|
|
e. Acceptable Conditions of Work.
The law sets minimum wages, which were last promulgated in 1989. They vary by sector and type of work and are specified for several skilled categories, including attendants, packers, cleaners, porters, watchmen, and clerks. In agriculture the wage for workers provided shelter is $0.82 (EC$2.25) per hour; skilled industrial workers earn $7.36 (EC$20) per day, and unskilled workers earn $3.68 (EC$10) per day. In many sectors the minimum wage is not sufficient to provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family, but most workers earn more than the minimum. The Wages Council, according to law, should meet every 2 years to review the minimum wage, but it has not met since 1989. However, in mid-year the Cabinet agreed to convene a new Wages Council to discuss changes to the minimum wage. At year's end, the council's meeting was postponed until March 2000.
There is no legislation concerning the length of the workweek; however, the general practice is to work 40 hours in 5 days. The law provides workers a minimum annual vacation of 2 weeks.
According to the Ministry of Labor,
legislation concerning occupational safety and health is outdated. The most
recent legislation, the Factories Act of 1955, has some regulations concerning
only factories, but enforcement of these regulations is ineffective. Workers
enjoy a reasonably safe working environment; however, the trade unions have
dealt with some violations relating to safety gear, long overtime hours, and the
safety of machinery. There were some reports of significant visual deficiency by
visual display unit workers, and some reports of hearing impairment by power
station and stone crushing employees. It was not clear under present legislation
whether workers have the right to remove themselves from work situations that
endanger health or safety without jeopardy to their continued employment.
From: Country
Reports on Human Rights
February 2000
Practices for 1999
Released by the Bureau of
Democracy,
Human Rights, and Labor
U.S. Department of State
