Labour Ministry prepares to roll out Flexi-time education campaign

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has begun training officers in preparation for the passing of the Flexi Work legislation that is expected to be debated in parliament in August this year.

Last week the Ministry began the first in a series of sensitisation sessions at its North Street offices in Kingston.

Addressing the workers, Labour Minister, Derrick Kellier said that the training will give them “a clear understanding of how flexible work arrangements are expected to work and how it will impact other legislations.”

He added that the legislation is a “key part of the country’s economic growth agenda and one of the main items in the current IMF agreement”. Kellier also encouraged the officers to lead the charge in monitoring and supervising the execution of the Bill on the ground.

Acting Director of Legal Services at the Ministry, Camille Bennett Campbell said that the training sessions are part of a wider public education campaign that has started with its workers, and will be spread to the wider population before the Bill is passed later this year.

“The labour officers are the ones that people will have to give their complaints. It’s important for them [labour offices] to be aware of what the flexi work arrangement is all about including the rights of workers and the obligation of employers so that they are in a position to inform the public,” she said.

Campbell added that public education officers have been strategically placed across the island to assist the Ministry with its public education campaign.

The campaign is expected to include interactive meetings with workers and employers, engaging students and young people through workshops, presentations, and essay competitions, as well as citizens in the community setting.

The Flexi Work legislation is expected to create more employment, boost productivity, and create investment opportunities.

The sensitisation sessions will wrap up with the Labour Ministry’s western offices of St James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St Ann, and Trelawny on June 2.

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