The government is reviewing existing labor laws to address obstacles that make it difficult for new unions to access workplaces and compete with established organizations, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced.
Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne highlighted concerns that current regulations heavily favor existing unions, limiting the ability of workers to seek alternative representation.
He indicated that the government is considering legislative changes to ensure a fairer and more competitive union landscape.
“We have to make the playing field level for all unions. The existing laws protect established unions while making it extremely difficult for new ones to gain access to workers. That has to change,” Browne said.
Browne outlined several potential changes aimed at removing barriers for new unions, including:
- Lowering the threshold for worker support to trigger a vote on union representation from 30% to 20%.
- Granting reasonable workplace access to new unions once they reach a minimum level of employee interest.
- Reviewing legal loopholes that prevent workers from seeking alternative representation.
Under the current system, new unions often struggle to engage directly with employees because employers are not required to grant access, creating a major disadvantage compared to long-established labor organizations.
Browne argued that reforms are necessary to promote worker choice and accountability among unions.
He noted that existing unions must be held to higher standards, ensuring they provide effective representation and financial management rather than operating as exclusive entities with little competition.
The government is expected to engage stakeholders in consultations before finalizing any legislative changes. Browne reaffirmed that the aim is to empower workers by giving them real options for representation while maintaining a fair and structured labor environment.
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UNIONS NEED TO CUT TIES WITH POLITICAL PARTIES AND PUT WORKERS AND WORKERS INTEREST FIRST. REMOVE POLITICAL PARTIES FROM THE LABOUR DAY CELEBRATIONS…ONLY THE LABOUR MINISTER OUTSIDE OF UNION OFFICIALS SHOULD ADDRESS WORKERS ON LABOUR DAY. POLITICAL PARTIES NEED TO FIND THEIR OWN DAY AND LEAVE WORKERS DAY ALONE.
NUFF SAID
Great move to support workers’ rights.
will the government stay neutral in union matters?
Hope it leads to fairer wages and conditions. Workers need a voice.
If the all the Unions is for better working conditions,and for Workers,I don’t think it is fitting for politics, and politians to play any part in any union matter, unless it concern situation with workers, where the government not treating them right…
Shouldn’t this be lead by the Minister of Labour? aka Ugly B?
Oh Sarry, must be sleeping or blinking eyes on the jab.
So is govt non establish workers going to be fair game. Because all the money go to ATLU now even without the consent of workers. There was no voting just parliament decide. Force it on the back of the workers. Who is giving workers no voice. This administration. Question is A TLU getting the monies that are deducted from workers salary?
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