BEC Head calls for sensitivity, respect at bargaining table
Thu, 05/05/2016 - 12:00am
SENSITIVITY and respect at the bargaining table are mandatory for both the union and the employer.
So says Executive Director of the Barbados Employers’ Confederation (BEC), Tony Walcott, as he addressed May Day Celebrations on Monday where he told the crowd in attendance that “open and regular dialogue and engagement will go a long way to ensuring stability in the industrial relations climate, which is critical to our economic fortunes”.
Walcott stated that Trade Unions still remain relevant, even in a rapidly changing working environment.
He said looking towards the rest of 2016 and beyond, there will be many challenges which the Social Partners have to address with some urgency.
“Key among these is that of restoring significant growth in the economy; it is the simultaneous lifting of the level of individual and collective productivity. This should redound to the creation of expanding employment opportunities. With increased productivity translating to improved earnings, we will be better placed to offer workers shares of any profits which may arise. The emerging phenomenon of jobless growth is one which we must work assiduously to reverse.
“The real problem of jobless growth occurs when the rate of employment growth fails to keep pace with that of GDP growth, that is the GDP growth is not strong enough to stimulate significant and rapid job creation. In order to respond to this problem, one has to be clear of the cause of the problem.
“The notion of below par productivity is fast becoming a workplace nightmare. The old adage of a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay is still relevant.
“As tripartite partners, we recently addressed the impact of stress on the workplace and its implication on productivity. It is a collective challenge we must all address as a matter of urgency.”
Another challenge which Walcott says must be addressed in joint collaboration, includes the strengthening of relationships aimed at improving occupational health and safety systems in the workplace.
“Our target must be zero accidents or near misses in the workplace.”
The Executive Director also drew reference to the Employments Right Act, saying there are still challenges with interpretation of some of its provisions.
“I renew my call for the urgent development of regulations to govern the administration of this Act,” he said. (JH)