LABOUR INSPECTORS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN ENSURING A POSITIVE SAFETY AND HEALTH CULTURE IN THE WORKPLACE

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 29, 2022 (SKNIS): A positive safety and health culture is important for optimal functioning of the workplace environment allowing for greater productivity. In St. Kitts and Nevis, the Department of Labour has taken a holistic approach to ensure workplace safety and health by enacting legislation and modern safety protocols. The Department of Labour’s labour inspectors play a critical role in fostering a positive safety and health culture in the workplace.

“The Labour Act at Chap 11 speaks to the duties of the labour inspector and it states that a) to investigate whether the law is enforced in regards of the conditions of employment and the protection for workers in their occupation are duly applied; b) to give practical information and advice when necessary to employer and workers as to the most effective means of complying with existing laws; C) to indicate in his/her inspection reports difficulties or abuses specifically covered by existing laws outlined in the ILO recommendations which basically say where there is a lapse in the local legislation, the ILO recommendations would then take precedence. D) to visit and inspect places where workers are employed and to institute enquires for the purposes of performing his/her duties and E) to establish statistical data,” said Mr. Junique Eddy, Acting Head of the Occupation Safety, Health and Environment Unit at the Labour Department.

The importance of data collection in respect to workplace inspection and workers protection was viewed to be of significance since the use of said data could be used to not only inform public policy in relation to the development of more protections for workers but can also allow the Department of Labour to address any worker grievance that may arise.   

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to engage the services of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which highlights a firm commitment to enhancing the labour climate in the twin-island Federation. The Department of Labour continues to facilitate a number of training opportunities for labour inspectors in an effort to better improve their knowledge base and modern workplace regulations and protocols.

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