Annual Report 2012 - Barbados Employers` Confederation

Transcription

Annual Report 2012
Acknowledging our 53rd Annual General Meeting
0
Our Mission:
The Barbados Employers’ Confederation promotes and
maintains harmony in the employment relationship by being the
employers’ primary advocate and advisor assisting in the
amicable settlement of disputes, as well as facilitating social
dialogue. Our wealth of expertise and research capacity, allows
us to provide targeted, proactive solutions.
Our Vision:
The Barbados Employers’ Confederation will emerge as the
membership organization of choice for promoting the viability
and success of local and regional businesses through the
provision of high quality and professional human resource and
industrial relations solutions.
i
Barbados Employers’ Confederation
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
THE BARBADOS EMPLOYERS’ CONFEDERATION (BEC)
IS AFFILIATED TO THE
Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA)
Caribbean Employers’ Confederation (CEC)
International Organization of Employers (IOE)
International Labour Organization (ILO)
BEC’S STAFF ARE MEMBERS OF THE FOLLOWING
PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS:
Human Resource Management Association of Barbados, Inc.
Society for Human Resources Management
Institute of Canadian Bankers
Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in Canada
The Canadian Association of Financial Planning
The Chartered Association of Business Administrators
Barbados Institute of Banking and Finance
ii
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
OFFICERS OF COUNCIL
President
Mr. Ian Gooding-Edghill
Vice Presidents
Mrs. Dawn Jemmott-Lowe
1st Vice President
Mr. Everton Browne
2nd Vice President
Immediate Past President
Dr. Hensley Sobers
Trustees
Mrs. Roglyn Hinds
Sir. Allan Fields
iii
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
OFFICERS & MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
NAMES & GROUP
Mrs. Lisa Ridley-Paul
Manufacturing Group
Mrs. Kyrel Roach
Distribution Group
Mrs. Diana Douglas
Ancillary Services Group
Ms. Sharon Jemmott
Utilities Group
Mr. Horace Cobham
Financial Services Group
Mrs. Samantha Nurse-Butler
Construction Group
Mr. Cary Tulloch
Hospitality Services Group
Mr. Michael Best
Garage Group
Mr. Everton Browne
Mr. Stuart Martin
Mrs. Margaret Simmons
COMPANIES
Banks Holdings Ltd.
Unicomer (Barbados) Ltd.
G4S Security Services (Barbados) Ltd
LIME
The Barbados Bankers Association
C O Williams Construction Ltd.
Goddard Catering Group
Courtesy Garage Ltd
Barbados Shipping & Trading Co. Ltd
Barbados Sugar Industry Ltd.
CIBC FirstCaribbean International
Bank
Mr. Wayne Bowen
Shipping Association of Barbados
Mrs. Jennifer Bradshaw-Wood Goddard Enterprises Ltd.
Barbados Hotel & Tourism
Ms. Gail Springer
Association
Mrs. Marguerite Estwick
Sagicor Financial Corporation
Attorney-At-Law
Cicely Chase, Q.C
Seneca Law Chambers
Auditors
Francina Downey & Company
Bankers
FirstCaribbean International Bank (B’dos)Ltd
iv
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Table of Contents
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ................................................................................................ 1
ADMINISTRATION .......................................................................................................... 3
STAFFING .......................................................................................................................... 4
YEAR IN REVIEW ............................................................................................................. 6
THE ECONOMY ....................................................................................................................................... 6
THE WAY AHEAD ................................................................................................................................... 7
OUTLOOK FOR 2013 ............................................................................................................................. 14
GENERAL ............................................................................................................................................... 14
LEGISLATION ........................................................................................................................................ 15
STRATEGIC PARTNERS ......................................................................................................................... 18
INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS........................................................................................... 20
SMALL BUSINESS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ....................................................21
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & ENTERPRISE SKILLS.................................................................................... 21
MEMBER VISITS..................................................................................................................................... 22
RESPONSE TO ISSUES............................................................................................................................ 22
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ........................................................................................... 24
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.................................................................................................................. 24
WAGE SETTLEMENTS 2012 ............................................................................................................... 26
WORK STOPPAGES............................................................................................................................... 27
TRAINING ....................................................................................................................... 29
SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS...................................................................................................................... 29
SAFETY & HEALTH ....................................................................................................... 32
OCCUPATION SAFETY AND HEALTH ................................................................................................. 32
HIV/AIDS AND THE WORLD OF WORK.......................................................................................... 34
MAJOR CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS .................................................................. 35
BEC REPRESENTATION ...............................................................................................41
BEC MEMBERSHIP TRADE GROUPS ........................................................................ 44
THE BARBADOS HOTEL & TOURISM ASSOCIATION ........................................... 25
0
NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS
FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
In accordance with Rule 7(c) of the Constitution of the Barbados Employers’
Confederation, I hereby give notice that the Fifty-Third Annual General Meeting
of this organization will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 15 th, 2013 at the
Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, Barbados.
