By Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterTHE LABOUR Advisory Committee (LAC), a tripartite committee comprising Government representatives, trade unions and employers has agreed on an 11- point plan to help transform labour administration across the island.
The agreement was reached over the weekend at a retreat with Labour and Social Security Minister, Horace Dalley.
Senator Dwight Nelson, president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) who had before raised some concerns about the Ministry's approach to labour relations, told The Gleaner that "it (the retreat) was a frank and candid exercise." He added that "the tripartite laid on the table in a very unreserved way our concerns. I am satisfied that the retreat was a productive one and we have established a basis in moving forward."
AREAS OF AGREEMENT
For his part Mr. Dalley said: "I am heartened to know that all parties have invested this time to pursue the shared vision, where we put aside the traditional adversarial and confrontational approach in preference for vigorous but respectful dialogue to ensure prosperous companies, more jobs and wealth for the Jamaican people."
The committee agreed that there was need for ongoing co-operation between parties in the process of labour management. LAC also agreed to take a lead role in educating the public about the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and labour market reform.
Additionally, it accepted the Minister's invitation to meet with counterparts from Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, ahead of the January 1, 2005 commencement of the CSME.
The tripartite also agreed to pursue regional and all relevant labour market issues as it relates to the CSME and that it should become more institutionalised so as to lead the transformation.
