For Immediate Release
22nd October 2012
Labour and Immigration departments investigating abuse complaints
Hon. Fred Mitchell MP
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
On behalf of the Department of Immigration, I wish to update the general public on the government’s position regarding a written complaint by employees of Quality Services charging abuse of workers at that Freeport establishment.
Upon receipt of the formal complaint about the alleged inappropriate actions of the employer, the Minister for Grand Bahama and I met with representatives of the union last Friday to discuss the matter. Subsequently the matter is being investigated by the Department of Immigration in conjunction with the Department of Labour and the Minister for Grand Bahama. The findings of the department’s investigation will be made known to the parties involved.
I however wish to remind employers that the Code of Industrial practice in the Industrial Relations Act remains the guide for best practices when dealing with their employees.
Further, employees should not suffer abuse on the job because of their national origin.
The government remains committed to the spirit and intent of this code of practice and to the protection of the rights of both employers and employees in the workplace.