AGENDA
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Prayers
Welcome
Confirmation of Minutes
Matters Arising
President’s Report
Council’s Report for year ended December 31, 2012
Adoption of Audited Statements of Accounts, 2012
Election of the following Officers:
a) President
b) Two (2) Vice Presidents
c) Two (2) Trustees
9. Election of Trade Group Representatives to serve on Council
10. Appointment of Auditors
11. Any other Business
12. Termination of Meeting.
Yvonne Cheltenham
Secretary/Treasurer
ii
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I am pleased to report to our 53rd Annual General Meeting that the Barbados
Employers' Confederation (BEC) continues to focus on its strategic mandate and
mission to serve our members.
Although the last year was particularly challenging for employers, the
Confederation remained resolute in building stronger relations with its members to
achieve common business objectives.
The Confederation's staff spent considerable time building partnerships with new
and emerging business entities. The secretariat must be congratulated for the
excellent work it has done in facilitating foreign investors with their human
resource transition.
To the credit of the secretariat, the BEC has become a visible partner in facilitating
foreign direct investment in Barbados. We have witnessed an increase in the
number of enquiries from potential investors calling on the offices of the BEC for
advice on local human resource and industrial relations business practices.
The BEC continued its advocacy in respect of Government's legislative agenda to
ensure the employers' points of view are expressed with confidence and fairness is
achieved.
The Confederation remains very concerned about the viability of businesses and
hopes that appropriate policy measures will be implemented to reverse current
trading conditions.
1
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
It is clear that the financial and economic effects are beginning to pose very serious
threats to enterprises and employment levels. The success of business and job
creation go hand in hand.
Notwithstanding these challenges, the Confederation's membership has not
declined, and we are pleased to report that revenues have risen year on year.
I would like to thank members of Council for their valuable contributions over the
past year. I would also like to thank the staff of the BEC for their diligence in
managing the work of the secretariat.
2
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
ADMINISTRATION
Executive Director
Mr. Tony Walcott
Industrial Relations Officers
Mrs. Siobhan Robinson-Morris
Ms. Sheena Mayers
Mr. Sean Daniel
Secretary/Treasurer
Ms. Yvonne Cheltenham
Office Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Shirley Ellis
Ms. Tammy Walcott
3
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
STAFFING
Staff Development
The year 2012 turned out to be a year of progress for the Confederation as we
brought staffing levels back to the approved complement.
With the resignation from service of Mr. Takaidza Chafota effective April 30,
2012, we were able to fill the vacancy promptly and offered Mr. Sean Daniel the
position of Industrial Relations Officer effective May 01, 2012.
Staff attended the under noted training, development and other local interventions
during the year under review:
 International Labour Organization- ILO World Day for Safety and Health
at Work
 International Labour Organization – Dissemination Workshop on Enabling
Environment for Sustainable Enterprises
 Distinguished Voices in the Community Lecture
 Regional Forum on the Regional TVET Strategy
 CARICOM/CIDA Trade and Competitiveness Project
 Barbados Association of Office Professionals – Administrative
Professionals Day Workshop
 Government of Barbados- FOROMIC Conference
 The Central Bank of Barbados -“The Changing Pension Landscape”
 The Central Bank of Barbados- “How to Keep the Economy Stable”
 The Central Bank of Barbados- “Emotional Talent”
 Barbados Association of Office Professionals - Annual Conference
 Leaders Roundtable – Game Changers in Action
 Consultation on Gender Policy
Through these programmes, the Secretariat and by extension the BEC benefitted
greatly from the knowledge gained from attending, as well as the networking
opportunities afforded to them.
