(CMR) The Ministry of Border Control and Labour, on behalf of the Department of Labour & Pensions (DLP) has announced the Cabinet-approved appointments to the Labour Tribunal (LT) and Labour Appeals Tribunal (LAT).
The Labour Tribunal is governed by the Labour Act (2021 Revision), and the Labour Tribunals Regulations, (2012 Revision) (The Regulations) and is established for the purpose of hearing labor complaints from employers and employees.
The Labour Tribunal has the vital responsibility of dealing with matters of unfair dismissal, severance pay, and retirement/resignation allowance per the Labour legislation. Complaint matters are referred to the Tribunal by the Director following the filing of an official complaint with the DLP.
The Tribunal is quasi-judicial and provides an avenue for employers and employees to have their complaints heard and adjudicated in a neutral setting through a hearing process which ultimately results in a timely reasoned, impartial and unbiased decision by the adjudicating Chairman and members at the conclusion of the hearing.
The appointments will further strengthen the overall governance of managing labor disputes and ensure more effective administration, allowing for fairness and transparency in the justice system.
Upon the appointment of the new members of the respective Boards, the Department of Labour & Pensions Director Bennard Ebanks said, “We are pleased to welcome the additional members of the Labour Tribunal and the Labour Appeals Tribunal, respectively.”
“We recognize the level of commitment that this task requires and we extend our heartfelt appreciation to each person who has taken up this very important responsibility. We envisage that these additional appointments will undoubtedly assist with strengthening the efficiency and administration of the boards in delivering reasoned and timely decisions pursuant to the Labour Legislation. Lastly, the DLP remains committed to providing a high level of administrative support to the respective boards and we look forward to our engagement during their term of appointment,” the director continued.
The members of the Tribunal are appointed by the Cabinet and may hold office for a period not exceeding two years and shall be eligible for reappointment but may be re-appointed from time to time for such further one-year periods as the Cabinet may consider appropriate.
The members are professionals with long-standing careers and experience in the industries of Human Resources, Legal, Management, Employment and Immigration.
The appointments for the Labour Tribunal are:
· Ms. Samantha Bennett – Chairperson
· Mr. Robert Jones – Chairperson
· Mr. Gregery Barnes – Chairperson
· Ms. Jennodell Myles – Chairperson
· Ms. Davina Ebanks – Member
· Ms. Vaccianna Franklyn – Member
· Ms. Shelly Ann Davis – Member
These appointments take effect immediately and persons will serve until 1 January 2024.
The appointments for the Labour Appeals Tribunal are:
· Ms. Seeima Kapoor – Deputy Chairperson
· Ms. Betty Baraud – Member
· Mr. Richard Lewis – Member
· Ms. Janet James – Member
The Labour Appeals Tribunal allows for the purpose of hearing appeals against decisions of a Labour Tribunal and members are appointed by the Governor and hold office for one year, but may be re-appointed from time to time for such further one-year periods as the Governor may consider appropriate. These appointments take effect immediately, and persons will serve until 1 December 2023.
All members of the boards have a substantial responsibility and are held to a firm confidentiality code, code of conduct, principles of Natural Justice, and Procedural Fairness principles.
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