The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR Minister Shane Gibson yesterday emphasized the need for a strengthened social safety net for workers in cases of redundancy, telling Parliament his ministry was looking at ways to “level the playing field” and ensure measures were in place for employees to receive compensation.

During his contribution to the 2013-2014 Budget debate, Mr Gibson said: “With respect to the upgrading of our legislation, I must emphasise the need for a social safety net for workers in the event of redundancies.

“We have begun the process of looking in the region at countries of similar size to look at how employees are treated. We have had many instances where, particularly foreign-owned companies, would have closed down in the Bahamas.

“We have had instances with Bahamian companies as well, where workers were not compensated. It is important for workers to be properly compensated whenever they are made redundant, and we are looking to level the playing field with that as well.”

Mr Gibson added that the necessary draft amendments to the Employment Act were nearing completion.

But he said that despite the Government’s commitment to review the minimum wage, any decision to increase it would take place only after full discussions with employers, trade unions and other stakeholders.

“At the end of the day we all agree that the minimum wage in the country is too low. We will have full consultation, after which we will determine if and when the minimum wage will be increased,” Mr Gibson said.

He added that thee Safety and Health at Work Act are being finalised by the Attorney General’s Office, and should be completed soon.

Mr Gibson said his Ministry had taken steps to put in place a proper career path for health and safety inspectors, and theupgrading of the health and safety inspectorate.

He added that the Government was aggressively moving forward with its plans for the establishment of a National Training Agency, which he said would be the “catalyst” for competency-based training in The Bahamas.

“The National Training Agency will aggressively address the challenge of preparing young adults, in particular those 25, and who make up 32 per cent of unemployed persons, for successful entry to the workforce,” Mr Gibson said.

“This is critical to the development of a dynamic and productive workforce that will be able to keep pace with a progressive and expanding economy, evidenced by the development projects that the 2013-2014 Budget foreshadows,” said Mr Gibson.

Mr Gibson said the Agency will be flexible and responsive to the requirement sof the workforce, being a network of suitable training institutions, organisations and programmes.

“The agency will help to improve employable skills and competencies, and to transform the undesirable attitudes and behaviours towards work. It is important that this entity is stakeholder driven,” said Mr Gibson.

He added that the National Training Agency will commence its training function with the introduction of several pilot programmes that will begin in July, and run an average of 10 weeks each. Mr Gibson estimated that the agency would take on 2,000 to 2,500 trainees annually.