The Gaston Browne administration tabled and passed the Labour Code Amendment Bill 2019 in the Low House on Wednesday.
With this amendment, contract workers will be considered full-time workers under certain conditions.
Attorney General Stedroy “Cutie” Benjamin explains how the change in the labour code will work.
“If that worker’s fix term contract has been renewed by the employer on two or more occasions after initial issuance. B, the total period for which the worker has been employed amounts to a period of one year or more.”
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the changes will prevent employers from using short-term contracts as a means of getting out of paying severance.
“The employer is seeking to avoid paying severance down the road or to reduce the amount severance payable. They are conveniently using these short-term contracts thereby undermining the benefits of the employee; It is an abuse…”
Under this bill, workers can guarantee or severance payment or continue working under the new entity if the business folds or sold.
Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle gave the bill his blessings but called on the government to continue working for the people.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Jamale Pringle supported this, but not Trevor Walker. Who is the real opposition leader? Should it be Trevor instead of Pringle? Did the GG make a mistake by swearing in Pringle instead of Walker? Time will tell.
You seem to miss the relevance of this very important piece of legislation. For years, workers have been used and abused under this downright unfair system. Employees were able to hire workers on a short time basis, and replace them before they are eligible for severance. They will be rehired again, and again, and after 10 or 15 years, they will still not be full time employees.
Trevor Walker, as a businessman, has declared his hand. To hell with workers rights and benefits. Barbudans ought to take note.
Correction: “Employers were able to hire workers on a short time basis, and replace them before they are eligible for severance. They will be rehired again, and again, and after 10 or 15 years, they will still not be full time employees”.
What about protection for workers when companies file for bankruptcy?
Good move, now lets deal with the issue of equity the labour code mentions, but never properly defined how employees get their share
Comments are closed.