The public normally has to wait until Complaints Commissioner Elton Georges issues a special report to hear the details of one his investigations into a complaint against government, but last month in the House of Assembly Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering used some of his time in the budget debate to air his gripes on an ongoing probe.
In a statement issued after the HOA sitting, Mr. Georges said the investigation concerns a complaint filed by a worker against her former employer over unpaid wages. According to the Labour Code, when such a dispute cannot be resolved by the labour commissioner or the minister, it must be referred to the Arbitration Tribunal.
Dr. Pickering, who is the minister of natural resources and labour, said Mr. Georges’ “old school” approach — sending a written request seeking an interview or written response — comes across as an intimidation tactic.
In his statement, Mr. Georges said his latest memo to the ministry was not intended to intimidate, but to point out that in two years, different governments have not put a tribunal in place.
“The point of main concern for this statement is that successive administrations have failed in 24 months to appoint the key body of the Labour Code, 2010 for final dispute resolution: the arbitral tribunal,” the statement says.
See the Jan. 10, 2013 edition for full coverage.
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