4
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
Other Staff Development
Ms. Tammy Walcott, Administrative Assistant continues her programme with the
University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus leading to the B.Sc. in
Management Studies.
Mr. Sean Daniel continues his studies in the area of Occupational Health and
Safety.
5
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
YEAR IN REVIEW
The Economy
As was to be expected in a country that is highly dependent on tourism and
International Financial Services, the performance of the Barbadian economy in
2012 experienced a marginal improvement in real output over 2011, by most
indicators. The impact of the economic and financial crisis in industrialized
countries showed up in an anemic growth of real output, a flattening of foreign
exchange inflows and an increase in unemployment.
Output and foreign exchange from tourism contracted with a 6.2% decline in longstay arrivals and an increase of only 4.3% in the average length of stay.
Foreign investment in real estate projects was down about 16%.
The country’s extended fiscal position remains an area of major concern. The fiscal
deficit for the April-December 2012 period is estimated at 6.4% of GDP,
compared with 5.2% in the same period of 2011. Revenue from personal taxes was
down 10% and VAT receipts fell by 2.0%, despite there being a hike in the VAT
rate from 15.0% to 17.5%. Subsidies to government entities rose by 2%, and
interest payments were higher by 4%. Capital expenditure fell by 4%.
There was no alleviation of the rate of unemployment, which increased slightly to
an average rate of 11.7% over the period January to December 2012.
Real economic growth for Barbados in 2013 is forecast at 0.7%. Capital inflows of
$600 million are anticipated for activity in the tourism and construction sectors.
No significant gain in employment is expected.
Of continuing significant concern to many households is the sustained high level
of disposable income being used to cover personal electric utility costs and rising
food prices.
6
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
At the end of a meeting of the Full Social Partnership on February 03, 2012, the
Prime Minister established a Barbados Action Team and its three (3) working
groups/task forces which will focus respectively on:
1. Efficiency (Business Facilitation; Raising Service Quality Levels)
2. Growth
3. Social Issues (Protecting the Vulnerable)
The Action Team has a membership of fifteen (15) persons with five persons
drawn from each of the Social Partners.
Meetings of the Barbados Action Team under the chairmanship of the Prime
Minister are held on regular basis.
The Way Ahead
Debate on Government’s Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the
2013/2014 Fiiscal Year were held in Parliament during the week commencing
Monday, March 20, 2013. As expected, these were very robustly debated, as it was
the first Parliamentary debate since the General Elections held on February 21,
2013, which saw the ruling Democratic Labour Party returned to office with a
reduced majority.
Of the thirty (30) seats in the House of Assembly, the ruling Democratic Labour
Party holds sixteen (16) seats, while the Opposition Barbados Labour Party holds
the other fourteen (14) seats.
During the debate on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, the Government
announced a very ambitious stimulus package of some $600 million, aimed at kickstarting the economy, with a significant portion of the activity centered on
Construction. Below is a partial breakdown of the projected capital works and
associated activities:




Construction of two high-rise housing complexes
Construction of a new cruise terminal
Construction of a new Cargo Shed at the airport
Construction of a leachate plant at the landfill
-
$30 million
$70 million
$20 million
$21 million
7
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
 Road building and rehabilitation works
-
$80 million
While any stimulus proposal is welcomed, there is some doubt about the
Government’s ability to deliver on all of these projects as the fiscal accounts are
reflecting a deficit of some $1.2 billion between projected revenues and planned
spending for the 2013/2014 year, a situation which could see further expansion in
an already unsustainable level of Public debt and further increases in taxation; these
challenges were not meaningfully addressed by the Minister of Finance during the
debates.
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) paper released on April 01, 2013, titled
Caribbean Small States: Challenges of High Debt and Low Growth , among
other things, highlighted that the attempts at tackling the exploding debt situation
had generally failed and it was non-commodity exporting countries like Barbados,
The Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean sub region that faced debt levels which
now jeopardized their prospects for growth.
