity to better structure their lives through a flexible employee/employer work agreement.

Under the legislation, there will be no set eight or 10-hour work days, but instead these will be capped at a maximum of 12 hours.

The work week should consist of 40 hours, all seven days of the week should be considered as possible normal working days, and overtime should be earned after the worker has completed 40 hours.

The Minister reminded employers, who breach a worker’s constitutional right to worship, that they could face sanctions.

He said the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act, is to be amended to give greater protection to workers.

“The effect of this amendment to the Bill is that employers, who subject employees to occupational detriment, as a result of the workers’ exercise of the right to worship, may be subject to the jurisdiction of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal,” he said.

Minister Kellier said that the Ministry will be actively monitoring all complaints in respect of the implementation of flexible work arrangements and will be taking the appropriate actions where there are breaches of the law.

Debate on the Bill will continue at the next sitting of the House of Representatives.