Minister for Labour and Gender Relations Dr Virgina Albert-Poyotte has called for a review of the Labour Act as government steps up its campaign with plans to enact a Minimum Wage or Liveabale Wage structure in the country.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of this year’s Labour Day celebrations, the minister highlighted some loopholes in the Labour Act that needs to be rectified. The May Day activities, held on Wednesday, May1, featured an Open Session with speeches from government officials and trade union representatives.
The former trade unionist explained that the authorities utilised the International Labour Union (ILO) standards to formulate mechanisms for implementation of the Minimum Wage or Liveable Wage structure.
“When we look at the Minimum Wage (criteria) there are a number of factors that you have to take into consideration regarding the cost of living and other things in the country,” Dr. Albert-Poyotte stated.
In formulating the regulations, she said, the authorities reviewed the various labour mechanisms in the region and instituted the ILO Convention standards.
According to the ILO regulations, she said, every individual is entitled to work within the specific time frame of an hour to earn a minimum wage “and close to a liveable wage.”
While noting that certain sectors are not represented by a trade union, the minister stated that nonetheless, these workers too are entitled to a minimum wage cap-off based on their respective field of work.
Citing the importance of unionized membership within the overall industrial relations environment, Dr Albert-Poyotte declared: “The trade unions need to be bit more aggressive in educating persons and workers about why it is important to be unionized …and to be a bargaining agent because they have not been recognized by the employer.”
The minister explained that the minimum requirements to obtain union representation is that the respective trade union must have at least 50% of the employees’ support to act as the bargaining agent for these employees.
“To be a bargaining agent, you have to take a poll within the institution …and you must get 50% plus one of the members who are registered with your union to be the bargaining agent,” she said.