The Employment Rights Tribunal (ERT) has set a three-day hearing for the 97 workers who were retrenched from the National Conservation Commission (NCC), beginning on Wednesday, September 30.
This was announced by Chairman of the ERT, Hal Gollop, following a presentation of the published First Decision of the ERT to Minister of Labour, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, at her Warrens office.
The NCC hearing is open to members of the public and will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre at a time to be announced shortly.
Mr. Gollop emphasised that the tribunal will endeavour to render its decisions as soon as possible.
???It is in the interest of the worker, the Tribunal and the state that these matters be dealt with expeditiously, from hearing to conclusion, because people need to know how they will best continue with their lives and livelihood,??? he explained.
Statistics presented by Mr Gollop revealed that the tribunal had a total of 141 cases submitted for adjudication, with eight of them being discontinued and two being settled by the parties themselves without further intervention by the tribunal.
The ERT was also awaiting the submission of documents in 97 of the cases, he disclosed. ???The tribunal is going about its work quietly and efficiently and working very hard in its mandate as an agency, which is crucial for settling matters in industrial relations,??? the Chairman stated.
Labour Minister, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, said that this was significant for industrial relations in Barbados and that ???Barbadians seem more satisfied??? because they could go to the tribunal to have their matters resolved.
???I am advised that since this first case was heard and decided, there has been an increasing interest for cases to be heard by the ERT, and of course, you don???t just bring matters directly to the ERT as you still have to go through the process,??? she stressed.
Both Dr. Byer Suckoo and Mr. Gollop further advised persons who intend to have matters decided upon to make a very careful study of the procedures and regulations in the Employment Rights Act, or to contact the Labour Department for assistance.
jamal.hall@barbados.gov.bb