The Unionist Vol 20 No 15 2013 by Coreen Gibson

A Publication of the Barbados Workers’ Union Where There Is No Vision The People Perish Vol.20 No.15 2013

Strengthening The Bonds

The 2013 May Day Planning Committee pictured at “Solidarity House”

Happy May Day to ONE & ALL

CONTENTS

Editor’s Note 1 From the Desk of the General Secretary 3 Strengthening National Bonds 6 May Day Site Visit 9 st 71 Anniversary Of The Barbados Workers’ Union 10 Sir Roy Condemns The Buying Of Votes 16 Barbados Needs Social Harmony 17 Trade Union Team Visits Brazil 17 More Work-Related Education Needed 18 A New Era In Employment Relations 20 Labour Will Not Discontinue Its Efforts To Build A Just Society 23 Comrade Vere Rock Receives A Warm Send-Off 24 The 2013 Week Of Excellence 28 Civil Society Organisations Benefiting From HIV Grant 29 Stress and Work 31 Occupational Diseases Cause Huge Suffering 33 Role Of Employers'/Workers’ Organisations In Disease Prevention 35 Work And Health – The Relationship 36 A Synopsis of the Safety and Health at Work Act (Cap 356) 39 Bringing Trade Union History Alive 43 Tribute To Sir Branford Taitt 45

Information concerning this Publication should be addressed to: Bro. Orlando Scott, Editor, The Unionist Barbados Workers’ Union, “Solidarity House”, Harmony Hall, St. Michael, Barbados Tel: (246) 426-3492/5 ● Fax: (246) 436-6496 Email: bwu@caribsurf.com ● Website: www.bwu.bb.org Photos by Brooks / La Touche Printed by Panagraphix Inc.

ON THE COVER: The 2013 May Day Planning Committee pictured at "Solidarity House", BWU Headquarters after the launch of the May Day 2013 Season on Friday, April 19th.

EDITOR’S NOTE Orlando Scott, BSS , JP

Senior Assistant General Secretary, Barbados Workers’ Union

he Barbados Workers’ Union is celebrating May Day 2013 against the background of the proclamation of two very important pieces of legislation – the Safety and Health at Work Act (SHaW Act) and the Employment Rights Act. The SHaW Act, which was passed in 2005, took almost eight years before it was proclaimed, but we believe that adherence to its provisions by the stakeholders can assist in the positive transformation of the working environment in Barbados. The Employment Rights Act is a ground-breaking piece of labour legislation and it has been described by BWU General Secretary Sir Roy Trotman as the most important piece of legislation since the enactment of National Insurance legislation.

The May Day 2013 Programme is as follows:

The Barbados Workers’ Union over the years has lobbied strongly for the passing and proclamation of these Acts and our members can enter the 2013 May Day season comforted by the work which their Union has done on their behalf in this very difficult period.

For those of you who have been enquiring about the origins of May Day – the Workers’ Day, we wish to inform you that the modern celebration of May Day as a working class holiday, evolved from the struggle of the eight-hour day in 1886. May 1, 1886 saw strikes called by the Knights of Labour in the USA and Canada for an eight hour day.

This edition of The Unionist features articles on the two pieces of legislation, beginning on pages 20 and 39. We are pleased to state that, notwithstanding the bleak economic outlook, the prospects for an enjoyable May Day season are positive as the Social Partners in Government, the Private Sector as well as the NGOs have responded positively to the BWU’s invitation to celebrate May Day 2013 under the theme, “Strengthening the Bonds”. This year’s theme, like those of previous years, speaks to the need for the Social Partners in Barbados to work towards the building of alliances and the strengthening of partnerships, all in the national interest.

• Media Launch, Solidarity House”, Friday, April 19th, At 9:30 a.m. • BWU/Cave Shepherd Cricket Match, BWU Labour College, Mangrove, St. Philip, 1:00 p.m. • May Day Thanksgiving Service, “Solidarity House”, April 28th, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. • Outreach on Heroes’ Day to the geriatric hospitals, Monday, April 29th • May Day Street Parade and Celebrations, Wednesday, May 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Origins

In Paris in 1889, the International Working Men’s Association (The First International), declared May 1 an international working class holiday in honour of the Haymarket Martyrs. The Red Flag became the symbol of the blood of the working class martyrs in the battle for workers’ rights. May Day, which had been banned for being a holiday of the common people, had been reclaimed once again for the common people. Labour Day in Barbados was first celebrated in the 1940s by the Barbados Workers’ Union. The Labour Day celebrations were later switched to May 1, and became an important observance by the Union. On May 1, thousands of workers, joined by their The Unionist

Ms. Bobbi McKay (l), Executive Director of the Barbados Manufacturers' Association (BMA) reacts to a point made from the floor. On her left are - BWU General Secretary Senator Sir Roy Trotman (c) and Senator Dr. The Honourable Esther ByerSuckoo, Minister of Labour, who also addressed the launch of the May Day 2013 May Day season at BWU headquarters, "Solidarity House" on Friday, April 19th.

families and friends, thronged favourite picnic spots across Barbados, such as King’s Park in the rural parish of St. Philip, River Bay in St. Lucy and Queen’s Park in Bridgetown, where they were treated to fiery speeches by trade union leaders, the passing of resolutions on topical labour and social issues, and entertainment by leading local and or Caribbean artistes. All May Day festivities were begun with the traditional thanksgiving service, attended by the Governor-General, and leaders drawn from the Public and Private Sectors. Working People The BWU has always insisted that May Day is not merely a time for leisure, but an occasion for workers to gather together to celebrate the achievements of the trade union movement and to embrace the future, especially as the struggle of working people and their trade unions has brought decency, dignity and 2

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respect to many. So, for us in the Labour Movement the season of May Day is a time for solemn reflection on matters that affect the labouring classes and society as a whole. Over the past decade, the Barbados Workers’ Union has sought to build national solidarity by inviting its Social Partners to join with Labour in the organising and execution of May Day. Over the years, we have placed significance on themes which have focussed on ‘Partnership’ and ‘Excellence’, and have prepared programmes to build national unity and promote personal excellence at home, at work and in the wider community. The trappings around May Day have changed with the times and we believe that our current quest to promote excellence through participation is an admirable approach to promote cooperation between the Social Partners. g

FROM THE DESK OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY Sir Roy Trotman, K.A. General Secretary, Barbados Workers’ Union

he following is an address by Senator Sir Roy Trotman, General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union at the launch of the 2013 May Day season, at “Solidarity House”, on Friday, April 19th Master of ceremonies, the Minister of Labour, Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Mr. Andrew Cox, our partner, Ms. Bobbi McKay, Executive Director of the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association, President General, Comrade Linda Brooks, members of partnering organisations, members of the Barbados Workers’ Union, I wish to say that Ms. McKay may have said, and said well that, long before her Association started joining fully as a member of the Private Sector, it was the Barbados Workers’ Union that had been pushing the idea, and continues to push the idea, that we must buy local because it is only by buying local that we can sustain ourselves and develop our people, our entrepreneurs and ultimately our country. I certainly welcome what she has said. I know that we found a lot of anger and annoyance in our CARICOM Community because we said so and that they sought to have us not say so, while at the same time they sought to deny our products; so what we have to do we have to do. I feel very strongly about that because we have now reached the stage in the Barbados Workers’ Union regarding the partnership where what we have to do we have to do. Sometimes things have got to be done that we have pushed back over time because we had hoped and are trying by our patience to affect some change of thinking. But sometimes there are people who may not hear, will not see, and only have the opportunity to see and to hear when they are forced by our actions to do that.

I wish to say that when I first asked Gabby Scott to recommend the theme to the May Day 2013 Planning Committee, I did not know that the chains binding the social partners would corrode so swiftly and as extraordinarily as they have done. But I am seeing the signs and I have been urging those who would listen to step back and reassess what this social partnership, led by the Barbados Workers’ Union, has been trying to do, and has been achieving on the behalf of the people of Barbados, over the last twenty-one years. If we are going to have a proper assessment I would agree that we would need to ask ourselves some very searching questions: we have, for example, to ask ourselves why did we develop the Social Partnership and why did we commit ourselves to that social partnership way back in 1991, leading to the first document that was signed in 1993? Why did we make it a tripartite social partnership, determining that those persons involved in the real working environment, the Government as the chair, the Employers and the Workers both in the Public Sector would be the partners, and those outside would be invited to join us when we dealt with special matters of interest to them. And why did we maintain the special character of the social partnership, rather than to try another form or model where we had to rely on somebody with a big stick to direct us regarding how to do the right thing? Why have we insisted that this social partnership cannot be mistaken for, nor be used as an alternative to our Trade Union Act, our Labour Department Act, or to our much more recently proclaimed Employment Rights Act? Why is it that our model is such an extraordinary model, and what did it attempt to achieve? And I can go on to deal with a The Unionist

BWU General Secretary, Senator Sir Roy Trotman as he addressed the launch of the May Day 2013 season at "Solidarity House" on April 19th. In the front row (-l-r) are Mr. Andrew Cox, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour , Comrades Washbrook Bayne (BWU Treasurer), Michael Alleyne (staff), Linda Brooks (BWU President General), Ethrill Crichlow and Byron Jackman, Chairman, BWU Special Events' Committee.

number of other questions, but I am not the main presenter at the launch, and so, perhaps, at May Day, I might have to take a little longer to express what it is that governs the Barbados Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union, and what makes it as the institution for Labour that expends the money it does in endeavouring to have this day, May Day, commemorated, respected and used as an example, as a mirror, if you like, to hold up to Barbadians so that they may be able to see themselves and their development over the years; where they can see where we have come from, what we have achieved and what, in the more recent times, we are able to achieve because the Barbados Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union has dared to join hands with employers, believing that we are all equal before God and under the law, in bringing to pass a community which can evolve much more equitably for the well-being of all people rather than for private profit of a mere few. Our reflection in these areas has been one that would have us look again and understand what the real objectives were at the outset: the objectives to save Barbados financially, 1991, to save Barbados economically, and in trade, and in securing the society and the community not just for privileged numbers within Labour or within Capital, but with the view to building a community where the most vulnerable, 4

