??
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo (right), chats with Chief Executive Officer of the National Initiative for Service Excellence, Kim Tudor and and President of CTUSAB, Cedric Murrell at the workshop.??(A. Miller/BGIS)

A soon to be finalised National Employment Policy has been designed to put in place a framework which ensures that enterprises operate in a responsible, legal and ethical manner.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, made this assertion, before pointing out that the policy would identify key areas for intervention, some of which were also included in the Medium-Term Development Strategy and Protocol 6.

She was speaking this morning at a Tripartite Dissemination Workshop and Breakfast Meeting to Present the Report on Enabling Environment for Sustainable Enterprises in Barbados at the Hilton Barbados.?? It was hosted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

She told the attendees that Government’s function to provide transparent, accountable and well-communicated regulations should not be seen as burdensome, but rather, as "foundations upon which enterprises flourish and grow".??

Stating that these regulations uphold labour and environmental standards, she noted that while some emerging businesses "might be inclined to remain in the informal sector, it is this enabling legal environment that safeguards enterprises and their clients".

She continued: "Enterprises, including Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, are a major source of tax revenue and, therefore, contribute in no small way to the provision of public health, education and other services.?? A framework must, therefore, be put in

place to ensure that these enterprises operate in a responsible, legal and ethical manner."

Moreover, the Labour Minister emphasised that appropriate workplace practices inclusive of the "pillars of decent work", occupational safety and health standards, efficient labour-management relations and human resource development policies, were all seen as relevant and important in the promotion of sustainable enterprises.

Furthermore, she noted that practices such as labour standards, observance of the minimum age, minimum wage and rejection of child and forced labour enhanced productivity, innovativeness and the competitiveness of enterprises.

"While much has been achieved in this area through agreement and custom, increasingly there is a need to cement some of these through legislation as the players and the environment change," Dr. Byer Suckoo said.??

shamkoe.pile@barbados.gov.bb

Author: Shamkoe Pil??

Pin It on Pinterest