A senior industrial relations official is encouraging more employers to keep abreast of local labour legislation and industrial relations best practices in an effort to better serve the needs of their employees.

This advice comes from the Labour Department’s Deputy Chief Labour Officer, Vincent Burnett, who was speaking during an industrial relations seminar at the National Union of Public Workers headquarters this week. The seminar was put on by the Labour Department in collaboration with the Small Business Association of Barbados.

According to Mr. Burnett, more employees seemed aware of the intricacies of local labour laws when compared to management.

“We find the workers are more educated on the legislation than some employers. With these seminars, we want employers to be sure of what the law says, therefore minimising any conflict which could arise. If all parties are knowledgeable in the ways of labour there would be less propensity for conflict,” he explained

Mr. Burnett also revealed that several new pieces of legislation were “on the horizon” including the Safety and Health at Work, Employment Rights, Sexual Harassment and Minimum Wage Bills.
He urged all parties, employers and employees, to become familiar with these laws and understand their impact on the industrial relations environment.

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