Flexi work talks resume

Labour Minister, Pearnel Charles is of the view that the introduction of flexi-work time at the workplace can boost productivity and help to cushion the effects of the global financial crisis.



A joint select committee of Parliament chaired by the labour minister has resumed discussions on the issue.



Mr. Charles told the Gleaner Power 106 News that the government will be pushing to have the discussions concluded this year.



According to the labour minister the flexi work week is more urgent now than when the discussions first started.



While University and Allied Workers Union, UAWU President Lambert Brown is not against the principle of the flexi work week he does not believe it will necessarily address the current impact of the economic crisis.



The introduction of Flexible Work Arrangements as part of the Labour Market Reform process has been the subject of discussion at the Labour Advisory Committee since 1997.



The committee comprises representatives of the Labour Ministry, the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions and the Jamaica Employers Federation.



A Green Paper on the issue was tabled in Parliament in 2001, and a Joint Select Committee appointed to review the issue and report to the House.



However, no report has been made and the work of several committees has remained incomplete since then.



The joint select committee looking at the issue is expected to resume its discussions on March 11.