Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Charles

NOT MANY Jamaican youth know of the exploits that earned Pearnel Charles the nickname 'Hurricane Charles' back in the 1980s when he was a member of Prime Minister Edward Seaga's Cabinet.

Now 71 years old, and in charge of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Mr. Charles said his new post has rejuvenated him.

"It is a case of taking the country to highe I have a passion to do for Jamaica what it has done for me," Mr. Charles told The Gleaner on Sunday.

Mr. Charles is one of three senior members of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) appointed by Prime Minister Bruce Golding to his Cabinet. Ruddy Spencer and Dwight Nelson are the others.

40 years' experience

With over 40 years' experience in the trade union movement, the Labour Ministry is right up Mr. Charles' street. He said restoring the confidence of the worker is a priority.

"I have long concluded that you don't need to have a strike in Jamaica. The rules and regulations are there so that, if you have a vigilant trade union and ministry, you can anticipate all of these things," he said. "If you have the ministry to intervene, the IDT (Industrial Disputes Tribunal) to hand down, why do you need a strike?"

Workplace visits

Mr. Charles said he plans to visit workplaces across the island to look at the state of facilities and conditions of workers. He warned that employers falling short of standards will be penalised.

"They are going to get in trouble with me because you are supposed to live up to the rules and live up to the laws," he said.

That tough stance made Mr. Charles a beacon in the Seaga government. He started out as Minister of Local Government, but later moved to the Ministry of Public Utilities and Transport. His aggression towards unruly minibus operators and stall owners got him tagged Hurricane Charles.

Mr. Charles, along with new Transport Minister Mike Henry, is one of the oldest members of the Golding Cabinet. He said his age is not a deterrent.

"Age has made me more experienced and given me more of a feeling that I must run this mile with even greater strength," he said.