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where the disabled, where all could see that there was equality of opportunity and where, because of our equalness before our Master, we would be able to benefit in an equitable manner from the fruits of our labour and from the various levels of output where those outputs were given according to our abilities. Twenty-one years have passed and twenty-one years would suggest a certain maturing, a certain coming of age. Regrettably for many of us twenty-one years conjure up a false sense of security and independence. Twenty-one years suggest for some, that they can walk away from the support structures on which they previously relied purely because emotionally, in their heads, they have arrived even though the rest of their bodies or their beings are still underdeveloped and still possibly undernourished. The BWU has sadly been forced to seeing what has been happening among us in this social partnership and it is sad to see that happening because among us there appears to be some in the Private Sector who are striving to take over that Private Sector Arm of the tripartite body. In the Government, we have seen it, because there are some like their private sector colleagues or, like the Pharaoh of old may not

have known Joseph, or from among our own ranks in Labour, there may be some among us who may have known Joseph and have known him very well but who may envy him for his coat. The Barbados Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union, even though we have always been structured as a congress, with each division having its own elected officials, and with the historical evidence of secession of one of those divisions in Cable and Wireless, in the 1960s, we have tried very hard to be true to those precepts and principles which have led us to suggest a union grouping and to insist on an ILO-structured tripartite social partnership. We rejected another model in the process when it was brought to us in 1991. Our Congress of the Barbados Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union, and I wish the public to note, I have said our Congress of the Barbados Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union will, on May Day develop more fully those claims which we are making regarding our return to our first principles. We believe very strongly on the need

to test, to repair and to strengthen the institution because it has been the salvation of Barbados over these last twenty-one years. If we do not reassess, revisit and correct the errors we are been making, some of which are in ignorance, then all that has been done will be allowed to enter onto a state of disrepair to the detriment of all of Barbados. A word to the wise is enough. g Psalm 127 Nisi Dominus

Except the Lord build the house; their labour is but lost that build it. Except the Lord keep the city: the watchman waketh but in vain. It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefullness: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

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Strengthening National Bonds By Bobbi McKay, Executive Director, BMA

ay Day celebrates the rights, liberties, struggles and successes of the Barbadian labour force. As we celebrate yet another milestone as a powerful national workforce, we are compelled to reflect on our past while at the same time strategically zooming in on our future, both as a nation and as a people. We must learn from our past while charting our future; recognise our challenges while embracing our potential; and learn to celebrate who we are, where we have come from, what we have achieved and where we are going as Barbadian Nationals. This year, the May Day theme is “Strengthening the Bonds”. When one thinks of the word strengthen, two diverging thoughts quickly rush to mind. You are either fortifying that which is already strong or seeking to make robust that which is weak and challenged. As we reflect on ourselves and our actions as a nation, there is surely room for both interpretations. First, let’s look at Strengthening the Bonds of National Pride. May Day represents unity and solidarity. The reason why this celebration is so important to the BMA is, as many recognise and know, this has been the driving force behind the campaigns, the programmes and many of the initiatives that we execute. Our mission is to realise a country where our people stand in unity and solidarity to recognise, respect and reach out for locally designed and manufactured products. The future of manufacturing is dependent upon its ability to secure a solid domestic market on which our products can develop and grow. The support of Government, the Unions, the Private Sector and Consumers in general is therefore imperative for the industry’s survival. Other countries support their own, why are we choosing to buy their products and support their economies rather than buying our own

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and supporting our own people and by extension our economy? Following 9/11, the Barbados Manufacturers' Association embarked on a Buy Bajan campaign geared at changing the way that we all viewed manufacturing. The basic premise of this campaign was that if we, as Barbadians, purchase local products and support local manufacturing, our economy grows, our manufacturing sector grows and ultimately we as a people, and as a nation, will succeed. This has been a slow but steady journey and we remain steadfast in our mission to see a national shift to Buying Bajan first, each and every time. Buying Local Some may say that we keep harping on this point, but the reality remains true; without the support of Barbadians, without Barbadians choosing local first and foremost, our sector will never reach its fullest potential. Choosing to buy local helps support Barbadian families; helps to develop sustainable businesses and helps us to maintain the wonderful standard of living that we presently enjoy. There is no doubt about it - buying local benefits all Barbadians. What started out as a national campaign has become a national opportunity; an opportunity for us to develop a sustainable economy; an opportunity to keep employment levels high in the face of global financial challenges; an opportunity to increase overseas exports and ultimately an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of national pride and industry. We also need to Strengthen the Bonds of the Social Partnership. The manufacturing sector remains critical to the well-being of the national economy as it contributes to employment, foreign exchange earnings and government revenue in the form of taxes; however, it cannot operate in isolation.

Partnerships are a central feature in both developing and developed societies. Business partnerships ensure the availability of a body of expertise, which in turn allow businesses to function more efficiently, reliably, and profitably. The ultimate goal is to come together, thus bringing to bear the strengths of each partner for the growth and sustainability of the national economy. The Social Partnership between the Private Sector, Government and Labour forges an alliance that creates an innovative marketplace necessary for sustainable business. To strengthen this partnership, we all have a part to play. We celebrate the support from Government and Labour as it facilitates the Private Sector’s development to operational excellence. At the consumer level, many still comment on the price of locally made products which are often not judged on their quality but on their price comparison to cheap, heavily subsidised and often inferior imports. Utility Costs The cost of conducting business in Barbados is not cheap. In the last decade wages have increased by 51%, fuel for manufacturing and transportation has increased by 225% and water by 40%. Utility costs are linked to fuel costs and have also risen by an estimated 225%. Further to these increases in local inputs, the sector has seen significant increases in imported raw materials. Any effort to help support or reduce these impacts can only help to develop stronger, more robust businesses which benefit the economy and our people on a whole. Likewise the Private Sector must comply, facilitate dialogue, and remain open to compromise and cooperation. This enables Labour and various Government entities to provide both adequate representation and support to their constituents. In this process we must protect our talent pool. We must refuse to ship our best and brightest minds overseas and we must refuse to ship our jobs abroad. Our talent pool needs to grow and develop and we should not be importing labour to drive our economic engine. To this end, we need to work to ensure that our talent remains in Barbados.

The statement that “ignorance is bliss” is not always true. The manufacturing sector is rich with possibilities but many remain ignorant to the facts. The sector encompasses many sub-sectors - furniture design and production; fashion and garments (design and development); food production; chemicals and construction supplies; pharmaceuticals; spa products and so much more... The sector offers employment to clerical staff, marketing and sales people, administrators, engineers, chemists, food technologists, mechanical engineers, electricians, health and safety officers, and on and on right down the chain to the crew that cuts the grass. The reality is that many only think of machine operators and dusty buildings. It is also the role of our Social Partners to help remove the blindfolds of ignorance and to help build a stronger more robust sector. Finally, we must look to Strengthen the Bonds of local consumerism. Consumerism is a social and economic order that encourages the purchase of goods and services in ever-greater amounts. Our quest is to promote the purchase of local goods and services in ever-increasing amounts. One may ask why? The answer is really simple. How do we stay employed if those of us who are working don’t support others who are also working? Who in-turn will support us? It is a vicious cycle and although some of us may think that we remain untouched, it is inevitable for it to impact us at some point. Winston Churchill once said “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” If we do not band together, support each other and pave our own way, we will become our own enemies within. As an Association, we continue to challenge our manufacturers to innovate and to creatively make good use of our indigenous products. However, even more important than the need to innovate is the need for product consistency and maintaining high standards. Building capacity, on-time delivery, innovation and quality must become the hallmark of local industry. Manufacturing in Barbados has a brilliant future but much work must still be done and we must unite to achieve it. g The Unionist

May Day Site Visit

Comrade Orlando Scott (I), BWU May Day Coordinator discusses a security point with Inspector Peter Gibson of the Royal Barbados Police Force and John Haynes of the Department of Emergency Management at the recent site visit on Brown's Beach, where the May Day celebrations will be held.

Cave Shepherd has been for many years the sponsor of the BWU May Day limited overs cricket match. At left Comrade Scott receives the cheque from Kay Richards of the Cave Shepherd Marketing Department.

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71st Anniversary Of The Barbados Workers’ Union By Orlando Scott

he Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) entered the year 2013 against the backdrop of a global economic slowdown, the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930s. At the start of the year, most of the regions of the world were experiencing reduced growth and several economies in Europe had entered into a double-dip recession. At home, the economic slowdown has impacted severely on the drivers of the Barbados economy, particularly tourism and construction and has led to a reduction in growth and an increase in joblessness. The International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) World of Work Report 2012 has shown that there remains a jobs deficit of 50 million relative to the precrisis situation. Young people have been particularly affected, with youth unemployment since 2008, when the crisis began, having increased by 80 percent in advanced economies and two-thirds in developing economies. The report shows that poverty rates and inequality have increased in most countries, and that the incidence of precarious employment – jobs that are involuntary part-time or temporary – increased in most countries. No-Lay Off Policy Anticipating the onset of the crisis back in 2008, the BWU, through General Secretary, Sir Roy Trotman, called on the other Social Partners to strategise on ways to cushion the effects of the crisis. The Union’s call to the other social partners has been for a no-lay off policy so as to keep the wheels of industry turning and the Employers, particularly the Government responded in the affirmative. Sir Roy maintains that the adverse effect of the crisis might have been worse for Barbados if the country

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did not have a sound, experienced Tripartite Social Partnership. His view is that where others have may have taken note of the global crisis at the same time as Barbados, the Social Partners in Barbados recognised that the open street revolts and the public expressions by the youth of other communities of their dissatisfaction could, and should, be contained. From its genesis at the start of the decade of the 1940s, and throughout every decade of its long history, the Barbados Workers’ Union has faced myriad challenges. Some of these challenges, the current economic crisis, for example, have been spawned in the North Atlantic, while others have been initiated at home, but supported by the solidarity of the local workforce who, at all times, have emboldened the Union’s leadership to fearlessly advance the cause of Labour, the Union has been able to overcome adversity. Great Depression At the time of the Union’s conception, during the latter half of the 1930s, the world was facing a number of serious tests. The world economies were slowly emerging from the social and economic crises in the wake of the Great Depression, Europe was facing head-on the threat of Nazism and Fascism and World War 11, and the British colonies in the Region were endeavouring to build a movement to throw off the shackles of colonialism. In Barbados, this movement saw its first fruits with the attempts made by the Dr. Charles Duncan O’Neal-led Democratic League and Workingmen’s Association in the 1920s. The movement budded with the founding of the Barbados Progressive League, earlier led by Chrissie Brathwaite, Edwy Talma and others and later bloomed with the founding of the

recruited by the Union in January, 1945 as its first administrator and whose leadership ended in the early 1990s when he retired. The Union’s management has been in the hands of Sir Roy Trotman since the retirement of Sir Frank.

