Charles wants redundancy fund

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Pearnel Charles, the minister of labour and social security, is calling for a fund to be put in place to aid workers who lose their jobs due to redundancy.

Charles was speaking at a Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) forum held for its clients in the information and communications technology and tourism industries at Secrets Resort and Spa in Montego Bay yesterday.

In his keynote address, Charles acknowledged that in an environment hampered by the global economic downturn, every day, managers must contemplate how to keep their businesses afloat.

"We do not subscribe to the notion that redundancy should be the first action (of a company) towards addressing a cash-flow problem or other economic problems. In fact, we believe that it impacts negatively on the company," Charles said.

"It is against this background that we have been encouraging employers and workers to agree on a fund that could assist both employers and workers when financial decisions have to be made in this regard. We know that there is still some lingering concern about this initiative, but let us begin to dialogue and further discuss the details" he added.

The minister also said the Jamaican employee must become multi-skilled.

"The Government is cognizant of the intense competition in the global marketplace, and so we have been encouraging our people, especially investors and managers, to invest more in human-capital development through an ongoing training and education approach," he said.

"We need to continue to encourage and develop a multi-skilled workforce to keep our workers at the workplace" Charles added.