THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR is moving "full steam" ahead with efforts to modernise pertinent labour legislation and provide a decent work environment for all Barbadians.

This was announced by Minister of State with responsibility for Employment, Labour Relations and the Social Partnership, Senator Arni Walters, who revealed that by mid-October discussion would resume with the social partners and stakeholders on the much-debated Employment Rights Bill.

Unfair dismissals

That Bill, when enacted, will prohibit the unfair dismissal of an employee for a reason that relates to race, colour, gender, marital status, religion, age and political opinion, among others.

Speaking at the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) 7th Biennial Delegates' Conference at Solidarity House last week, Senator Walters added that several pieces of legislation were also being fine-tuned as Government pursues its policy of securing social justice for Barbadian workers.

These include trade union recognition, the introduction of a Shops Order 2008 and the Holiday With Pay Act.

Walters said the Labour Department was in the process of putting together a draft bill which captured key elements of the CARICOM Model Harmonisation Act regarding trade union recognition. As soon as the draft is completed, it would be circulated to the social partners and stakeholders for discussion and comment.

With regard to the Shops Order Act 2008, Senator Walters said the document was presently before the social partners and would be discussed shortly. "It is proposed that this Order will remove the restriction of opening hours on shops while at the same time ensure that employees covered under this legislation are not disadvantaged by the new arrangements," the minister said.

Amendments are also being made to the Holiday With Pay Act, among them, an increase in fines and in some cases to bring some clarification to elements of the legislation.

(BGIS)