Rt. Excellent Clement Payne - the central figure in the 1937 disturbances

Rt. Excellent Sir Grantley Adams, President General, BWU, 1941-1954

Barbados Labour Party and the Barbados Workers’ Union, under the guidance of Grantley Adams. Nascent Years The nascent years of the labour movement in Barbados were given momentum as a consequence of the Disturbances of 1937, which were the direct result of the appalling social and economic conditions on the island, and, subsequently, the holding of the local Deane Commission and the Royal Commission which enquired into their causes. The Trade Union Act was passed in 1939, and came into force in 1940, thereby providing legal sanction for the BWU to be created. The BWU, the first legal trade union to be established in Barbados, was registered on October 4, 1941, as the industrial arm of the Barbados Progressive League. The Union’s original officers were barristersat-law, Grantley Herbert Adams, President General and (now Rt. Excellent Sir Grantley Adams) and Hugh Worrell Springer, General Secretary and now Rt. Excellent Sir Hugh Springer), both of whom were graduates of Oxford University; and Hilton Coulston, a school teacher, who held the post of Treasurer. Sir Grantley, Sir Hugh and the other pioneers laid a strong foundation which was built upon by Frank Walcott (now Rt. Excellent Sir Frank), who was

Each decade of the Union’s existence during the past 70 years has been marked by challenges and growth. During the 1940s, the incubation period of the Union, it experienced rapid expansion, growing from its small urban membership base with the three active pioneer divisions – the Ships’ Carpenters, the Barbados Foundry Mechanics and the Central Mechanics – into a national movement, which, by 1950, included sugar workers, representing field and factories, from all parishes. A number of very important factors gave the Union wide national appeal during this time. They were: the strikes at the two Foundries in 1942 and 1944 which were given financial and moral support by trade unions in the region; the voices of Adams, Springer and Walcott (from 1945) being heard on behalf of the Labour force in Parliament; and the unionisation of sugar workers across Barbados, sugar being the main economic plank of the island’s economy at that time. The Foundry strikes also brought a regional ethos to the trade union movement in Barbados as trade unions in Trinidad and Barbadian workers in Curacao and Aruba sent financial support. The Voice Of The Workers It was during the 1940s, then, that the BWU became the voice of the workers of this country. This period set the stage for collective bargaining as the Union began to negotiate for better wages and conditions for groups of workers including dockers, bakers and factory engineers. This period also marked the growth of the regionalisation of the Labour Movement with the holding of the first Caribbean Labour Conference of regional trade union leaders in Barbados, in 1945. Future political leaders like Vere Bird of Antigua, Robert Bradshaw of St. Kitts and Nevis, Grantley Adams of Barbados, and Albert Gomes of Trinidad attended that conference.

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be described as “indigenous leadership in politics and the trade unions at the same time”. In relation to its work in industrial relations, the Union gained much power and prestige from the 13week Advocate strike of 1956, which involved more than 200 workers, and was the longest strike called by the Union. It marked the first time that permanently employed workers in such large numbers had gone on strike for such a long period. Rt. Excellent Sir Hugh Springer, General Secretary, BWU, 1941-1947

Rt. Excellent Sir Frank Walcott, General Secretary, BWU 1948-1991

The decade of the 1950s through to the 1970s was a period of rapid expansion for the Union as it related to its development at the organisational level, its influence in the political life of Barbados, its membership of the regional trade union grouping - what is now known as the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), then called the Caribbean Area Division of ORIT (CADORIT) - and its membership of international organisations such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU). The period saw the departure of founder-member Grantley Adams, who, with the advent of ministerial government in Barbados in 1954, resigned from his post of president general of the Union to become the first premier of Barbados. The BWU’s 13th Annual Report stated that the period, 1953-54 would go down in the annals of the social, economic and political history of Barbados as the greatest turning point in the 20th Century history of the working class movement in Barbados. The Union was of this view since, on the political side, the responsibility of Government was placed in the hands of the people’s representatives for the first time; and on the industrial side, working class men had reached the stage where they were running the affairs of their industrial organisation. The Union described this change as unique in that it had produced what could

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Among the other achievements of the Union in the decade of the 1950s were – the signing of the famous Domestic Sugar Agreement, which included the payment of production bonuses; the election of Macdonald Blunt, a docker, who succeeded Adams as president of the Union; and the renovation of the Union’s Fairchild Street/Nelson headquarters. It was also at this time, that the Union initiated the proposal for a provident fund for sugar workers and the gradual introduction of severance pay. The Provident Fund for sugar workers came into existence in 1964. 25th Anniversary The decade of the 1960s was one of major achievement and challenge for the Union. It was the period in which Barbados attained its independence from Britain (in 1966) and the Union marked its 25th anniversary, the same year by, among other things, inviting the ICFTU to hold its Board Meeting in Barbados, marking the first time ever that such a meeting was held outside of Europe. The Labour College at “Unity House” on Roebuck Street was also opened, thereby centralising labour education for the union’s membership. Prior to the preceding achievements, the opening of the Deep Water Harbour in 1961 brought significant industrial change in the history of Barbados. More than 1 000 workers were displaced when the harbour was opened. The Union used that occasion to introduce a new charter for dockers. A provident fund, sick payment and holidays with pay for pooled earnings were all introduced.

The Windfall issue of 1963 will be remembered as being among the most severe of tests for the Union. It was a turbulent period for the organisation. The issue arose after the Union had negotiated additional increases for workers with the Sugar Producers’ Federation following an agreement earlier in that year. This was as a result of higher prices for sugar after the agreement was reached. The Union proposed that a portion of the increase should be paid into a special fund to be administered exclusively for the benefit of the sugar workers. The Employers agreed to the proposal, the Government accepted the proposal and legislation was introduced into the House of Assembly to approve the proposal. But the political Opposition, led by Grantley Adams, vehemently resisted the proposal. He spearheaded the registration of a new trade union, part of whose goal was to hinder the establishment of the special fund. This union never really got off the ground. The Decade of the 1970s The decade of the 1970s was one of militance for the Union. It was a period typified by the Union’s protests in the first half of the 1970s in the defence of the cause of workers as well as its efforts to demonstrate its reach as an important social institution. The latter was exemplified by the opening of the BWU Labour College, in September 1974 and the start of the housing development in 1976 on a 100-acre plot at Mangrove, St. Philip. It started with the Provision Merchants and Commission Agents strike (1971) and was followed by the Clarke and Tucker (1972), Hensher (1972) and the Hotel Association (1973). During that period, the Union became the bargaining agent for government unestablished and casual employees, air traffic controllers, staff at the Government Printery, postmen and messengers. The Union also organised workers at BWIA, clerical workers at the Bridgetown Port, Barbados Rediffusion Service Limited (now STARCOM Network Inc), William Fogarty, a store on upper Broad Street, Bridgetown, and the Barbados Tourist Board and Development Board (now the Barbados Tourism Authority). In terms of legislation, the Union had made significant

advances. At the legislative level, the Trade Union Act was amended to provide for peaceful picketing, the Workmen’s Compensation Act was amended to provide for domestics, the Severance Payment Act was introduced and National Insurance became a reality. In relation of education, the Union took the bold step to establish a residential Labour College, as part of the Mangrove development in St. Philip which included the establishment of a housing project for workers, and a playing field. The decades of the 1980s to the present marked a new era in the life of the Union. Its voice echoed in Parliament as its three deputy general secretaries, Evelyn Greaves, LeRoy Trotman and Robert Morris were elected, in 1986, to the House of Assembly, its General Secretary Frank Walcott assumed the post of President of the Senate and an Assistant General Secretary, Yvonne Walkes was appointed to the Senate. In 1989, LeRoy Trotman was elected as President of the Caribbean Congress of Labour and in 1991, the Union celebrated its 50th anniversary, in the absence of Sir Frank Walcott, who was ill and on the verge of retirement. It signaled the end of the leadership of the Union by Sir Frank whose bold and untiring efforts resulted in the expansion of the Union into a modern and dynamic organisation. Sir Roy Trotman’s Leadership The period also marked the start of the leadership of Sir Roy Trotman, who, after acting as general secretary during the long illness of Sir Frank, was elected to the position of general secretary at the start of the 1990s when Sir Frank retired. Sir Roy’s headship of the trade union movement at the local level saw new and unparalleled developments in the Labour Movement. Among them were - the birth of the umbrella Coalition of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados which grew into the Congress of the Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados. It also saw the materialisation of the umbrella Barbados Private Sector Agency (BPSA),

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the genesis of the Tripartite Social Partnership, and the birth of the Protocols, all of which came to light as a consequence of the government’s embarking on a stabilisation programme with the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This period was also marked by a series of national protests and marches led by the Coalition against the austerity measures implemented by Government, including the 8 percent cut in the salaries of Government workers. At the international level, Sir Roy’s stature grew; he became the first trade unionist from the Third World to be elected as the President of the multimillion member Brussels-based International Trade Union Confederation (ICFTU), in 1992. He was later elected as a Vice Chair of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), heading the Workers’ Group in that Organisation. This was historic as Sir Roy became the first person from the Third World to occupy that chair. ILO Standards As Chair of the Workers’ Group, Sir Roy ably led the debate in relation to a number of ILO Standards such as the Abolition of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, Tripartite Consultation, Health and Safety in Agriculture, ILO Recommendation 200 on HIV and AIDs and the ILO Convention 189 and ILO Recommendation on Decent Work for Domestic Workers. Sir Roy’s leadership of the Barbados Workers’ Union, from the start of the 1990s until the present, has been distinguished by an approach to labour management relations which resulted in the birth of the much touted Tripartite Social Partnership. The Social Partnership has evolved as the key institution in the governance of labour management relations; and whatever gains Barbados may have had in the management of the current economic crisis and industrial relations, credit must be given to that institution which allows for formal dialogue between

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the leaders of Government, Employers and the Workers. There can be no dispute as to the significant efforts which the Barbados Workers’ Union has made in reshaping the social configuration of Barbados. The Union’s achievements have come, not merely in its efforts towards the democratisation of the social institutions in Barbados. These accomplishments also came in the voice given to the working class and in the significant improvement of their standard of living, not just by the social and economic gains which have been brought about by the process of collective bargaining, but by the enactment of essential pieces of social and labour legislation which it has tabled in Parliament or for which it has lobbied. These pieces of legislation include the Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1943, the Protection of Wages Act of 1951, the Holidays with Pay Act of 1952 (which introduced legal vacation for all workers), National Insurance and Social Security Act, which came into force in 1966 and the Severance Payment Act of 1973. Add to the foregoing, the Employment of Women’s Act of 1976 which introduced maternity leave. The aforementioned pieces of Labour legislation, which have been lobbied and or piloted by the Union, have redefined the social fabric of Barbados, and have made significant improvements to the lives of all Barbadians. g

Psalm 139, Domine, probasti

Verses 1 and 23 to 24 O Lord, thou hast searched me out, and known me: thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine up-rising; thou understandest my thoughts long before. Try me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart: prove me, and examine my thoughts. Look well if there be any of wickedness in me: and lead me in the way everlasting.

