Labour and education to enhance employment

by Marlon Madden

Labour and education in Barbados are in for a major shake-up as the newly formed Mia Mottley administration aims to bring greater ease to workers, train more individuals for future job prospects and enhance the overall education and labour conditions.

In her first speech as President of the republic state, Dame Sandra Mason said in addition to the transformation of social policies to bring all social services under “one directorate” and reform the welfare system, Government will also be giving full attention to preparing a more upskilled labour force and an improved education system.

She indicated that the promised paternity legislation will be introduced in this term of Government to ensure greater parity in the workplace.

“Legislation will be enacted to allow paternity leave for fathers who want to be part of the critical first buds of their children’s lives,” said Dame Sandra.

Currently, only expectant mothers are allowed 12 weeks of paid maternity leave following a year of service – six of which are taken before their expected due date, and the remaining days taken after birth.
Dame Sandra, who was addressing the recent opening of Parliament at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, also noted that with the introduction of the national minimum wage last year, Government would be introducing new rules governing labour contract between employer and labour union representing workers.

“Government will bring to the Parliament in the early days of the new term, a trade union recognition and collective bargaining bill,” she announced. The President also outlined plans for remote work and policies to better protect various classes of workers.

“A policy will be developed on remote work and the impact of technology on the job security of the Barbadian worker will be studied, including a comparative analysis of models relating to work life balance, to find mechanisms for relieving workers’ stress,” said Dame Sandra.

“New protective policies will be put in place guaranteeing a new deal for domestic workers, workers in the tourism and hospitality sector, and workers in the agricultural sector,” she said.

In relation to the education system, Dame Sandra noted that policies and opportunities would continue to be a main plank of national development, while announcing that a new Education Act will be replacing the Education Act of 1983.

This new law, she said, would be more suited to modern policies, teaching and management in today’s education system.

She also indicated that learning will be more suited to the current and future labour market needs, indicating that priority will be given to accelerating learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while the controversial 11-plus exam will be abolished “in favour of a system of middleschools and establishment of schools of excellences in the arts, sciences, commerce, ICT, technical skills and other areas pivotal to national development”.

“Education will be more focused on problem solving, critical thinking and life-long learning.

There will be continuous efforts to train teachers and civil servants, to upskill the national population, to train artisans and a new core of male and female construction workers to fill the jobs in the coming building boom,” said Dame Sandra.

marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb