THE EXECUTIVES of the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) have lauded trade unionists and government officials on the signing of the two-year Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU). "I am delighted to see that there is social dialogue taking place. Employees represented by the trade unions are coming together in an attempt to carve a path which will result in greater job security, greater accountability on the part of government and a move in the right direction toward achieving economic stability," Executive Director of the JEF, Mrs. Jacqueline Coke Lloyd commented.
NEGOTIATIONS
The press launch of the JEF Convention 2004 highlighted the fact that she was pleased with how smoothly negotiations relating to the sugar industry had been completed and stated, "This heralds the start to what will be a tremendous year of talks with trade unionists and government officials. You see, gone are the days when there would be a deadlock and long drawn out proceedings. It is a very optimistic sign and I do hope that other organisations will follow suit, after all it is the only way forward.
"The JEF has always been of the view that the time has long past when members of the tripartite group should all work towards country first. If we fail to do this then we will continue to deprive our children and our children's children of a worthwhile future.
"The signing of the MOU is a clear indication that through dialogue and consultation those who wish Jamaica well can find the basis for solutions to our country's economic problems. The JEF hopes that the parties to this MOU will do all within their power to win the confidence of their constituencies in an effort to ensure that the principles agreed will be sustained."
Has precedence now been set?
The Executive arm of the JEF thinks that the Sugar Industry talks and the MOU signal the setting of precedence. "The members of the political directorate have agreed to lead the country by example through the upcoming period of wage restraint on public sector workers. These efforts must be applauded as the JEF always maintains that negotiations and consensus are critical success factors in building bridges, moving forward and creating a framework for rational discussion.
As Minister Daley said if we are to go global, then we must transform our local labour market to be adaptable to meeting challenges of global competitiveness," stated Mrs Lloyd.
Mrs. Lloyd is hoping that this level of discourse will continue and further states "The JEF would like to see similar negotiations and resolutions between other employers in the private sector and trade unions. The JEF promises as it has always done in the past to lend support to any initiative which can create an environment conducive to investment, economic growth, job creation and job preservation. The parties to this MOU must now work assiduously towards achieving these objectives.