The IMF further warned Caribbean countries that reducing high public debt was
critical not only to prevent the risk of a “fiscal crisis” but also to cut the costs that
debt imposed on the economy.
Full year outturn for 2012 reflected a flat economic performance and indications to
date show that the Tourism sector, a key driver in the economy, has
underperformed, with arrivals in Q1, 2013 down in excess of 8.0% from the
corresponding period in 2012.
The Eurozone
The continuing challenges being experienced in the United Kingdom and
Eurozone countries continue to have significant negative impacts on tourism and
investment flows to Barbados and the wider Caribbean region.
The recent near-collapse of the banking and financial system and the significant
austerity programme agreed by the Government of Cyprus, further exacerbates the
challenges in the Eurozone.
8
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
In February 2013, unemployment in the Eurozone reached a new record high of
12% (19.57 million persons unemployed), a development which will have a major
negative impact on our outlook for Foreign Direct Investments from this area.
The USA
As the economy in the United States begins to show signs of a slow recovery, this
has medium to longer term implications for positive change in the outlook of
Barbados’ economic recovery programmes. However, this may not be enough to
compensate for the continuing weakening of the prospects out of the United
Kingdom and the Eurozone countries.
The Retail Sector
This sector continues to have challenges resulting from shrinking disposable
incomes of the consumers and rising operating costs for the businesses. Some in
this sector continue to explore their options on Lay-Offs and Redundancies,
arising from the need to review their business models.
Sales of consumer durables (household furniture, household appliances and new
motor vehicles) continue to perform very sluggishly; reports suggest that total
motor vehicle sales in the country have slipped from a high of 400+ per month in
2008/2009 to under 150 per month in the last quarter of 2011; this performance
continued into 2012.
Recent comments suggest that 2013 shows no or very little signs of rebounding.
The Banking and Financial Services Sector
During 2012, commercial banks maintained capital positions well above the
statutory requirements and remained highly profitable, with adequate levels of
liquidity. However, there was further deterioration in credit quality and loans not
being fully serviced on time reached 12.7% of total loans, compared with 11.1% at
December 2011. Actual losses on loans were no more than 0.2% of total loans and
advances.
9
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
The continuing high level of impaired loans across the financial services sector is
coming under very much closer scrutiny by the Central Bank of Barbados
The Construction Sector
With the exception of the start of the construction of the new Barbados Water
Authority headquarters, no major Private Sector construction projects are in the
pipeline.
Comments by members of the Barbados Institute of Architects (BIA) have shown
concern about the minimum level of construction activity going on, which has
resulted in architects finding it difficult to get jobs.
The woes in the construction sector are further being exacerbated by the
challenges many developers are having with the Town and Country Planning
Department in terms of the time they are taking to approve applications, resulting
in the slowdown of project implementation.
Latest reports on the Four Seasons Resort project have given no indication of the
likely restart of this project, as the developers are still negotiating to source funding
for the project; press reports suggested that anticipated funding of $60 million
from the Barbados National Insurance Scheme, together with additional funding
from the IADB was approved.
Comments by the Minister of Finance during the Debate on the Estimates of
Revenue and Expenditure for 2013/2014 expressed guarded optimism that full
private sector funding has been identified and approved for the continued
development/re-start of the Four Seasons Resort project, which could see the
Government of Barbados being released from having to provide financial support
to the project.
The Manufacturing Sector
This continues to be under considerable stress as input costs, especially fuel,
transportation and electricity costs, continued to rise steadily with no real
10
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
abatement in sight; export markets continue to present challenges to access and be
maintained.
With respect to agro-processing, exports of quality rum that is aged, blended and
bottled in Barbados, account for 43% of rum exports. This premium segment of
the market will be less severely affected by the US subsidization of commodity rum
produced in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The Tourism Sector
Tourism value-added contracted by an estimated 3.5% in 2012. There were
reductions of 8.8% and 9.0% in US and UK visitors, respectively.
The closure of the Almond Resorts represented an estimated loss, on average, of
about one-fifth of visitors preferring an all-inclusive vacation. This coupled with
the UK’s Air Passenger Duty, which increased by over 8% and the decrease in the
number of flights out of the US and UK by two major carriers, were the main
contribution factors to this outturn.
