I
; I
STATEMENT ON
LABOUR MARKET REFORMS
BY RT.HON. P. J. PATTERSON
PRIME MINISTER
AS JAMAICA COMPLETES THE
PROCESS OF TRANSITION TO A
MARKET-ORIENTED ECONOMY,
THERE IS A NEED TO ADDRESS THE
ROLE OF LABOUR IN A NEW
EQUATION AND TO DETERMINE
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WHAT REFORMS ARE NECESSARY, IN
LIGHT OF THE CHANGING GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT.
AT ITS RETREAT LAST
NOVEMBER, THE CABINET DECIDED
TO APPOINT A NATIONAL
COMMITTEE TO UNDERTAKE THE
NECESSARY STUDY AND MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LABOUR
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MARKET REFORMS, IN ORDER TO
FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN
EFFICIENT MARKET THAT ALLOWS
FOR EQUITY BETWEEN THE VARIOUS
PARTNERS IN THE ECONOMY -
GOVERNMENT, CAPITAL, LABOUR
AND CONSUMER.
IN ORDER TO DEVELOP A TRULY
MODERN AND COMPETITIVE
ECONOMY, THE ROLE AND
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CONTRIBUTION OF EVERY SECTOR
NEEDS TO BE REVISITED.
TO INCREASE PRODUCTION,
IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND
EXPAND EMPLOYMENT, THE LABOUR
MARKET MUST PROVIDE THE
FLEXIBILITY, SUITABILITY AND
MOBILITY OF SKILLS WHICH ARE A
PREREQUISITE FOR SUSTAINED
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ECONOMIC GROWTH.
WE HAVE TO ASSESS THE
CURRENT, MEDIUM AND LONG TERM
REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB
MARKET AND UPGRADE THE SKILL
LEVELS OF THE EXISTING WORKFORCE
TO SECURE SUBSTANTIAL
IMPROVEMENTS.
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WE HAVE TO PROVIDE NEW
MECHANISMS BY WHICH WORKERS
CAN SECURE A MEANINGFUL STAKE
IN THE ECONOMIC OWNERSHIP OF
THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION AND
BUSINESS ENTERPRISES THROUGH
EMPLOYEE SHARE OWNERSHIP
PROGRAMMES AND OTHER
PARTICIPATORY MECHANISMS.
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THE RIGHT OF THE WORKERS TO
ORGANISE AND TO JOIN THE TRADE
UNION OF THEIR CHOICE WILL
ALWAYS BE RECOGNISED AND
FULLY PROTECTED, BUT NO
COUNTRY CAN AFFORD TO ACHIEVE
THIS BY A CONSTANT STATE OF
TRADE UNION RIVALRY THAT
RESULTS IN UNENDING INDUSTRIAL
UNREST.
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IN THE LIGHT OF OUR
CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE, WE
MUST SEEK TO IMPROVE AND MAKE
THE NECESSARY ALTERATIONS,
WHEREVER POSSIBLE,IN THE
PROCESSES OF COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING, LABOUR CONCILIATION
AND THE RESOLUTION OF
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES. THIS
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EXERCISE ENTAILS A REVIEW OF
THE EXISTING MACHINERY,
INCLUDING STAFFING OF THE
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND THE
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES TRIBUNAL.
THE COMMITTEE WILL LOOK AT
LAWS, REGULATIONS AND
PRACTICES REGARDING THE HEAL TH
AND SAFETY OF WORKERS IN BOTH
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THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
IT WILL EVALUATE THE SERVICES
WHICH PRESENTLY EXIST, SUCH AS
TRANSPORTATION, SECURITY AND
HEAL TH, WHICH ALL IMPACT ON THE
EFFICIENCY OF LABOUR.
THE COMMITTEE WILL BEGIN ITS
WORK WITHIN A FORTNIGHT AND
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SUBMIT A PRELIMINARY REPORT, SO
THAT ACTION CAN BEGIN
IMMEDIATELY ON THE MOST URGENT
ASPECTS.
CABINET, TODAY, GAVE
APPROVAL TO THE TERMS OF
REFERENCE AND THE COMPOSITION
OF THE COMMITTEE.
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IT WILL BE CHAIRED BY
PROFESSOR GEORGE EATON.
THE COMMITTEE WILL
NA TU RALL V RECEIVE SUBMISSIONS
AND PERMIT ORAL
REPRESENTATIONS FROM ALL
INTERESTED GROUPS AND
INDIVIDUALS.
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THE FULL TERMS OF
REFERENCE OF THE COMMITTEE
WILL BE RELEASED.
FEBRUARY 20, 1995
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