KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ) and trade unions representing workers in the building and construction industry signed a new agreement yesterday for wage and fringe benefits improvements for unionised sites.

The JIC is comprised of representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), the three trade unions representing construction workers- the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), the National Workers union (NWU) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and IMAJ.

The agreement, which remains in effect up to January 31, 2019, includes a seven per cent pay increase effective February 1 and an additional five per cent increase effective February 1, 2018. In addition, it allows for a 15 per cent increase in fringe benefits, including allowances.

In a message to the parties at the signing, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Shahine Robinson, noted that JICs are “very special” to Jamaica’s industrial relations culture.

“Through the efforts of the JIC, the country has observed a great level of stability in this industry, which could not have been realised unless there was a harmonious relationship between representatives of the employers and employees in this sector,” Robinson said in the message read by the Director of Industrial Relations and Allied Services in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Karl Wedderburn.

Carvel Stewart, President of IMAJ, reminded the Ministry of its objection to the issue of work permits to foreign, mainly Chinese, construction workers engaged on private sector contracts, while there was major unemployment and underemployment of local workers and contractors.

BITU vice-president Alden Brown and NWU deputy island supervisor Owen Saunderson both welcomed the agreement, but criticised the ministry for failing to act to protect construction workers who were being denied trade union representation by foreign contractors in the industry.

Balford Henry