With the implementation of VAT by September 1, 2012, Kenny's administration has seen wisdom in enacting the Labour Code one month before VAT starts taking its bite. Many persons are not aware that the Labour code has been passed in the House since last yearto be exact.
The labour and industrial climate here in Saint Lucia is expected to
improve significantly now that the much awaited Labour Code has been passed by
the nation's lawmakers.
In presenting the
Labour Code Amendment Bill in Parliament on Tuesday February 15 2011, Saint
Lucia`s Labour Minister Honourable Edmund Estaphane says the amended Labour Code
is designed to facilitate a level playing field between employees and employers.
“The purpose of the
Labour Code is to bring about the necessary legislation relating to labour and
industrial relations in Saint Lucia in a consolidated way that is sensitive to
existing local practices, without compromising existing International Labour
Standards.”
The minister says
the amended Labour Code stipulates workers' rights and responsibilities and that
of their employers.
“We are a
responsible government, we promised the people of Saint Lucia that we would
revisit the Labour Code and we have done just that.
“We chose to review
the code not because it was convenient and easy but because it was the
responsible thing to do. By doing so this government listened to the voices of
the people and provided the opportunity for trade unions, employers and the
general public to further examine those contentious provisions of the Labour
Code so that issues could have been settled amicably.”
Now that the
Parliament has approved the amendments to the Labor Code the document will be
forwarded to the Upper Chamber of the House of Assembly for debate and
discussion by Senators.
Once the Senate has
ratified the amendments the Labour Code, it will be presented to the island`s
Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, to affix her signature
to make the code law.
The Labour Code was
initiated in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation,
(ILO).
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