The T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce yesterday called on Government to hold its hand on proposed amendments to the Industrial Relations Act (IRA) and to have consultations with private sector on the legislation.
CEO Catherine Kumar said the private sector was left out of consultations on the bill and presentations were made only to committees. She suggested that consultations he held with employees, employers and trade unions.
"Proper consultation was not done. We are certainly calling for a total halt on further debate on that bill and until proper private sector consultation is done. You would have heard the unions, not just the companies, even the unions are not happy with it.
"We are concerned that the Parliament will be pirogued shortly and that pieces of legislation will be pushed through very quickly. Who knows, with the absence of the People's National Movement MPs that's not going to help, especially when the Government has a majority," Kumar told reporters following a pre-mission seminar on Engaging Cuba in Commerce at the T&T Chamber headquarters, Columbus Circle, Westmoorings.
Commenting on another bill for which there had been calls more consultations, the Cybercrime Bill, Kumar said: "It is a pity it had to get to this stage before proper consultation was done. There are serious implications for the media and otherwise in that bill. it is not as though amendments are not needed, but the Government really needs to see that we do more consultation. "
The Industrial Relations Amendment Bill 2015, which was laid in the House of Representatives on May 1 and on which debate was launched on May 8, has been criticised by the country's two umbrella labour groups the Federation of Independent Trade Unions (Fitun) and the National Trade Union (Centre), as well as the Employers' Consultative Association (ECA)
The bill is being piloted through Parliament by Minister of Labour Errol McLeod, a former trade union leader.