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Sir Roy Condemns The Buying Of Votes

he General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union, Senator Sir Roy Trotman has expressed concern over reports by politicians, including the Prime Minister and the Attorney General, and ordinary men and women about the quantum of money with which votes were being bought during the last general election.

“Corn beef and biscuits done, I under stand that, but this business of the stories of who were involved and who were able to tell the public what the results coming in were going to be different because they knew, is alarming. The only question you would have to ask yourselves was, were they counting on the basis of money that had been expended,” he said

“What that does is to create a climate which will take representative politics way beyond the reach of candidates who would truly be representatives of the people”, Sir Roy said during his contribution to the debate on the Estimates in the Senate on Tuesday, March 26.

Sir Roy described the alleged issue of vote-buying as “a very serious problem” and he said: “The longer we take, the more we are likely to push it under the carpet and sweep it away and it will become worse. We cannot be preaching decency and morality from these Honourable Chambers and then going among the people in their villages and teaching them how to be dishonest”.

Sir Roy’s view was that, on either side of the political divide, there must be a major effort made that is transparent and known, where people, who are wearing shades and so cannot see, would be made to see this evil and to speak out against it.

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“Madam President, I wish to say that a word at this time to the wise that will say that if we want to build a community, we must start with ourselves”, he concluded. g

Barbados Needs Social Harmony

Trade Union Team visits Brazil

Local Community

Family Core Job Contributors To Economy Parents & Children

Education & Training

part from the need to have sound social protection floors, Barbados also have to have social harmony.

This is the view of the General Secretary of the BWU, Senator Sir Roy Trotman, who has lamented that much of our social disharmony comes from individuals who prefer not to work but to live a life of crime. Pointing out that not everyone is in that group and not everyone started out by being criminal in intention, Sir Roy said: “We have to build up a fabric of our society which restores values for social development and uses those values for social development principally, and where those development principles, we endeavour to cultivate, will be based on tripartite social dialogue”. He emphasised that this had to be done “because we must get ourselves away from the belief that only the managers have ideas and only the supervisors can see what is wrong at the workplace without understanding that the guy who never got past fifth standard very often understands better how that particular job should function, than people who are given grand titles and big offices”. g

trade union team led by the General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union, Senator Sir Roy Trotman visited Sao Paulo, Brazil from March 12 to 14, to observe that country’s technical and vocational training programmes. The team, which included the President of the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), David Massiah (Antigua and Barbuda), the General Secretary of the CCL, Senator Chester Humphrey (Grenada), and the Principal of the BWU Labour College, Doreen Deane, was able to see how the Brazilians, through SENAC, have been able to build upon their technical and vocational education and training. SENAC is well known around the globe with outstanding experiences in the field of hotel and tourism. The team was able to observe how the Brazilians have been able to take their people away from merely being concerned with academia to giving greater credit to those people who use their skills, mechanical or engineering, to help build a parallel community where they are able to build on the overall energies of the contributors to that economy. Similar programmes have been developed throughout Latin America and Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago as well as Barbados have become part of the beginnings of a wider Latin American and Caribbean exercise. While in Brazil the team met with Mrs. Martha Pacheco, the ILO Director of CINTERFOR, which is the south/south arm of a wing in the ILO. Sir Roy disclosed that part of CINTERFOR’s aims is to develop indigenous skills, develop parallel institutions and training so that south/south dialogue becomes more than just words but a meaningful part of the development in our areas. g The Unionist

More Work-Related Education Needed

call has been made by the Barbados Workers’ Union for more workrelated education in Barbados. Speaking during the 2013 Estimates Debate in the Senate, Senator Sir Roy Trotman, General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union, said he was making the distinction between work-related education and academic education, since he was sure that the University of the West Indies has been doing an excellent job in the latter area. Sir Roy argued that based on where we are today, we need to have many more people who have technical education, upbringing and training, who are going to be able to relate immediately, and not in the long term, to the needs that we will have as a community. He considered this as being necessary if we are going to really transform our economic activities, and if we are going to take those economic activities from where they were and endeavour to reach the aims that people like Peter Boos and those other business persons embarked upon a year ago and which the Social Partnership embraced and made part of the plan when they signed Protocol V1. Sir Roy’s view was that this decision made enterprise development part of the platform for taking forward the people and the wealth-creating activities of the Social Partnership and hence of Barbados as a whole. Earlier in his presentation, Sir Roy noted that Senator Maxine McClean spoke about having the Barbados

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Development Programme based on certain sound pillars – adequate social safety nets, employment and wealth creation through a judicious mix of business initiatives and on safeguarding the environment among other things. In that context, he added that, although he had no mandate from the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Association of Barbados (CTUSAB), he was strongly of the view that the Labour Movement of Barbados, and certainly the BWU, would position our Estimates within Labour’s platform for sustainable development. He added that if we were to look at that, we would have to see it not merely in the context of Barbados, itself, but we would have to see it within the context of a CARICOM Single Market and Economy. Sir Roy explained that it was his expectation that even if the Estimates in the presentation had not located what we need to be looking at, and what we need to be doing within the wider framework of our existence as a regional single unit, nonetheless, we had to recognise that we could not afford the luxury of continuing the simple subtraction that said that “one from ten leaves zero”. “I do not think we can afford that because there is no point in having us plan for the future as Barbados when, indeed, our future as Barbados is very intricately tied up in our future as a regional body. I think we have to look to the single market and economy and that single market and economy will help us in looking for a labour platform that is acceptable,” he said.

Sir Roy said he believed as well that Barbados needs to seek policies that are oriented to the goals of creating decent jobs and of having those job performances reach international competitiveness. “Our standards cannot afford to remain everyday runof-the mill. We have to give the “wow experience”,

the better-than-our-neighbours’ experience, because what we are looking for in the views of Labour is a level of competitiveness that will make Barbados preferred as a destination not merely for tourism but preferred as a destination for the new businesses I am hopeful that we are all going to be endeavouring to create”, he said. g

Senator Sir Roy Trotman, General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union shakes hands with Paul Altman at the opening of Parliament. National Hero The Rt. Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers looks on.

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A New Era In Employment Relations By Pauline Farnum Labour Officer, Industrial Relations Section Labour Department

pril 15, 2013 saw the dawn of a new era in employment relationships in Barbados with the proclamation of the Employment Rights Act (ERA). The Act, which was passed in Parliament in May of 2012, will alter the way employment relations will be conducted in the future.

- not to be unfairly dismissed.

or address of their employer and the terms and conditions under which they are employed. The ERA seeks to eliminate this problem in mandating a statement of employment particulars to be issued to all employees. This statement shall contain the: - name of the employee - name and address of the employer - effective date of employment - job title - job description - rate of wages or the method of calculation - intervals of payment - normal working hours - probation period – if any - notice to be given to terminate the employment - date of the end of the contract if it is a fixed term contract - place or places of work - contents of any collective agreements - holiday entitlement - sick or injury leave provision – if any - pension scheme – if any - the disciplinary procedures - the line of command to seek redress in any grievance relating to employment

- not to be lay-off or placed on short-time without a specified reason and without consultation.

It is also stipulates that any changes made in any of the outlined items should be done so in writing within 30 days of the change.

The ERA makes new provisions for the rights of employed persons and covers all employees including statutory corporations but excludes those employed by the Crown. It also establishes an Employment Rights Tribunal to enforce the rights outlined in the Act. The rights provided for in the ERA include the right: - to a statement of employment particulars. - to an itemised pay statement. - to minimum notice to terminate an employment contract - to receive a certificate of employment record at the end of a contract of employment

Statement of Employment Particulars Unfortunately many persons are employed today, having little or no information on the name and/

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Right to an Itemised Pay Statement The ERA requires all employees to receive an itemised pay statement which includes:

- - - -

the gross amount of wages all deductions made the net amount of wages the dates of the pay period as well as the date of payment Minimum Period of Notice

The minimum period of notice required to be given by an employer to terminate an employee now falls between one week and ten weeks. Persons paid on a weekly basis are entitled to receive: One week notice if employed for less than 2 years Two weeks’ notice if employed for 2 or more years, but less than 5 years Four weeks’ notice if employed for 5 or more years but less than 10 years Six weeks’ notice if employed for 10 or more years but less than 15 years Ten weeks’ notice if employed for more than 15 years For persons paid on a fortnightly basis: Two weeks’ notice if employed for less than 5 years Four weeks’ notice if employed for 5 or more years but less than 10 years Six weeks’ notice if employed for 10 or more but less than 15 years Ten weeks’ notice if employed for more than 15 years Those paid on a monthly basis: One month’s notice if employed for less than 10 years One and half months’ notice if employed for 10 but less than 15 years Two and half months’ notice if employed for 15 or more years. However the notice required to be given to terminate employment by an employee who has been employed for one year or more is no less than: One week if paid on an hourly, daily, weekly basis Two weeks if paid on a fortnightly basis One month if paid on a monthly basis

Certificate of Employment Contract At the end of the employment, the ERA requires a certificate of the employment record to be provided to the employee within fourteen days. This statement shall include: - - - -

the name and address of the employer the nature of the business the period of employment the job title

NB: On the request of the employee a written reason for termination should be given. Right not to be Unfairly Dismissed One of the most important aspects of the ERA is the right not to be unfairly dismissed. Employees previously suffered many unfortunate incidences with little recourse as many persons found themselves unable to pursue the case on their own using the legal system due to financial constraints. Provisions in the Act stipulates that for an employee employed one year or more, a dismissal contravenes his right not to be unfairly dismissed if the dismissal: - took place while the employee was certified by a medical practitioner to be incapable of work for a period of not more than 12 consecutive months. - was as a result of the employee being involved in trade union activities or being a safety and health representative. - is a result of a complaint from the employee regarding an allegation of a violation of law, contract of employment or the practice by the employer. - is a result of the employee being diagnosed with or believed to have HIV/AIDS or any other life-threatening illness or disease.

