Chen to lead Carib employers group
Published:Sunday | May 29, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Jamaica's chief spokesman for employers, Wayne Chen, is to take on a similar job at the regional level.
On May 19 in Barbados, Chen was elected president of Caribbean Employers' Confederation (CEC) at its 51st annual general meeting. He succeeds Marcel Meyer of Suriname.
The businessman, who heads up the SuperPlus chain of supermarkets, is president of the Jamaica Employers Federation.
In his acceptance speech, Chen pledged to inject the group into regional discussions aimed at driving development and trade.
"Governments come and go and think in five-year spans so it is important that regional non-state actors ensure the focus and continuity of policy initiatives that enhance the development of the Caribbean for the long-term benefit of its people," said Chen, quoted in a CEC press release on his new role.
"It is in this context, and the promotion of tripartism and social dialogue, and the expansion of decent work, that the CEC has an important role to play."
CEC country membership spans 14 markets.
Chen's team includes:
1st Vice-President: Ferdinand Welzijn, president of the Suriname Trade and Industries Association;
2nd Vice-President: Vern Gill, president of the St Lucia Employers' Association;
Director: Clement Carty, president of the Dominica Employers' Federation;
Director: Raymond Eytle, executive council member of the JEF;
Director: Acres Stowe, president of Antigua and Barbuda Employers' Federation; and
Director: Gwendoline McLaren, member of the board of the Employers' Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago.