PRESIDENT OF the Senate Dr Oswald Harding's vote broke deadlock on a divide during the committee stage of deliberations on an amendment to The Factories Act. The result of the vote was eight for and a similar number against to clause two of the bill.

The amended clause gives the minister powers to make regulations and to set fines for breaches of The Factories Act.

It is with regard to this clause that the president sided with Government senators, voting yes.

The bill was later passed with four amendments.

Under the amended Factories Act, stiffer fines and penalties are coming for unregistered factories and persons who breach the provisions of the statute.

The 1968 legislation contains fines and penalties, which no longer serve as a deterrent to persons who continue to contravene the law.

No registration

Earlier, Senator Lightbourne told her colleagues that some 600 factories were now operating without being registered. There are a little more than 2,000 registered factories operating in the country.

Lightbourne said that many factories were in flagrant breach of the provisions of the current law.

Increased fines and penalties are being introduced into the new law for non-registration of factories and obstruction of the chief inspector in carrying out his duties.

In the first instance, for non-registration, the fine will move from $100 to $100,000, while persons who obstruct an inspector while he is carrying out an inspection could now be fined $500,000, up from the current $200. A resident magistrate could impose a custodial sentence, not exceeding six months, in cases of a default in payment.

Senator Golding suggested that until the violation was corrected, a cease-and-desist order be included in the bill.

He also indicated that the offender should be allowed to pay a civil fine instead of facing criminal charges.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com