Beef up unit!

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT needs revamping if it is to play a meaningful role in helping to solve the problems of people who turn to it when they find themselves on the breadline, says trade unionist Caswell Franklyn.
His view comes as job losses are expected to increase in the face of a continuing recession and warnings from businessmen that they may not be able to maintain employment levels in 2012 as they did this year. The last unemployment statistics put the figure at 12.1 per cent.
In response, a top labour officer said affected persons would soon get a better hearing when the Employment Rights Bill goes to Parliament.
“We are now in the process of preparing . . . for presentation to parliament the Employment Rights Bill. When the . . . act comes into operation, there will be a system of an employment rights tribunal. Rather than sending a person to an attorney, the Labour Department will be able to refer the matter to the [tribunal] who will adjudicate on the matter,” said Acting Chief Labour Officer Victor Felix yesterday. (JS)
Read the full story in today’s SATURDAY SUN.