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- is a result of the employee being disabled, where alternative employment could have been reasonably offered. - is due to an employee’s refusal to carry out an unlawful instruction given by the employer. - is because of pregnancy. - is a result of absence due to the performance of national duty. - is a reason that relates to race, colour, gender, age, marital status, religion, political affiliation. - is related to absence associated with an emergency of a child or dependent family

member with a disability, for whom the employee has responsibility. Remedies for unfair dismissal include: - Reinstatement of the employee where appropriate - Re-engagement of the employee where practicable - Compensation It must be noted that an employer is not entitled to dismiss an employee for any reason related to: - the capability of the employee to perform any work; or - the conduct of the employee without informing the employee of the accusation against him and giving him an opportunity to state his case. Rights in Relation to Lay-off and short-time Unless stated in the contract of employment, an employee should not be laid-off or placed on short-time except: - The employer has temporarily ceased, or intends temporarily to cease the business - The work of the employee has or is expected to temporarily cease or diminish. Before layoff or short-time, the employer should: - Carry out consultations with the employee no less than 6 weeks before layoff or short-time. - Supply the employee, trade union where applicable and the Chief Labour Officer with a written

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continued on page 27

Labour Will Not Discontinue Its Efforts To Build A Just Society

he Labour Movement in Barbados will not discontinue its efforts to build a more just society, simply because of the pockets of bigotry, greed, malice and shallowness, sometimes in high places, including among some of the captains of industry. This assurance has come from BWU General Secretary, Senator Sir Roy Trotman who has expressed regret that there are far too many people in Barbados who are students of, or adherent to, the doctrine of “IMEMYOLITIS”, which he said may be described as ‘having an interest only in oneself and in one narrow family’. Speaking during the debates on the Estimates in the Senate on Tuesday, March 26, Sir Roy said: “Unfortunately, we have seen this in far too many persons who have come to the fore in recent times. We have seen the very inimical and unfortunate consequences of that kind of management in those areas where they have become leaders”. Sir Roy cautioned: “We must not allow those kinds of negatives to prevent us from continuing our struggle to build a better, more just society, a society where we can convince even the most criminal in their minds that there is a better way, another way, a way in which the narrow road to fairness, to honesty, to commitment to one’s fellowman, to treating one’s neighbour as we would have ourselves treated by that neighbour, where we can have more people begin to understand that that is the way forward”. According to Sir Roy, “If we would endeavour ourselves to work together to build that greater society, and if those who are in leadership positions

would lead the way by the manner in which they treat their fellow man, or the persons around them, then Barbados will be able to see a better horizon and the skies that are blue will become bluer with promises of a better tomorrow”. Sir Roy explained that that more just society was built, insofar as he and the trade union movement and labour were concerned, on the International Labour Organisation’s four pillars for sustainable development. These pillars, he said, related to: • Employment creation and to enterprise development; • Developing labour and human rights standards and not merely developing them, but respecting them and honouring them; • Developing a sound social protection floor; and • Ensuring that those of us who must deal with those who cannot, that we will have social protection programmes which will not see us in a position where the poor got poorer and the rich got richer; or, sometimes as he chose to put it, “where the rich get richer and the poor get children”. Sir Roy explained that that particular dimension of his formula was terribly difficult to come to grips with because it meant that as the country got older, those who were least able to raise their children and take proper care of them were the ones who were having them, and hence our social protection programme had to become an even stronger programme because we had to be the ones who would mother the children of the motherless and father the children of the fatherless. continued on page 32

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Comrade Vere Rock Receives A Warm Send-Off was stated that, in his note of acceptance, which may be described as prophetic, he wrote: “I look forward to a long and useful association with the Barbados Workers’ Union”. And Comrade Gillian Alleyne, the current Human Resource Manager remarked: “Comrade Rock is, indeed, a man of his word because he has been useful, to the Union, beyond measure.”

he measure of the esteem which the Barbados Workers’ Union holds for its retired Financial Controller, Comrade Vere Rock may be accurately gauged by the two hours and twenty-two minutes of warm expressions of respect and affection, which characterised the tributes paid to him by the Union’s Executive Council and staff, at the retirement ceremony held in his honour, at Union headquarters, “Solidarity House” on Thursday, March 28, 2013. Speaker after speaker, led by BWU General Secretary, Sir Roy Trotman, lauded Comrade Rock for his 40 year’s of exemplary, dedicated and committed service to the Union. Comrade Rock joined the staff of the BWU on April 1, 1973, after being encouraged to do so by longtime college associate and former BWU Human Resource manager, Comrade Evette Gibson. It

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Comrade Gibson, who led off the tributes, in recalling her very long association with Comrade Rock, which reached back to their student days at the Barbados Community College, said that he had played “an important role in the development of the modern history of Barbados Workers’ Union”. She listed the BWU’s Mangrove Development in St. Philip, which includes the building of the Labour College, the housing project and the playing field, as well as the acquisition and refurbishment of the Union’s headquarters at Harmony Hall, St. Michael, as projects which came under his supervision. Sir Roy began his tributes by telling the previous speakers: “Today you have been kind to express very tender statements to make Comrade Rock aware of just how much we will miss him. I know, like me, he sometimes feels a little uncomfortable when you are too generous with your words; and yet, the words have to be said because it very easy to for us to remember the evil and the injustices that people have done to us, and, all too frequently, we forget when somebody has done us an act of kindness, or when somebody, just by being present, has helped us to overcome a difficult moment…”

BWU General Secretary Senator Sir Roy Trotman chats with three staff members who have recently retired (from l-r) Comrades Vere Rock, Ulric Sealy and Sheila King.

At right, Comrade Evette Gibson, work colleague of Comrade Rock, presents him with a parting gift.

Speaking on the behalf of the Executive Council, staff and the entire BWU membership, Sir Roy thanked Comrade Rock “for 40 years of dedicated, committed service, 40 years of sacrifice, 40 years of helping to shoulder problems and dealing with problems from which lesser people may have walked away”.

of help which we might well have to get additional people to deal with and, in some cases, we will have to pay additionally for”.

Sir Roy praised Comrade Rock for much of the BWU’s success during the latter’s 40-year tenure at the Union. Sir Roy stated that “the BWU was able to hold aloft, with pride, that success because the man who held the bag, the man who kept the records, the man who made sure that it came out, and came out effectively, was a man of unparalleled honesty, integrity and stick-to-itiveness.” And in relation to a point made by former President General Hugh Arthur who referred to the difficult economic period of the early 1990s when the senior staff made sacrifices, Sir Roy emphasised that a very prominent example in that selflessness was the work Comrade Rock brought to the organisation. Sir Roy added: “I have already told the Executive Council that it is not going to be easy to replace Comrade Rock and it is not because Comrade Arthur heard me; rather it is because Comrade Arthur knows it that he said ‘we will have to replace him with several persons in one jacket”. Elaborating on Comrade Rock’s work ethic, the ease with which he carried out his tasks and his ability to multitask, an attribute which was mentioned by all of the speakers at the function, Sir Roy said: “The kinds of help that he was able to bring to us are the kinds

“The challenge to those who work in the Accounts Department is going to be a major one, but the challenge will not be only in relation to the contribution Comrade Rock made in that department, but because he was part of the overall planning and programming, the agonising, and the strategic planning that the Union needed to enter into sometimes in very difficult circumstances where we had to take an inch and stretch it so that it became a mile’, said Sir Roy. BWU Treasurer Comrade Washbrook, who sat on a number of Union committees with Comrade Rock, described him as “a man of integrity, a solid gentleman and a good Anglican”. In his response, Comrade Rock traced his early days in the service of the Union which involved his overseeing of the construction of the Labour College at Mangrove, in St. Philip, the preparation of its opening, and the development of the housing project. He noted that the Union was at that time on a growth path not only in regard to the acquisition of the land at Mangrove, but in terms of the recruitment of professional staff all of which was done in a period of slow growth, and when wages were low. He added that the period of the 1970s was also characterised by major strikes which included the Clarke and Tucker Strike, the Commission Agents' Strike, the Hensher Strike and the Hotel Industry Strike. The Unionist

Sir Roy pays tribute to Comrade Rock as Comrades Evette Gibson, Toni Basombe and Gillian Alleyne look on.

Comrade Rock paid tribute to those members of staff with whom he worked during the period of the 1970s, among them Comrades Evelyn Greaves, Clifford Mayers, Levere Richards, Leroy Trotman (now Sir Roy), Laurence Nurse (now Dr.), Anne Dottin, Evette Gibson, Keith Seale, Yvonne Walkes, Veronica Griffith and Pauline Lucas (now Lady Walcott). He described Comrade Mayers, who worked in the organising department as his “soul mate” and his assistant, Anne Dottin as “my rock”. In paying special compliments to Sir Roy, Comrade Rock reflected on the two very difficult periods which the Union faced during his tenure: the years 1991 to 1994 and the present time. He recalled that during the 1991 to 1994 period the membership of the Union dipped,

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but that the General Secretary, through careful planning, set the ground work by restructuring the organisation and this placed it the position which enabled it to retain staff and withstand the period which it is now facing. Looking towards the future, Comrade Rock delivered these words of encouragement: “We need not have any fear about the youth. When I joined the Union’s staff in 1973, I was 26 years old and I had to grapple with things. The same may be said about Sir Roy and the other senior members of the staff. We were all young. I would wish all of us to encourage the young members of staff to carry on, and take up the mantle of leadership. I have no fear in relation to the youth; they will come on and find their own niche and carry the organisation forward. So thanks Comrades” Among the other speakers were Comrade Destry Jones, Comrade Rock’s successor in office, Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Veronica Griffith and Senior Assistant General Secretaries, Orlando Scott, Anne Dottin, Yvonne Walkes, Clifford Mayers and Levere Richards, Keith Seale a BWU retiree, Marsha Greenidge and former President General Hugh Arthur. g

continued from page 22

A New Era In Employment Relations statement showing the number and categories of workers to be affected and the period of time of the layoff or short-time. The Employment Rights Tribunal The function of the Tribunal is to enforce the rights provided in the Act. The Tribunal determines complaints made to it and makes awards and other decisions in relation to the complaints in accordance with the powers under the Act. A complaint made to the Tribunal has to be made through the Chief Labour Officer.

Persons may appear in person or be represented by: - legal counsel - a representative of a trade union or an employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s association - any other person whom he desires to represent him.Â Cases should be presented to the Tribunal before the end of a three month period in cases where the employment contract has ended. The Tribunal cases are open to the public except in cases where sexual harassment is alleged. g For any further information please feel free to contact the Labour Department at 310-1500 or email us at labour@ labour.gov.bb. Remember a new era has arrived giving employment rights for all.

