SECTORAL DEBATE PRESENTATION 2009 HON. PEARNEL CHARLES MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY JUNE 23, 2009
"........... the global financial crisis has exposed the artificial and tenuous nature of the international economic system........” “...........But, in a crisis there are only two (2) options available - FI GHT or FLI GHT . Mr. Speaker, in our case, there is really only one feasible option at this time. We must of necessity FI GHT for the survival of OUR nation..................” Pearnel Charles, 2009 Sectoral Debate, 23 June, 2009 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS I NTRODUCTI ON__________________________________ 6 HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ___________________ 8 Special Youth Employment And Training Project ______________ 8 The Youth Empowerment Strategy (YES) Project ____________ 10 The Steps to Work Project ______________________________ 11 A Special Loan Facility for Displaced Workers _______________ 12 MANPOWER SERVI CES ___________________________ 13 The Overseas Employment Programme ____________________ 13 Canadian Farm Work Programme_________________________ 14 Canadian Low-Skilled Programme ________________________ 14 The United States Farm Work Programme _________________ 16 J-1 programme _______________________________________ 16 Earnings ____________________________________________ 17 Overseas Workers Family Service _________________________ 17 Work Permit _________________________________________ 18 3
CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) ______________ 19 Employment Agencies __________________________________ 20 THE NATI ONAL I NSURANCE SCHEME & FUND __________ 23 EXPANDI NG THE SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME OF ADVANCEMENT THROUGH HEALTH AND EDUCATI ON (PATH) _____________________________________________ 27 LABOUR MANAGEMENT RELATI ONS _________________ 29 Redundancies ________________________________________ 30 Essential Services _____________________________________ 34 Conciliation __________________________________________ 37 The Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT)_____________________ 38 The I nternational Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (I PEC) __________________________________ 40 FLEXI BLE WORK ARRANGEMENT ___________________ 41 LABOUR MARKET REFORM ________________________ 43 Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act (LRIDA) _________ 43 Restructuring of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security ____ 44 4
Labour Market Information ______________________________ 44 Occupational Safety and Health __________________________ 45 Flexible Work Arrangements _____________________________ 45 Training and Education _________________________________ 45 Other Areas __________________________________________ 46 REVI TALI ZI NG JAMAI CA’S LABOUR LAWS ____________ 47 Legal Enforcement _____________________________ 49 CONCLUSI ON ___________________________________ 50 5
I NTRODUCTI ON Mr. Speaker, the global financial crisis has exposed the artificial and tenuous nature of the international economic system. Most countries felt their respective economies were thriving, sustainable and prosperous. However, recent events have demonstrated that this is not the reality. Initial assessment of the crisis indicates that worldwide, over one hundred and four (104) million people will lose their jobs and an estimated one billion will be pushed below the poverty line. Mr. Speaker, in Jamaica, we have begun to experience the devastating effects of this fall out. There has been a spate of business contractions and closures, lay-off and redundancies in major sectors of the economy, which were once considered to be strong and stable. But, in a crisis there are only two (2) options available - FIGHT or FLIGHT . Mr. Speaker, in our case, there is really only one feasible option at this time. We must of necessity FIGHT for the survival of OUR nation. This must be a time when we begin to build new social networks for national co-operation and solidarity. A time when we must re-examine our individual comfort zones, and give serious consideration to the 6
cause of the common good. This is the time when we must deliberately resolve to put an end to divisiveness and strive for unity. Mr. Speaker, this is the time when we must build on the strength and resilience of the Jamaican people. Last year, I told this House that the Ministry would reposition itself to focus on Human Resource Development, instead of the usual pre- occupation with Labour Management issues. Most of what we set out to do we have achieved. I invite Members to examine the details of the Ministry’s performance as outlined in the Annual Report 2008-2009, which has been tabled. While we continue these strategies, the major focus this year will be to cushion the effects of hardship on the most vulnerable. In doing so Mr. Speaker, there will be an emphasis on developing and empowering these persons to help themselves. In other words, the resources of the Ministry will be strategically directed to enable them to take responsibility . 7
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT Special Youth Employment And Training Project The Special Youth Employment And Training Project (SYEAT) was launched in October last year. This programme targets youngsters between 18-25 years old, who are considered at risk and unattached. This initiative represents a strategy to further the national policy of human resource development, where young workers are integrated into the labour market through apprenticeship arrangements. A unique feature of this project is that work experience is linked to academic learning and career guidance, as well as other life skill measures. The project utilizes a cost-sharing approach, where employers provide ‘ on- the- job’ training with a stipend no less than the national minimum wage. It is aimed at providing decent and productive work and will target 10, 000 persons over the next four years. A number of agencies are partnering with the Ministry in the implementation of this programme. These include HEART/Trust NTA, Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL), Jamaica Employers’ Federation, Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions and Incorporated Master Builders’ Association . 8
To date: • 2,451 applications to the programme have been received and processed. • Approximately, 1,000 persons have been trained in numeracy, literacy and employability skills. • Approximately 200 persons have been placed with 40 companies involved in hospitality, manufacturing, construction and automotive industries. On the successful completion of training, participants are awarded certification in at least one skill area by HEART, which will position them to compete in the local and overseas job market. In this year’s budget $37 Million has been provided by the government to fund this programme. Again Mr. Speaker, the work permit fees are being utilised to assist in the training and certification of our youngsters. Mr. Speaker, I want to use this opportunity to thank those employers who have joined us in this national endeavour and encourage others to come on board. 9
The Youth Empowerment Strategy (YES) Project Mr. Speaker, another initiative being pursued by the Ministry is the Youth Empowerment Strategy. This project is specifically designed to target deportees and gangsters ages 16 to 30 years, who are at risk of becoming involved in criminality. The Ministry is working very closely with the police to identify persons who can benefit from this project. In the first phase, low income communities such as Allman Town, and Denham Town (both in Kingston) and Summerfield in Clarendon have been selected. So far, over 260 individuals have been registered for this programme and 21 projects have been funded in the amount of $1.5 Million. The activities funded include: • Education and training • Light manufacturing • Entrepreneurship • Agriculture For this year, another $5 Million has been provided in the budget. 10
The Steps to Work Project Steps to Work, a new dimension to the PATH Programme, is currently being piloted in Kingston and St. Andrew, Clarendon, Manchester, St. James and Trelawny. The aim of this Programme is to wean beneficiaries of the PATH Programme into training, employment and entrepreneurship. Skills training for suitable adults from PATH households will be undertaken by HEART, in collaboration with the Ministry, which will identify and monitor the progress of these participants. Persons will be encouraged and assisted to establish micro- businesses. This will involve business development, project and financial management and marketing to ensure the success of their ventures. In this financial year, 3,000 PATH beneficiaries will be assisted at a cost of $33 Million. 11
Recommend
More recommend
