ONE of the facilities of the parliamentary system which far too few citizens use is the opportunity to influence legislation by responding to Green Papers. In the Westminster tradition, a Green Paper is a legislative document open for public discussions and public input on the way to becoming a White Paper for parliamentary debate and vote.Labour Minister, Donald Buchanan, tabled in Parliament last Tuesday a Green Paper of proposals for the introduction of a flexitime work arrangement, with the objective of attracting "reasonable, informed and objective suggestions".
The flexitime issue has already drawn strongly opposing responses from churches and trade unions on the "against" side, and employer organisations and the Government on the "for" side. This may be an oversimplification of the lines of the debate over flexitime so far, but the key points of differences seem to be the status of days of worship and of weekend and overtime arrangements with flexitime, versus the economic imperative of competitiveness, growth and increased productivity.
Secondly, what the Green Paper has done is to seek out the thinking of the Government for informed public response. Too many important discussions become a dialogue of the deaf shouting at each other. A document for study, reflection and response can assist an informed and reasonable discussion.
A comprehensive public education programme has been promised by the minister. Too often public education on governmental matters are poorly funded or poorly executed.
Time and time again polls have indicated that the average person remains unaware of the issue, much more to be well informed about it as a participative citizen in a democracy. The strong interest of the churches, trade unions and employers on the flexitime issue, with their wide networks among citizens, can be a big plus for public education, or obstacle, depending on how used.
In many ways, flexitime is merely extending and formalizing what already obtains in multiple sectors of the economy. No new law is proposed for flexitime, but modifications of a slate of existing work-related legislation.
Flexitime arrangements present both challenges and opportunity to all the parties. The fundamental constitutional rights of freedom of belief and worship, as well as the gains workers have made in industrial relations. must be protected, indeed enhanced by flexitime arrangements.
In the words of Minister Buchanan the aim must be to bring about a new industrial relations order that is "negotiated, agreed with, and beneficial to the whole society". The Green Paper - and responses to it - are important steps in that direction.
