IN A rare show of solidarity, the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security have joined ranks in rejecting aspects of a report by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) which accused the country of failing to apply and enforce core labour standards.The report said there were restrictions on the right to collective bargaining and the right to strike which were in contravention of International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. The fact is, however, that there is no ILO convention which deals with any right to strike; and that is in keeping with the provisions of our own Labour Relations and Industrial Dispute Act (LRIDA). This has been pointed out by the minister of labour, who added that the freedom to strike is recognised and respected under local legislation.
The legislation also recognises the reciprocal freedom of the employer to act as they see fit, under the law, when workers exercise the freedom to strike. This balancing of freedoms and responsibilities is as it should be for equity in labour relations.
The President of the JCTU, Senator Dwight Nelson, has also lambasted the International Confederation for false conclusions which he said were based on false premises. He also cited the relevant provisions under local legislation.
We welcome criticisms from international bodies and organisations; and while the LRIDA is not perfect, the claim of the International Confederation that Jamaica is in breach of ILO core labour standards is flawed and inaccurate.
The confederation has also claimed that "child labour is a serious problem in Jamaica, including the worst forms of child labour such as prostitution and begging". On this matter, the minister has taken the position that in the international scheme of things, which has to be the reference point for the ICFTU operating in 145 countries, Jamaica is barely on the radar screen among states with serious child labour problems.
We cannot pretend that all is well in labour relations in Jamaica. But the country has a proud record over the last 60 years of progressively protecting the rights of employees and seeking to balance those rights with the equivalent rights of employers. We can benefit from criticisms but should forcefully reject false premises and conclusions which would tarnish our image. It is good to see both labour leadership and political leadership doing this together in response to the inaccurate elements of the International Confederation report.
