The three day Basic Training Course for Labour Inspectors and Officers opened this morning (July 17th) at the Sunset Shores Hotel and was represented by Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. There were representatives also from the Employers Federation and Commercial Technical and Allied Workers Union (CTAWU).

Addressing the Inspectors, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Urban Development, Andreas Wickham said over the next three days the labour inspectors from the region will be exposed to the procedures for planning, conducting, reporting and following up on labour inspections in keeping with the nationally and internationally accepted standards. He said the workshop is expected to assist in honing skills and building capacity in the area of labour relations and management.

Minister with responsibility for Labour Relations, Hon Rene Baptiste, said on assuming this ministerial portfolio and listening to presentations from the Labour Department at pre-budget sessions she was somewhat befuddled, and felt that the need for a modern legislative platform to empower the labour inspectorate to function was sadly missing. Minister Baptiste further pointed out that she is aware that there are weaknesses in the structure despite the fact that the inspectors sought to discharge their functions in the existing environment. According to Baptiste there is need for a vigorous public education and awareness programme. This she said would be important so that stakeholders and state actors would all take the inspectorate seriously.

"Publicity, feedback and follow-up are essential matters to permit the inspectorate to have meaningful impact and to gain respect" she said. Minister Baptiste complimented the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Office for ensuring that training opportunities are always available to its constituents and hopes that the training will be continuous. The workshop is aimed at enhancing social protection at the workplace and the working environment with particular focus on the labour inspection as an essential element in labour administration.