In addition, the cessation of flights by RedJet earlier in the year contributed to the
reduction in regional visitors. Persons travelling from Trinidad and Tobago rose by
almost 50% between January and April, but subsequently slowed to 1.5% for the
year as a whole, while visitors from other regional economies contracted by 8.1%.
This sector continues to report weaker than anticipated revenue yields, with
indications that the slow economic recovery in our key source markets and a
softening of forward bookings does not give comfort for any immediate
turnaround in profitability.
This sector will be further challenged in 2013 and beyond as the controversial Air
Passenger Duty (APD) has seen another hike effective April 01, 2013, making it
even more expensive for British holiday makers to travel to the Caribbean.
The International Business Sector
In recent times, this sector has found it necessary to publicly air concern about the
manner in which the local regulators have been addressing issues raised by the
11
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
OECD and other international agencies; this sector produces more than half of all
Government corporate tax revenues. While Government assures that all the
necessary steps are being taken to reverse the identified trends, recovery in this
sector is also proving to be slower than anticipated.
Barbados’ strategy in this sector is mounted jointly with the Central Bank of
Barbados and the Barbados International Business Association (BIBA), and
comprises intensified marketing in Canada, together with penetration of new
markets in Latin America and elsewhere. Initiatives are designed to take advantage
of Barbados’ network of double taxation agreements, to leverage traditional and
non-traditional markets in areas such as mining, oil and gas, renewable energy,
wealth management, captive insurance and medical services.
The Sugar Agriculture Sector
Negotiations for a new Wages and Conditions contract covering the period
January 2011 to December 2012, commenced against the background of sustained
weak financial performance and reliance on continuing Government Price Support
payments; to date, no agreement has been reached as negotiations were unofficially
placed on the back-burner, pending on-going debates surrounding the
restructuring of the sector.
The 2012 sugar harvest started on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, and lasted for
fourteen (14) weeks. The outturn production was:
 Total tonnage of canes reaped  Total tonnage of sugar produced  Total length of harvest
-
258,600.61
24,526.15
16 weeks
The 2013 sugar harvest started on March 06, 2013 and the following projections
have been given:
 Total tonnage of canes targeted  Total tonnage of sugar targeted  Total projected length of harvest -
202,941
18,449
12 weeks
12
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
The sugar industry continues to show declining performance and yields.
Chinese and Japanese investors have expressed interests in working with the
Government on programmes to re-vitalize the sugar industry, and we await the
outcome of those discussions.
Public Sector Negotiations
Review of Compensation, Benefits and Terms & Conditions for the two year
period April 01, 2010 to March 31, 2012 were deferred, in recognition of the state
of public finances.
Negotiations on an extended agreement to cover the period April 01, 2012 to
March 31, 2014 are still to get going in earnest.
13
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
Outlook for 2013
The projections for 2013 continue to be clouded by uncertainty about the pace and
robustness of the recovery in the North American, United Kingdom and
Eurozone markets on which Barbados’ tourism and international financial and
business sectors depend. The Barbadian economy is expected to expand by
approximately 0.7 % during 2013, predicated on growth in the tourism sector and
as other key sectors rebound.
It is the considered opinion of the Confederation that the authorities need to take
some urgent action, particularly in the undernoted areas:
 The issue of Youth Employment
 Development of focused programmes for the sustainable development of the
Micro, Small and Medium sized business sectors.
 Challenges with the implementation of the EPA
 The moribund nature of CARICOM
 The intensification of the process of meaningful Tripartite Social Dialogue and
more collaborative problem solving of the economic and fiscal challenges
facing the economy.
General
During 2010, the Confederation, with the assistance of the ILO Sub-regional
Office for the Caribbean, undertook an Organizational Review in April 2010. The
objective of this review was to assess if the operations of the Confederation
are set up and conducted in the most effective way to the best advantage of
the organization and its stakeholders leading to long-term sustainability.
Out of this exercise we identified the need to develop a current Strategic Plan to
focus our attention on building a sustainable long term enterprise. Work on this
14
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
project progressed during 2011 and 2012 and an aggressive work plan for the
Secretariat was approved by Council for the period commencing January 2012 and
beyond.
