Employers assured of consultations

Employers are being assured consultations will be held before Government introduces minimum wages and conditions for workers in specific sectors. Minister of Labour, Social Partnership and Third Sector, Colin Jordan gave the commitment during today's post Cabinet press briefing. He was at the time answering questions on the Labour Clauses Concessions Bill, which will be debated in the House of Assembly next week. The Bill seeks to establish minimum wages and other conditions which should be offered to workers by businesses benefitting from tax concessions. It was the subject of discussion at a major private sector meeting on Wednesday. But stressing that labour clauses are nothing new for Barbados, Mr. Jordan has confirmed the input of the private sector was sought during the drafting of the Bill and as a result amendments were made. He says what will be debated in Parliament is framework legislation, but discussions on the rates will begin sector by sector, starting with tourism, once the Bill is passed. Mr. Jordan says the conditions set out in the Bill have been pulled from existing pieces of labour legislation, including the Employment Rights and Safety and Health at Work Acts. The Minister has also revealed what options employers will have if they disagree with actions taken under the Bill. Subscribe to CBC News: http://www.youtube.com/cbcbarbados Connect with the CBC News Barbados Website: https://www.cbc.bb/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CBCNews.bb/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbcnewsbarbados Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBCBARBADOS #CBCTV8 #CBCNewsNight