By Andrew Green, Staff ReporterJAMAICA EMPLOYERS' Federation (JEF) is working to help develop Jamaican workplaces into a world-class environment, according to JEF president Audrey Hinchcliffe.
The celebration of National Employers' Month during September, being marked for the first time this year, will focus on some of the key developments taking place in the sector, she said. Mrs. Hinchcliffe was speaking at the launch of Employers' Month at the JEF headquarters in St. Andrew on Wednesday.
"Our ambition is to be recognised as a leading world-class employers' organisation," she said of the JEF's plans. This is in order to facilitate the development of local and Caribbean entrepreneurs.
Jamaica now exists in a highly competitive global environment, she said. New demands are being made on enterprises to perform at levels beyond the standards to which they had become accustomed. "We need to ensure that our people are prepared for the new environment," Mrs. Jacqueline Lloyd-Coke, the JEF executive director told the Financial Gleaner in an interview yesterday. To take on the emerging threats, the organisation is working, "to ensure that employers and employees are partners."
WEALTH CREATION
Jamaica's employers have for too long been seen merely as producers of goods and services, Mrs. Lloyd-Coke said. The creation of wealth has been seen in a negative light in Jamaica.
"We must promote wealth creation as being beneficial to all," the executive director said. "Employers are the backbone of the economy."
Employers' Month highlights the achievements and contributions of employers to the country, Mrs. Hinchcliffe said. A series of events are scheduled, with the handing over of the publication, 'How to be an employer of choice' already being conducted yesterday.
The next activity is a seminar on the implications of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy for Jamaica's employers. That is scheduled for next week Wednesday at the Knutsford Court Hotel.
"There will be a number of events so you will be hearing more about them as we go along," Mrs. Hinchcliffe said. Addressing Jamaica's employers, she said, "We need your support as we embark on a programme of rebranding the JEF through programmes of development and enlargement that will enable us to provide first class service to you, our members and partners."
Established in 1958 as a trade union to represent employers, the organisation aims to strengthen the ability of employers to optimise their competitiveness and promote workplace harmony, Mrs. Hinchcliffe said. Over the last three years the JEF has embarked on a programme of internal restructuring to help it achieve its goals.
