MINISTER of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles has pledged to represent the interests of the island’s master builders to the government, so as to push job creation.

“I want to hear from you,” he told executive members of the Incorporated Master Builders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ) at a meeting held at his North Street offices last Wednesday.

“Tell us what we at the ministry can do to put things in place and what representation we can make to the government in order to allow this part of the country to move forward, which is jobs, jobs, and more jobs,” Charles stated. “If we (ministry) can become that medium through which we can work together, this country is going to move forward on a different path.”

Citing the large turnout of Jamaican labourers at the ministry’s offices last week, to apply for construction jobs in Canada, Charles said that despite beliefs to the contrary, Jamaicans want to work.

“They heard that work is here; thousands of them came,” he pointed out.

On Wednesday he also encouraged the IMAJ executive to promote a cordial industrial climate between employers and labourers on worksites. “We are asking you to insist on your members that we remove the line of hostility that makes for disrespect and the worker sees you as an exploiter,” he said.

In his reply, IMAJ president Michael Archer said that the association has enjoyed positive industrial relations with construction workers and their unions.

“I can assure you that the cordial relationship and the working together that exists with the unions will continue and has served the industry well in allowing us to move forward. I can even go further to note that over the last three negotiating periods, we have been able to come to an agreement without any delay, long before the existing contracts expire.

“I think that is indicative of a positive working relationship with the unions. This, we intend to continue to help to move the industry forward,” Archer stated.