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The 2013 Week Of Excellence

Members of the Barbados Diabetes Association carrying out blood sugar tests in Heroes’ Square during the Week of Excellence health promotion in Bridgetown, on Saturday, March 2.

embers of the planning committee of the 2013 Week of Excellence can reflect on the activities with satisfaction. All of the events, beginning with the thanksgiving service at the St. George Anglican Church, on Sunday, February 24, were very well patronised for which the Committee gives thanks to the Creator. The theme for this year’s week of Excellence was “Organisations Recognising Employee Excellence: A Key Towards Building a Better Economy”. The training activities started with a seminar for CEOs in the Private Sector and Managers in the Public Sector, which was held at the Central Bank of Barbados, on Monday, February 24 and continued on the following two days with workshops on the Safety and Health at Work (SHaW) Act at the BWU “Solidarity House” headquarters and the BWU Labour College. A training session on “Excellence”

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for senior students at the Alleyne School, St. Andrew, was held on Thursday, February 27. The crowning event was held in Heroes’ Square, Bridgetown, where the members of the Social Partnership organised two programmes; one was a health promotion exercise in which shoppers were treated to body mass index assessments and given tests for high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol by the Diabetes Association and the Knights Health Advantage Club. The other activity involved members of the planning committee meeting with the shoppers and passersby and exchanging views on service excellence. The Week of Excellence is organised by a committee composed of representatives from the Productivity Council, the Office of Public Sector Reform, the Central Bank of Barbados, the National Initiative for Service Excellence (NISE), the CTUSAB and the Barbados Workers’ Union. g

Civil Society Organisations Benefiting From HIV Grant By Fabian Todd, National HIV/AIDS Commission The Caribbean Council For Sexual Wellbeing’s project, entitled “The Girls Tea Party,” focuses on the 15-25 age group and is a short film distributed via social media (facebook and Vimeo) as an active intervention to effect behavioural change among youth who are exposed to high risk sexual behaviour. The well put together production actively helps individuals perceive whether they might be at risk of HIV, to reduce the risk and equip them with the necessary skills to enable others to protect themselves from contracting HIV.

Mr. Rodney Grant, CEO, The Pinelands Creative Workshop

everal local Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations, have been achieving success through various projects executed with the support of grants from the National HIV/AIDS Commission. Some of the several projects executed already, range from short films highlighting HIV awareness, public service announcements tailored specifically for the disabled community, Social media HIV awareness campaigns geared towards youth and technical working sessions utilising dramaturgical techniques to build a greater awareness of HIV and AIDS. Recipients, The Pinelands Creative Workshop, Caribbean Council For Sexual Wellbeing, Barbados Council for the Disabled and Media Support International, all believe that the grant system is an excellent avenue for Civil Society Organisations to play their part in the crucial response to HIV here in Barbados.

All Civil Society Organisations applying for a grant, valued between Barbados $10 000 and $20 000, must focus their HIV-related project on “key populations”. One of these key populations is the disabled community. The Barbados Council for the Disabled expanded on its Sexual Reproductive Health programme by focusing on young adults with disabilities. According to the Council, it was in an effort to educate young adults with disabilities who were extremely marginalised by mainstream agencies’ lack of addressing sexual reproductive health issues. To date the council has produced two thirty second public service announcements (PSAs) focusing on safe sex. These PSAs are currently being aired on CBC TV 8. Media Support International (MSI), another CSO grantee, used the annual Island Queen competition to undergo a HIV and AIDS awareness campaign entitled “I Am Aware.” Its aim is intended to change the unsafe sexual practices of young Barbadians as well as any discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV. The “I Am Aware” campaign transformed the contestants into “soldiers of awareness” providing them with a level of training which would empower them to be able to further educate and encourage their

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“I Am Aware” Campaign Participants

peers and others to practice safer sexual behaviours. Elements of the “I Am Aware” campaign were also included in their photo shoots, swimwear line, and the Island Queen TV reality show. MSI as part of its project also produced a series of public service messages for television and social media focusing on safe sex, abstinence as well as HIV stigma and discrimination. The Pinelands Creative Workshop’s (PCW) project captured and highlighted the perception of youth about HIV and AIDS. PCW used a “feedback loop approach” which included technical sessions to educate and sensitise the target groups about the facts of the pandemic. The perceptions of the youth and the technical information from experts were then used to develop “dramaturgies” for on-going use to further sensitise youth as well as other populations. This Public Sector Civil Society Grant System continues, and the National HIV/AIDS Commission is encouraging all locally-based organisations to get their proposals in. All projects should seek to further increase the adoption of safe behaviours and increase access to prevention, treatment and social care for key populations.

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“I Am Aware” - Island Queen TV Merchandise

Eligible applicants would include: all structured Barbados-based civil society organisation’s who engage in HIV programming; all Barbados-based civil society organisations with a recognised record of achievement in the community and a track record of integrity which wish to undertake HIV programming; and/or all Barbados-based civil society organisations with the capacity to manage and successfully implement the proposed HIV activity/ intervention. Charitable organisations registered in Barbados which are willing to undertake HIV related interventions are also eligible. Interested parties can collect proposal forms from the NHAC at its Warren’s office. All applications will be acknowledged but should there be no confirmation of submission received, the office can be contacted at email csogrants@hiv-aids.gov.bb or at telephone number 310-1000/2. Proposals must be submitted in writing on the Civil Society Organisation Grant Proposal Form must not exceed ten (10) pages inclusive of the Form and appendices. Where a joint proposal is submitted, the Proposal Form must be accompanied by a letter of agreement signed by the partnering organisation. (NHAC) g

Stress and Work

s there a link between stress and increased levels of absenteeism? “Yes, there is’, states Unite the Union, one of the UK’s leading trade unions. A guide book on ‘Work-Related Stress”, published by Unite the Union, states that apart from the misery stress causes both at work and at home, issues such as low morale and productivity, increased levels of absenteeism, high staff turnover, lack of innovation and poor safety performance are a few of the workplace symptoms that stress can give rise to. According to the publication, in the UK today, about a third of all new instances of work-related ill health can be attributed to stress. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK states that more than 10 million working days are lost each year. On average each person suffering from stress takes 27 days off work and in successive British Trade Union Congress surveys since 1996, by far the most common problem for safety representatives to deal with is overwork or stress. The booklet notes that stress affects people in different ways. For example, a level of pressure which one person might find stimulating may cause a serious problem to another. What is of concern are not so

much the particular reactions a person may have to a cause of stress, but rather the extent of that reaction, and whether or not the person concerned can cope with it. As a result of the differences in individuals’ reaction, stress is often seen as an individual problem, in spite of the fact that stress affects everyone to a greater or lesser extent. Employers will often use the excuse that stress is an individual problem that is caused by factors outside of work, nor mal day-today pressures, domestic and family problems, difficulties with transport, health, noising neighbour, among other things. Work is still one of the main causes of stress and can intensify problems which result from stress caused by personal factors. But what is stress? The HSE defines stress as ‘the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed on them. A distinction is made between the level of pressure that is an acceptable challenge which speeds our reactions and sharpens our perceptions to produce good results in the workplace, and the destructive nature of stress where lives are dominated by sleepless nights, anxiety, dread, depression and physical ill

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health, reactions to demands and unacceptable pressures that an individual perceives they cannot cope with. The Symptoms of Stress Symptoms of stress are evident from physical, metal or behavioural changes. Effects of work-related stress on the body can be divided into two categories. Short-term Anxiety, boredom Headaches, fatigue Indigestion, heartburn Dry mouth, lump in the throat Irritability, depression Musculoskeletal tension, pain, difficulty sleeping Dry skin and rashes Long term Neurosis Insomnia Hypertension and chest pains Cough and asthma Gastrointestinal disorders, ulcers Impotence in men and menstrual disorders in women. According to the booklet on work-related stress, the foregoing lists are not definitive and because a symptom does not appear on them it does not mean that the particular illness is NOT caused by stress. On the other hand, many of the symptoms are indicative of problems other than stress. Some might be problems for which medical attention should be sought as soon as possible, others might be problems caused by the physical properties of the work environment, and for example, photocopier fumes, among other things. Once the symptom(s) has made itself apparent, it can be treated but this is not the end of the story. If the symptom only is treated and nothing is done about the underlying causes the problem will not go away, it will just ne hidden from view, possibly to reappear in another form at a later date. g 32

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continued from page 23

Labour Will Not Discontinue Its Efforts To Build A Just Society Sir Roy was pleased to see that to a very good extent the DLP Government had seen itself ready to copy from that Decent Work Agenda that the ILO had in fact embraced. He hoped that the leaders of the BLP, (who he said were not in their seats as he was speaking), would hear the comment in which he suggested that they, too, would ensure that their Party would now continue to respect the principles of the ILO and of the Committee for Human Rights within the UN so that when we spoke to the issues of the development of people, we neither lost sight of the UN Human Rights Commission, nor would we lose sight of the ILO. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If those two very powerful political parties in Barbados will embrace that single objective, then I believe that those other peripheral parties, as they grow up they will learn as well to embrace similar viewsâ&#x20AC;?, he said. g

Psalm 134 Ecce, quam bonum!

Behold, how god and joyful a thing it is: brethren, to dwell together in unity! it is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down unto the beard: even unto Aaron's beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing. Like as the dew of Hermon: which fell upon the hill of Sion. For there the Lord promised his blessing: and life for evermore.

Occupational Diseases Cause Huge Suffering The paper further notes that when prevention and control measures at work fail, occupational diseases can occur. While diseases such as pneumoconiosis (a disease of the lungs caused by inhaling mineral or metallic dust over a long period) caused by traditional occupational hazards are still widespread, new occupational diseases such as mental and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are still on the rise. And in the ILO’s view, work that causes serious occupational diseases represents an unacceptable decent work deficit.

iseases caused by work kill six times more workers than work-related accidents, according to International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates. A paper on “The Prevention of Occupational Diseases’ by the ILO which examines the scale and dynamic nature of occupational diseases and the challenges associated with their prevention, observes that occupational diseases cause huge suffering and losses to workers, businesses, social security funds and societies at large. The paper stresses that effective recognition and prevention of occupational diseases are thus essential for sound national occupational safety and health (OSH) programmes and for making decent work a reality. The sad part however is that the issue has not yet received adequate attention in most countries.

