The acting labor Commissioner Ms. Shernel James was the special guest speaker on the Government’s weekly program ‘Working for You’.
Ms James stated that she has been appointed as the acting Labor Commissioner since March 1st, 2016 and that she has 30 years experience in the Department of Labor. The Labor Department in responsible for working with all labor administrations such as labor legislation and labor policy and that the department was formed out of the bowels of unrest, and that the Labor Commissioner has the right to ensure that every complaint that comes to the department of labor is settled and that the workplace is safe and healthy Ms James said.
Ms James further stated the meaning of labor inspections and social inspections. She then went on to state that during inspections if an employee has been paying a worker below minimum wage, he is advised to cease and to pay all funds owing to the said worker. In regards to health and safety the air quality is checked as long as with the bathroom facilities and proper exists etc. Ms James then listed some of the legislation such as the Labor act which looks to the power and appointment of the commissioner and the Minimum Wage act which sets out how the minimum wage is established and that the hours of work are listed such as 8 hours per day and that overtime should be paid at time and a half.
In terms of educating the workforce in terms of their rights and responsibilities Ms James aid that they have produced brochures over the years and that there is a facebook page and a five minute program that is aired.