The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has been escalating its public education efforts as more workers express interest in having flexible work arrangements.

“The Employment Flexible Work Arrangements, Miscellaneous Act 2014 has resulted in several amendments to different pieces of legislation, so that flexible work arrangements can be implemented. (As a result of this), it is important for us to ensure that workers and employers are sure of their rights,” said director of legal services in the ministry, Camille Bennett-Campbell.

The ministry has been engaging in sessions with both private and public sector groups in Kingston and Montego Bay and there are plans to visit other parishes. The parish offices will play a crucial role in the islandwide campaign.

Among these sessions was a recent three-day seminar at the Ministry of Finance, attended by a total of 43 government departments and agencies.

The director said that feedback to the Act has been positive and, while the practice is not new in some sectors, others have begun to introduce the option.

“Some organisations have indicated that they have already implemented flexible work arrangements. Some have done so on a voluntary basis and others in relation to certain departments,” Bennett-Campbell noted.

The ministry, she explained, will continue to “monitor these organisations to see exactly how it is working”.