Looking at the scale of the problem, the ILO estimates that there are globally about 2.02 million deaths annually caused by disease due to work, while the annual global number of cases of non-fatal workrelated diseases is estimated to be 160. In addition to causing immeasurable human suffering to victims and their families, such diseases entail major economic losses for enterprises and societies as a whole, such as lost productivity and reduced work capacity. Globally, the ILO estimates that round 4 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), or about US$2.8 trillion, is lost owing to work-related accidents and diseases in direct and indirect costs. The paper states that while the mechanisation of working processes and improvement of working conditions had led to a reduction on occupational diseases in some countries, and sectors, a number of other countries, such as China, France and Italy, for example, had witnessed an increase. The paper stated that types of reported diseases varied between countries and were changing. It also listed a range of countries stretching from the Far East, through Europe to Latin America where diseases were sharply increasing, among them – musculoskeletal disorders in the Republic of Korea; and in Japan, an increasing

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number of cases of mental disorder. The paper was quick to state that caution was needed in interpreting these changes, because increases in statistics could be due to a number of reasons, including better systems for recognition, including improvements in health surveillance and compensation; changes in work process and organisation; better awareness of occupational diseases among workers and employers; broadening of the definition of occupational diseases and; and impact of long-latency diseases. In addition, the paper noted that some countries collected data from a broader perspective. For example, the UK data from Labour Force Surveys showed a total of 1,073, 000 cases of self-reported illnesses caused by, or made worse by, work in 2011-12 (principally musculoskeletal disorders and illnesses related to stress, depression and anxiety). The economic losses attributed to occupational diseases have been evidenced in countries with good data collection systems. A study calculates the cost of work-related diseases to a minimum of 145 billion pounds per year in the European Union (EU). A New Zealand report indicated that the total financial cost for occupational injury and disease in 2004-2005 was 4.9 billion New Zealand dollars (NZD) (3.4 per cent of GDP), excluding the cost of suffering and early death. Financial costs per case for occupational cancer are nearly NZD700 00 with total costs per case of NZD2.9 million, far higher than any other category. Emerging risks and new challenges Alongside traditional workplace hazards, new occupational risks are emerging as a result of technical innovation and social changes. Where technological changes are introduced, they are often not accompanied by prevention measures against well-known occupational safety and health risks. In the last 20 years there has been an enormous growth in the number of new chemicals used in the industrial environment, many of which have not been adequately tested. New materials, such as nanomaterials, in the

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workplace pose a new challenge. Emerging physical risks include poor ergonomic conditions at work, electromagnetic radiation and high psychosocial and mental demands and constraints. The European Commission reports that Musculoskeletal Disorders account for the highest number of absences (49.9 per cent of all absences of more than three days) and cases of permanent incapacity for work (60 per cent). Unclear division of responsibilities of different government departments sometimes undermines prevention of occupational diseases. Government responsibilities for health and safety at work often belong to the labour and health ministries. Similarly, technological choices, design of workplaces and equipment, specifications and technical standards, as well as prohibition, licensing and authorisation, involve a wide variety of actors and institutions. Some of the other challenges listed by the paper relate to the changing patterns of employment, such as restructured work organisation, downsizing, attrition of the workforce, subcontracting and outsourcing, especially when they occur in times of downturn with high unemployment, can increase workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; acceptance of work with health risks while making it more difficult to ensure adequate monitoring of workplace conditions. In addition to the above, the paper states that intensified migration, ageing of the workforce, growing participation of women in the labour force, increasing numbers of workers in temporary or casual work and the continued significance of the informal economy create complications for health surveillance and additional difficulties for the effective implementation of strategies for occupational disease prevention. Rural workers and workers in the informal economy and small and medium-sized enterprises are likely to face high levels of risk, not least because they tend to be outside the systems which diagnose and report on occupational diseases. g

Role Of Employers'/ Workers’ Organisations In Disease Prevention

ctive participation of employers and workers’ organisations is important for the development of national policies and programmes for the prevention of occupational disease. According to the ILO, at the enterprise level, employers have a duty to prevent such diseases by taking preventive and protective measures through assessment and control of risks at work. In addition, managers, supervisors and occupational safety and health professionals, as well as workers, their safety and health representatives and trade unions, all have important roles to play through effective social dialogues and participation. The ILO advises that the inclusion of occupational safety and health clauses in collective bargaining agreements can also be an essential tool to improve occupational safety and health at the workplace and branch levels in the formulation, supervision and implementation of policies and programmes on occupational disease prevention through improvement of working conditions and environment.

The ILO also suggests that employers’ and workers’ organisations also play an active role in training and education. A number of employers’ organisations arrange training for their affiliates on prevention of occupations diseases. Some workers organisations prepare and distribute practical training materials; for example, the hairdressing sector trade union UNI Europa Hair and Beauty and employers’ organisation Coiffure EU, the Employers’ Group of Professional Agricultural Organisations in the European U n i o n (GeopaCopa), the International R o a d Transport Union, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise and the European Bitumen Association used the ILO list as a reference in their efforts to prevent occupational diseases such as skin diseases due to radiation. Furthermore PSI has created a user-friendly database of labour standards on OSH issues. g

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Work And Health – The Relationship

very year around 170 million working days are lost in Great Britain due to people being too ill to go to work. The best way of reducing that number is by trying to prevent workers getting ill in the first place, states the British TUC. Work and Health – the Relationship Overall, unemployed people have around two to three times the ill health rate of those in employment and a 20 per cent higher death rate. It is estimated that being unemployed is a greater risk to health even than working in one of the most dangerous occupations such as construction or offshore oil drilling, states an article on Work and well-being, published by the British TUC. Under the sub head, ‘Work and health – the Relationship’, the article states that not being at work can have a devastating effect on health. The article claims that unemployed people have much higher levels of both heart and lung disease. They also have substantially higher rates of mental health disorders, alcoholism and suicide. The article had earlier noted that the relationship between work and health is very complex. It stated that work is responsible for an estimated 27 million

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days lost to ill health in Britain each year. Of these, 23 million days are due to work-related ill health and four million due to workplace injury. Around 1.1 million people in Britain who are currently at work are suffering from ill health which they think is workrelated. According to the article, it is not simply whether someone is employed or unemployed that makes a difference to their health, it is also what they are doing. Those who are not working but have access to a reasonable income and are active through voluntary or community work with a lot of social interaction with others do not have increased health risks.

Meanwhile those on low pay who are working long hours or have no or little control over their work can suffer the same health problems as those who are unemployed. Clearly the link between health and work is not as simple as we are often told by those who claim that work is good for you. Much of the emphasis so far on good work, states the article, has been on using work to help improve mental well-being. In fact, good work is just as much as about physical well-being. There is a growing consensus that, in many cases, physical illness can cause mental illness and vice versa. Many physical problems that manifest themselves such as back pain or Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) have a psychological cause and are as much to do with work-related stress as bad manual handling to or repetitive movements. This has led some to conclude that it is more important to concentrate on psychosocial factors at work than physical ones. Preventing Stress At Work Unfortunately some people have misinterpreted this as meaning that you should forget about improving the physical environment and, instead, try to prevent musculoskeletal disorders through preventing stress at work â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a view that could have very dangerous consequences. You have to do both. Work can also create other health problems. There is a strong link between stress and the use of tobacco, recreational drugs and alcohol. Also having a job that involves sitting down all the time or only having access to junk food during a 20-minute lunch break can lead to obesity and diabetes. Trade unions believe that the best way to prevent those is to try to remove the causes while at the same time supporting anyone whose health does suffer as a result.

Working Conditions The article states that the main indicator of whether workers in an organisation will be likely to have their health affected by their work is the working conditions. In workplaces where less concern is given to risk assessments and the prevention of stress, and where there is generally seen to be poor management, workers are far more likely to have higher rates of absence and illness. Another factor is whether management treats their workforce with respect and involve them. g

Psalm 150

O praise God in his holiness: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him in his noble act: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him in the sounds of the trumpet: praise him upon the lute and the harp. Praise him in the cymbals and dances: praise him upon the strings and pipe. Praise him upon the well-tuned cymbals: praise him upon the loud cymbals. let everything that hath breath; praise the Lord.

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A Synopsis of the Safety and Health at Work Act (Cap 356) By Errol Goodridge, Safety and Health Section, Labour Department

he Safety and Health at Work Act (Cap 356) was proclaimed on January 1st 2013. It ushered in a new era where all workplaces with the exception of domestic households and the military are covered by safety and health legislation. The Factories Act, which preceded the Safety and Health at Work, only covered workers in factories and factory-defined operations. Many of the provisions of the Factories Act have been retained in the Safety and Health at Work Act, for example the requirements to ensure that dangerous parts of machinery are safeguarded, safe arrangements are in place for confined space entry (s 45) and annual examinations of lifting equipment and pressure vessels by Competent Persons. Some of the requirements in the new Act represent an addition or enhancement to what previously obtained in the Factories Act. Some of new features are as follows: 1. The duties of the employer and employee are more explicit 2. New requirements for systematic management of workplace hazards 3. Enhanced provisions for workers consultation 4. Protection for new and expectant mothers 5. Enhanced enforcement provisions

EXIT FIRST AID

Employer/ Employees’ Duties • The Act imposes specific duties on employers/ occupiers and employees. Section 6(6) outlines the duties of the employers/ occupiers as follows: • Provision and maintenance of a safe workplace • Provision and maintenance of safe plant and safe systems of work • The provision of safe arrangements for safe storage, transport and use of articles and substances

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• Provision of adequate information, instruction, training and supervision • Provision of a safe working environment and adequate welfare facilities • Provision that the prescribed ergonomic standards are met at the workplace. The employee also has duties assigned to him under the legislation. Section 9 of the Act imposes the following duties on employees: • Reasonable care of your own safety and others • Cooperate with the employer in the discharge of his statutory duties • Report to the employer unsafe conditions, breaches of the Act and accidents. • Use personal protective equipment when provided. Safety Organisation The goal of any safety and health programme is the prevention of accidents and ill-health. Thus any safety and health programmes should have the arrangements in place to do the following: • IDENTIFY hazards and risks • ANALYSE and determine nature of hazards and risks, how they affect the worker and measures to be taken • CORRECT situations, introduce improvements • FOLLOW UP measures taken and the effects to ensure that no new problems have been introduced The Act provides the framework for the systematic identification of hazards, evaluation of risks and the subsequent development of controls to eliminate 40

