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2.2 Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier of the Minister for Social Security regarding actions in response to I.L.O. recommendations relating to the Employment Relations (Jersey) Law 2007:
What actions, if any, does the Minister propose to take in response to the International Labour Organisation's (I.L.O.) recommendations following its upholding of the complaint that the Employment Relations (Jersey) Law 2007 and its associated codes, were in violation of the principles of freedom of association?
Senator P.F. Routier (The Minister for Social Security):
I will be taking advice over the coming weeks and will carefully consider the Committee's
comments which have been made in the form of a report, in which the Committee of Freedom of
Association requests to be kept informed of developments. Once I have considered that advice I will then be in a position to decide what action, if any, will be required.
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
Can the Minister confirm that such actions will include the request by the Committee to pursue its review of the Employment Relations (Jersey) Law and its accompanying codes in full and frank consultations with the employers' and workers' organisations concerned?
Senator P.F. Routier:
I cannot confirm what actions I will be taking but I will obviously take the advice that I am given. The consultation period for the codes of practice will be happening soon and we will obviously be listening to what employers and employers' associations have to say.
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
The Minister mentions the word "soon", can he give a timescale in which he will engage in active consultation over the codes of practice and the law on which they are based?
Senator P.F. Routier:
The Deputy is asking a written question in regard to the codes of practice and I refer him to that answer. With regards to the Law, I will take advice from people and decide whether the Law itself needs to be looked at. But the Law has been passed by the States in a freely democratic manner and we should be proud of that Law.
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
Notwithstanding the Minister's previous answers, does the Minister not accept that it is, at the least, unfortunate that at this time when we are increasing our international profile we should have been held to account by the ILO (International Labour Organisation) for an employment law which does not respect accepted codes?
Senator P.F. Routier:
Every jurisdiction has the ability to pass laws which they feel are appropriate for their jurisdiction. We have done that and the Transport and General Workers' Union and the Deputy are trying to hype this up to some unreasonable amount. The ILO continues to review laws across the whole of
the world. Out of interest, Members may like to know that this is case 2,473 of which they continue to ask jurisdictions to review their position, and they do so on a request basis, and this is aspirations which they have for jurisdictions to have. Every jurisdiction has the ability to decide a law which is appropriate for themselves.
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