BuchananLATE LAST year, Labour Minister, Donald Buchanan, tabled in Parliament, a Green Paper on flexible work arrangements.
A joint select committee of both Houses of Parliament was subsequently establish to examine the document and make recommendations on the way forward.
In the House highlights the advantages of a flexitime work week as contained in the Green Paper.
The advantages presented are reports from the Jamaican private sector, as well as from various countries. The report from 22 countries is contained in an International Labour Organisation (ILO) publication entitled 'Negotiating Flexibility'. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security also conducted research from reports supplied by some of these countries. Set out below are some of the advantages:
Increased productivity and cost effectiveness within companies.
More attractive investment climate.
Increase in employment as persons will now be able to exploit part-time work opportunities, second employment and job sharing.
More time for family and personal interests.
Reduced absenteeism.
Increase in taxes as a result of increased employment.
Less transportation and meal costs per week as a result of possible four-day work week.
Maximisation of rent/lease expenses.
Less traffic during the usual peak hours.
Allows companies to take advantage of off-peak rates (on Saturdays and Sundays) on overheads such as utilities.
More efficient use of capital resources. In manufacturing more productive work days per year and use of machinery for longer hours each day.
Enables workers to co-ordinate work hours with school hours and other parental responsibilities.
Wider service to customers due to varied opening hours and more business days.
Chargeable work hours will not be lost due to employees taking care of personal business.
TIME TABLE FOR INTRODUCTION
The Ministry of Labour expects to complete the consultation and dialogue process by March 31, 2002. The proposed legislative changes would then be presented to Parliament for debate.
MONITORING & IMPLEMENTATION UNIT WITHIN THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR
The purpose of this unit would be to monitor, assist and ensure compliance with agreements concluded under flexible work arrangements within the various sectors.
ITEMS OF AGREEMENT FROM FLEXIBLE WORK GROUP DISCUSSIONS
Work week over (7) seven days
Work week consisting of (40) forty hours
Existing Collective Labour Agreements to continue to completion
Amendments to existing laws and regulations, these are:
Town and Communities Act & Regulations
The Shop and Offices Act & Regulations
The Apprenticeship Act & Regulations
The Minimum Wage Order - Garment Making Trade.
The Employment of Women in Factories Regulations (1961)
The Holiday with Pay Order (1973)
Overtime payable after (40) forty hours within the work week
Public education programme on flexible work arrangements
Management and trade unions should bargain over a broad range of flexible work arrangements as listed:
Flexi-time, part-time work with benefits, telecommuting, shift swaps, compressed work week, making overtime voluntary and job sharing.