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and reduce the risks. A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm. Risk refers to the likelihood of the hazard causing injury or damage and the severity of the consequences, in terms of the nature of the injury and the numbers of persons affected. Risk assessment is therefore one of the key provisions of the Act. Section 6 (2) of the Act states that “No occupier shall carry on any work or put into use any equipment, material, article or substance in a workplace unless a suitable and sufficient assessment if the risks likely to arise in the circumstances and of the steps to be taken to eliminate or minimize such risks to safety or health has been undertaken.” Section 6 (3) requires that such assessments shall be reviewed whenever there is a material change in the circumstances under which the work is carried out. Another key provision is found in Section 7(4) where employers are required to have a safety and health policy. Section 7(4) states: “It shall be the duty of every occupier to prepare and as often as may be appropriate, revise a statement of general policy with respect to workplace, safety, health and welfare, and the organisation and arrangements for the time being in force for carrying out the policy, and to bring the policy and any revisions of it to the notice of all employees.” Such a policy in an organisation with more than 10 employees has to be written and must have the following elements: • The statement of intent: The statement of intent section sets out your commitment to managing health and safety effectively, as well as your safety and health objectives. • The organisation section of your policy: The organisation section details the roles and responsibilities of individuals for implementation of various aspects of the policy. • The arrangements section of your policy: The arrangements section contains the detail of what

you are going to do in practice to achieve the aims set out in your statement of intent. The Safety and Health Policy has to be communicated to all staff members. It is important to note that both the provisions for risk assessments and the safety policy, anticipates that there will be a need for monitoring and review. Workers' Participation The Act contains enhanced provisions for workers consultation. Section 103 requires the employer to: • Consult with his employees or their representatives for the purpose of developing measures to promote safety and health at such a workplace; and • Make arrangements for the participation of the employees in the improvement and development of such measures. Section 103 prescribes the nature of this consultation. In organisation with 25 or more employees this consultation shall take the form of a meeting of the • Health and Safety Committee consisting of equal number of representatives appointed by the employer and employees. Section 103 also states that: • Health and Safety Committee shall meet no less than once a quarter; • Employees’ representatives are to have access to all copies of all reports and information relating to safety and health conditions and the environment; • The recommendations of the Health and Safety committee shall be implemented if practical. Where the organisation has less than 25 employees and is it not practical to form a Health and safety Committee, then safety delegates may be chosen.

Provisions for the Prevention of Ill-health Employers have specific duties under the Act for ensuring that adequate arrangements are in place to for the prevention of ill –health. A synopsis of some of these requirements can be found below: • Section 51 requires that workplace temperature is adequately controlled or in the case of cold environments suitable personal protective equipment be provided; • Section 52 requires that effective and suitable provision shall be made for circulation of fresh air and removal of all substances, fumes, dust and other impurities that are likely to be injurious to health • Section 54 specifies that workplaces should not be overcrowded; • Section 55 requires that sufficient and suitable lighting be provided; and • Section 56 requires employers to ensure that adequate arrangements are in place to protect workers from harmful exposure to noise and vibration including occupational health surveillance. New and Expectant Mothers Section 6 (7) of the Act requires employers on notification of pregnancy by a female employee to adapt the working conditions to ensure that she is not exposed to chemicals, substances or anything dangerous to the health of the unborn child or subjected to working conditions dangerous to the health of the unborn child. In practice an employer would need to conduct a job risk assessment to ensure that there are not elements of the job that are hazardous to either the employee or her child. Where necessary and where possible the employer is to offer her suitable alternative work during pregnancy and for 6 months after the birth of the child. The Unionist

Enhanced Enforcement provisions

Administration of the Act

Section 97 authorises Safety and Health officers to enter any workplace to inspect or conduct any investigation to ascertain compliance with the Act. In pursuance of their duties Safety and Health Officers may take measurements, photographs and take recordings as necessary. In addition the Act enables the Chief Labour Officer to issue prohibition and improvement notices. The improvement notices are issued where there has been a contravention of the provisions of the Act and there is a likelihood that this contravention will continue. Prohibition notices are issued where there is a risk of bodily injury or ill-health.

The Labour Department, through its Occupational Safety and Health Section, has the main responsibility for the administration of statutory provisions relating to safety and health and the promotion of ‘best practice’ towards achieving acceptable working conditions. The Department pursues this goal by working with employers and workers through a range of safety programmes which include:

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• • • • •

Routine Workplace Inspections Accident Investigations Consultancy Investigation of Complaints Public Awareness Training

Bringing Trade Union History Alive by Wilma Clement The tour began just after 4:30 p.m., led by Comrade Ulric Sealy, recently retired Principal of the BWU Labour College who acted as tour guide; and he did not disappoint. Beginning at Queen’s Park, the Gender Committee members heard of Queen’s Park House as the place where in 1938, the Royal (Moyne) Commission received testimony from Barbadians of all walks of life, as it investigated the Riots in the British Colonies.

unday April 14, 2013 was a special day for the Barbados Workers’ Union Gender Equality Committee. Members of the Committee, accompanied by family members, were led on a tour with a difference throughout Bridgetown. This initiative came out of a recent committee meeting when members thought that even as workers enjoyed the Historic Tours of Bridgetown and its Garrison as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was just as important for them to understand the history which was created by the Labour Movement in Barbados, prior to the 1937 disturbances.

They imagined the Right Excellent Sir Frank Walcott standing on the balcony of the original headquarters of the Progressive League and the Barbados Workers’ Union on the corner of Nelson and Fairchild streets, addressing large crowds gathered in the Fairchild Street market square. They also gave a long and steady look at the bust of National Hero, the Right Excellent Clement Payne in the historic Golden Square, and imagined hearing the many fiery addresses he delivered before the crowds of city dwellers, as he raised the many social issues affecting the working class in Barbados. Gender Committee members admired Martineau House on Bay Street, the place where the first meetings of the Barbados Progressive League were held. They later ventured down to the Pierhead to see the area on which the Central Foundry previously stood, and the once stately Screw Docks lumbering under heavy rust and salt spray. The Central Foundry workers were among the early members of the BWU. Members captured a picture of the Careenage as it was in the 1600s, heavily in use on both sides,

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The Minister of Labour, Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo as she spoke on International Women's Day at "Solidarity House", BWU Headquarters on March 8th. On her right is Comrade Wesley Chase, co-chair, BWU Gender Equality Committee, who presented her with a petition, which called on Government to ratify ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers.

bringing all of Barbados’ needs including slaves, and exporting goods, especially sugar and molasses. A tour of Heroes’ Square revealed the importance of the Parliament Buildings, the place where several pieces of Social and Labour Legislation of benefit to the workers, were passed. They pinpointed the locations of the Fogarty and Cave Shepherd fires (of the 1970s) and the impetus of those events for Severance Payments Legislation in 1973. They also sought to identify the exact location of the alley where slaves were driven from the ships to the square for sale. A closer look at Broad Street, revealed an interesting story, the Barbados Advocate headquarters and the famous strike of thirteen weeks in 1956. The group then moved onto Roebuck Street and “Unity House”, the site of the first ‘Labour College’ of the Barbados Workers’ Union where they heard of Executive Council meetings and the large crowds flowing into the street, when they attended union meetings. Members agreed that this location would have been a constant reminder to the many merchants whose

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businesses were set up along both sides of Roebuck Street, that the Barbados Workers’ Union was present and willing to represent the interest of workers. Members agreed that the tour had exceeded expectations. They were disappointed that fading light did not allow for them to visit Whitepark Road and the site of Cods House in the vicinity of the Police car park, where the proclamation for the freedom of the slaves was made on 1 August 1834. They were also unable to see the site of the Bridgetown Foundry, on which the Supreme Court now sits. The workers of the Bridgetown Foundry were among the first members of the Union, and the Foundry was the location of early Union protests. The tour however learnt of the story of the late McD Brathwaite and the strike of 1944 and were saddened at the ‘Pryor Jones’ fatality at that foundry. Members agreed that the tour had brought the history of the Barbados Workers’ Union alive and had reinforced the struggle and importance of the institution in Barbadian society. g

Tribute To

Sir Branford Taitt “Sir Branford, as most people know, was the consummate politician. I would venture to say that, in the latter years, he moved from that position to become the consummate statesman. “My more active political life, I did have a political life, owes much to my friend and brother Branford. I owe much to him for developing my basic outreach efforts, focusing them, streamlining them and having them developed into a brand of representation which I would offer to any young political aspirant as the way through which, not only to gain but, to retain the respect and the goodwill of their constituents including those who have faced the polls and did not manage to change the bottom line of results.

Sir Branford Mayhew Taitt Former President of the Senate Former Member of Parliament and Minister Former General Secretary and Member of the Democratic Labour Party

he following is a tribute paid by Senator Sir Roy Trotman, General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union to mark the passing of Sir Branford Mayhew Taitt, K.A., former President of the Senate. Speaking in the Senate during debate on the Estimates on Tuesday, March 26, Sir Roy said: “…..I was not here for the very second meeting of the Senate to record very brief comments of respect on the passing, not the passing so much, as commemorative expressions for Sir Branford, my friend, mentor and colleague

“Madam President, I am told by many people, among them some persons here present in this Senate Chamber, that as a Minister of Health, Sir Branford was the very best that there was in post-Independence Barbados. I believe that is indicative of the nature of the man. “When we first became close friends, he was also the most fearless minister responsible for Trade and Price Controls. I still respect very much that period of our history and though he did not exactly succeed, I think we owe much to that period for the way in which we have continued to take on that challenge of runaway pricing and to endeavour to keep Barbados within the vision of those of us who would wish to be consumers of our services and goods. I would wish to join with those who spoke at that meeting which was held on that last occasion to express condolences to his family and to wish that his soul, as well as the soul of the other faithfully departed, would rest in peace” . g

Errol Barrow Day Celebrations

1. BWU President General Linda Brooks is supported by BWU Treasurer Washbrook Bayne as she unveils the new BWU Labour College sign at Mangrove, St. Philip, on Errol Barrow Day. 2. BWU General Secretary Senator Sir Roy Trotman places a wreath in honour of Barbados National Hero Rt. Excellent Errol Walton Barrow 3. At centre, children from the adopted schools perform during the Errol Barrow Day function at the Labour College. 4. Lower left, BWU General Secretary Sir Roy Trotman presents former principal of the St. Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mangrove Primary School, Mrs Janice Thompsonwith a plaque in recognition of her outstanding work in training students to perform at cultural events such as Errol Barrow Day. 5. At bottom right, BWU President General Linda Brooks presents Major Patrick Skeete, retired officer of the Barbados Cadet Corps with a plaque in appreciation of his many years of assistance to the BWU in the planning of May Day functions.