Susan Smith, Staff ReporterSENATOR BRUCE Golding says there is a shortcoming in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) as it relates to discussing the harmonisation of labour laws.
According to Senator Golding, there is no reference in the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to
harmonise the labour market in the region.
He believes the absence of this and other pertinent issues not yet discussed with the Caribbean
people make the CSME seriously flawed before its implementation.
Senator Golding was addressing members of the Jamaica Employers' Federation at their CEO breakfast held yesterday at the Knutsford Court Hotel.
"One of the serious deficiencies in the arrangements for the CSME and one of the most glaring
omissions from the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas is the absence of any reference to labour market
harmonisation," said Mr. Golding
He said achieving a single market and economy speaks of harmonisation in many areas in order to deal with the rights of establishment. He explained that issues such as the movement of capital and certain categories of labour, harmonisation of agricultural policies, the harmonisation of policies for sustainable tourism development, natural resources management and consumer protection all have to be brought in alignment for the CSME.
"Yet, there is not a single
reference in the treaty for harmonising labour laws," reiterated the Senator in surprise.
Aware that there are different sets of labour laws governing each CARICOM state, Senator Golding says the focus of the CSME really ought to be on the unification of these policies and not simply the harmonisation of policies.
"Harmonisation of policies won't make it work. It is the unification of policies that will," he said.
