IN CONTINUATION of collaboration and dialogue between both organisations the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) and the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) met recently to discuss several matters of mutual interest, and to develop common positions on a number of issues which are critical to the workplace and have implications for Jamaica. Further discussion on these matters is scheduled to take place at the tripartite level.
Both the JCTU and JEF condemned the insidious practice of extortion on construction and other related sites and support the Masterbuilders Association in its quest to work towards eliminating the use of threats, intimidation and coercion as features of employment practices associated with contracts.
The JCTU and JEF are at one with the incorporated Masterbuilders Association for:-
(1) A reduction in the influence of political representatives on how
(a) Contracts are awarded
(b) Persons are hired on construction sites
(2) That security forces should be assigned to provide significant presence at the commencement of all construction projects so long as appropriate applications have been made for such presence.
(3) That government with IMAJ's assistance develop appropriate education programmes to inform and sensitise the nation on the facts of extortion on construction sites, its cost and the need to eliminate.
