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| ??Occupational safety and health matters on their minds: Minister of Labour, Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, in conversation with Executive Director of ILO’s Social Protection Sector, Assane Diop and the Director of the ILO’s Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean, Dr. Ana Romero. (C. Pitt/BGIS) |
Government is working feverishly to have this country’s occupational safety and health legislation proclaimed, says Minister of Labour, Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo.
She made the comments yesterday at her Warrens Office Complex during a meeting with the Executive Director of the Social Protection Sector of the International Labour Office (ILO), Assane Diop, and Director of the ILO’s Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean, Dr. Ana Romero.
Dr. Byer Suckoo admitted that government had some challenges in relation to some of its buildings, but revealed that a survey on occupational safety and health conditions within the public sector was currently being conducted in an effort to identify concerns in government offices.
She noted that the situation should soon be alleviated with the completion of two new Government offices now under construction in the Warrens area. She pointed out that the civil service employs about 30,000 people and, therefore, it was critical for government to set the right standard.
Mr. Diop agreed that the occupational safety and health legislation was important, especially in light of the mining accidents which had occurred across the world in 2010 as well as this year.
Dr. Byer Suckoo and Mr. Diop also discussed the upcoming international labour conference, other key pieces of legislation, vocational training and how to help young people think outside of the box and become entrepreneurs.
At the end of the talks, Mr. Diop commended the Minister and expressed the view that Barbados was doing well.