We continue to build strategic relations and implement a vigorous campaign of reengaging with our members; courtesy calls continued to be made by the Executive
Director and the Industrial Relations Officers to our members during the review
period.
Legislation
Increasingly, advocacy on legislative issues is becoming the single largest area of
work for the BEC. We continued to press for further discussion on the
Employment Rights Bill, the Shops Order 2007, the Shops Act and the Minimum
Wage for Shop Assistants during 2012.
Employment Rights Act, 2012 A comprehensive review of the Draft
Employment Rights Bill was completed by the Confederation in July 2011 which
culminated with meetings with the staff of the Ministry of Labour, including staff
of the Labour Department, in July and August 2011.
It had been our strong recommendation that this draft instrument be brought back
to the Social Partners, before being laid in Parliament; this request was recognised
and agreed to by the late Prime Minister, the Hon. David Thompson, Q.C., when
he addressed our 2010 Luncheon on April 21, 2010. Regrettably, the draft
Employment Rights Bill 2012 was placed on the Order Paper of Parliament in
January 2012, without the agreed further review of either ourselves or the Labour
movement. The Bill had its first reading in Parliament on April 24, 2012 and
subsequently passed in May, 2012, with a Proclamation date to be announced.
Green Paper on Immigration Policy Reform
In October 2009, the
Government of Barbados gave notice of its intention to table a Green Paper on
the Comprehensive Review of the Immigration Policy, and invited comment. The
scope and time offered for comment were both extended. The Confederation
sought feedback from its members on areas which may be of specific interest or
concern to them. We have lobbied to have this Green Paper discussed at the level
15
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
of the Social Partners, before any definitive proposals are taken to Parliament; no
such consultations have been held to date.
Minimum Wages Legislation Discussion on the Minimum Wages for
Shop Assistants was held during 2011 and after some delays, the new Minimum
Wages Order was published and became effective April 05, 2012. It had also been
advised that the current level would have been subject to further review during
2012, but definitive dates for commencement of the review have yet to be
indicated.
While recommendations have been made by the Wages Council for the
establishment of a Minimum Wage Board, no further discussions have taken place
on its establishment.
Occupational Pension Benefits Act Effective
February
2011,
the
Occupational Pension Benefits Act was proclaimed. The work required to have
existing Pension Plans become compliant with the provisions of the Act continued
throughout 2012 and the various Consulting Actuaries have been working closely
with Plan Administrators and the staff of the Financial Services Commission to
have the significant volume of work required, expeditiously completed.
Holidays with Pay Bill, 2012
After a break in discussions of
nearly six (6) years, the Minister of Labour and Social Security gave notice of the
introduction of a new Holidays with Pay Bill, 2012 which was placed on the Order
Paper of Parliament, without any prior consultation with the Social Partners; the
previous documented discussions were held in 2006 when discussions centered
around a few Amendments to the original Act.
After vigorous lobbying by the secretariat of the BEC on behalf of the Barbados
Private Sector Agency, the Ministry of Labour deferred Parliamentary discussion
on the Bill, pending the conduct of a comparative analysis of similar pieces of
legislation across the English speaking Caribbean.
A further meeting on this item scheduled for December 09, 2012 was aborted and
subsequently not brought back for discussion after the dissolution of Parliament as
the way was made for the General Elections. Discussions are set to continue
during May 2013.
16
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
17
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
Strategic Partners
International Organization of Employers (IOE) - During 2012 we continued
to benefit from our membership of the IOE. This membership allowed us to
benefit from the exchange of useful information provided on current worldwide
economic trends.
International Labour Office (ILO) - We continued to work closely with the
ILO Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean and the Ministry of Labour as the
country developed the Decent Work Country Programme.
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) - The President of the
ACP-EU Follow-Up Committee of the European Economic and Social
Committee (EESC), Ms. Brenda King, announced the appointment of Mr. Tony
Walcott, Executive Director of the Barbados Employers’ Confederation to the
subject committee from October 2010 until March 2013.
The ACP-EU Follow-Up Committee is composed of twelve (12) EESC members
and twelve (12) representatives of ACP members, who represent a variety of civil
society organizations. This Follow-Up Committee acts as an official interlocutor
vis-à-vis the political authorities of the Contonou Partnership.
