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Prime Minister's Press Secretary
Monday, March 20, 2006 - Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony has assured
the leadership of the recently-established St. Lucia Trade Union Federation that
the long-awaited Labour Code will be passed during the current parliamentary
term.
The members of the leadership of the St. Lucia Trade Union Federation paid a
courtesy call on the Prime Minister on Friday, during which the umbrella trade
union organisation and the leader of Government engaged in cordial discussions
on issues affecting and concerning the island's workers and their trade unions.
Dr. Anthony welcomed the establishment of the local umbrella body, indicating it
was “a positive development in the interest of the workers and their trade
unions, as they will now be able to speak in one voice on national issues.”
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to update the workers' representatives
on the status of the Labour Code and assured them that “it will be enacted in
this parliamentary term.”
He explained that following a long period of review by the social partners which
resulted in several approved amendments and changes, “the Attorney General's
Department is now making the final review for submission to the Cabinet of
Ministers.”
Following the final drafting by the AG's Department, the PM said, “the document
will again be shared with the social partners and finalised for parliamentary
approval.”
The St. Lucia Trade Union Federation was established in November 2005 and it
represents all the trade unions on the island, except the National Workers
Union.
The Federation's President is Mr. Joseph Dosserie of the Civil Service
Association and its Executive includes representatives of the St. Lucia Teachers
Union and the Seamen and Waterfront General Workers Union.
Also attending the meeting with the Prime Minister on Friday were members of the
St. Lucia Nurses Association and the St. Lucia Fire Service staff association.
The Federation's President, Mr. Dosserie, says the meeting took place “in a
relaxed atmosphere and a very cordial environment.”
