Not a day has passed that the Government has not been pilloried for its management of this country. That in itself might not be a bad thing because it would serve to keep them on their toes, instead it has made them paranoid. However, that level of pillorying has become the norm to the extent that they are being criticised for doing something positive.
They have introduced the Employment Rights Bill to Parliament and are being condemned by, of all people, a labour party whose foundation was to secure the rights of the labouring masses. If you pass St. Michael’s Row and hear a rumbling sound that would be the Right Excellent Grantley Adams turning in his grave. This is not to say that the Employment Rights Bill is perfect, but it is a step in the right direction.
In opposing this bill, it would appear that the Barbados Labour Party is more interested in protecting the rights of the employer class, those with money, than they are in protecting the working class. Usually, I don’t listen to debates from the House of Assembly because I find that the level and content leave much to be desired. Nonetheless, I find myself in situations where I can’t help but to listen. Consequently, I was able to hear the Opposition complain that certain provisions were onerous, notwithstanding that those feared provisions already exist under other legislation. In essence they were not prepared and were complaining for the sake of complaining.
Also, they complained about the provisions for reinstatement in the case where employee is wrongfully terminated. The bill provides that the employee would be entitled to receive up to a year’s pay if the employer did not reinstate the worker. Rather than complain about the draconian nature of that provision; a true labour party would welcome it as a deterrent against unscrupulous employers who knowingly wrongfully dismiss workers, knowing full well that all they would be required to pay is the meagre amount provided under the Severance Payments Act. That is reminiscent of the time when a rich person would say to some unfortunate fellow that I would kick you and go to court and pay $10 for you. That provision only seeks to punish an employer for his wrongdoing. I hope that the Government would not succumb to calls for its removal. Rather than complain about this provision the Opposition should be urging employers not to wrongfully terminate workers so that it would not come into play.
I would like to go on record as complimenting the Minister of Labour and by extension the Government for taking the courageous step of bringing the legislation to Parliament. However, I would like to say to them that this Employment Rights Bill is a work in progress and would require adjustments as time goes on. I am not happy with the bill but I think that it is a step in the right direction.
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