New Labour Market Reform Commission Established

The Government has established a new Labour Market Reform Commission to undertake work which will ensure that industrial relations practices facilitate higher levels of productivity, and are compatible with modern labour market engagements.

This was disclosed by Finance and Planning  Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, as he opened the 2015/16 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, on March 12.

The Commission will be chaired by Dr. Marshall Hall, and comprise representatives of trade unions, employers, academia, and the public sector.

“The Commission is to be supported by a Secretariat which will operate out of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), and be coordinated by Lloyd Goodleigh,” the Minister informed.

Dr. Hall is a Board member of the Jamaica Producers Group (JPG), while M. Goodleigh is President of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU).

Dr. Phillips said one achievement which Jamaica can take pride in, is the creation of a modern industrial relations framework which underpins an essentially harmonious relationship between workers and their employers, and protects the interests of both groups.

“However, there are still elements of our industrial relations practices which need to be updated, to conform to the requirements of today’s global environment,” he underscored.