Senators clash over workers’ rights motion
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Intra party differences on social issues, such as the treatment of workers by their bosses, highlighted Friday’s debates in the Senate on motions seeking to amendment two major labour laws.
Both Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding, who acted as Leader of Government Business in the absence of Senator A J Nicholson, and Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Arthur Williams, ended up lecturing members on their side of the aisle on their views on the issues.
The arguments featured in a passionate debate on two the motions – one to amend the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act (LRIDA) to ensure that ‘contract’ workers are given equal treatment under the law with other workers, brought by Government member, Senator Lambert Brown; and the other to amend the Employment (Termination and Redundancy Payments) Act (ETRPA) to protect workers threatened with redundancy and secure their compensations.