The Follow-Up Committee meets twice a year on average.
Mr. Walcott’s appointment to this committee was proposed by the International
Organization of Employers (IOE) which is based in Geneva; he represents Group
1 – Employers of the ACP grouping.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a European Union
consultative body, set up in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome. It is made up of
representatives of the various economic and social players in civil society, known
collectively as organised civil society. The Committee’s main task is to advise the
EU’s three major institutions: Commission, Council and Parliament. This it does
primarily through delivering formal opinions on the European Commission’s
legislative proposals and on EU policy in general as it affects the economy and
society.
18
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
The EESC has three complementary tasks: first, to increase the involvement of
civil society organisations in the European venture; second, to help bridge the gap,
through its activities and its members, between the European Union and citizens;
and, third, to boost the role of civil society organisations in non-European
countries, and country groupings.
The EESC’s members belong to one of three groups: employers, employees and
various interests. In the Committee there are members from many different
backgrounds including entrepreneurs, workers, bankers, farmers, people from craft
industries, SMEs, the professions, consumer associations, representatives of
disabled and socially excluded persons, social economy actors and environmental
campaigners. Members themselves choose which of the EESC groups they wish to
join.
Members are not paid for their work with the EESC (though their travel and
accommodation costs are covered when they attend), and they normally carry on
with their regular activities in their home country.
Regional Partners - On the regional level we continued our participation in the
Caribbean Employers’ Confederation (CEC). The President and Executive
Director participated in the work of the Directors of the CEC in the development
and finalization of the Strategic Plan for the CEC for the period 2011-2016.
The Executive Director has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the CEC
at the 53rd Annual General Meeting held in Suriname on April 08, 2013.
National Partners - Nationally we continued our participation in the Social
Partnership, and enhanced our already close working relationship with the
National HIV/AIDS Commission, the National Vocational Training Board,
the TVET Council, the Barbados Accreditation Council, the National
Insurance Scheme the Productivity Council, the Barbados Community
College and similar organizations.
Regrettably, when the new Board of the National HIV/AIDS Commission was
created, the accredited representative of the Employers was not offered a seat to
represent our interests.
19
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
We also continued to play a lead role in the Barbados Private Sector Association
(BPSA).
Information and Public Relations
We were unable to sustain the publication of weekly articles in the Barbados
Business Authority during 2012; however, discussions were finalised during the
year to have these articles re-introduced and these are now appearing on a regular
weekly basis.
We encourage and solicit contributions from our members for publication.
We continued to publish our newsletters BEC@Work and the OSH Digest.
Our staff members were also invited by other national organizations and other
groups to address their meetings.
20
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
SMALL BUSINESS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The mandate of the BEC includes the development of employment opportunities
as a vehicle towards national development. Consequently, the BEC consistently
works with small entrepreneurs to provide invaluable assistance as they seek to
formalize and strengthen their organisations. Many members of the BEC are small
organisations, therefore being able to understand some of the challenges faced by
these entrepreneurs will afford the opportunity to offer more tailored solutions
that meet their needs.
Throughout the year in review, a consistent increase in small and micro business
utilizing the services of the BEC was noted. The areas of greatest need were
human resource services including drafting of correspondence, preparing policy
documents and writing employment contracts and job descriptions. The provision
of these services has proven to be very useful especially given that many small
businesses do not possess the in-house capacity to perform those functions that
are necessary in an increasingly formal environment.
Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Skills
In 2012 the BEC participated in an ILO study of the Enabling Environment for
Small Enterprises (EESE) in Barbados. The results of the study were shared with
the business community and government officials via a breakfast dissemination
conference in May 2012. An area that was highlighted for further development by
the study was that of entrepreneurial culture. In October 2012, two (2) BEC
representatives participated in a tripartite workshop, chaired by ILO Enterprise
Specialist Mr. Kelvin Sargeant, which considered the results of the EESE study
and identified the improvement of management skills of start-up companies as an
action item that should be pursued.
To this end the BEC, in collaboration with ILO, held an Enterprise Skills
Workshop from February 26-28, 2013. This workshop was aimed at budding
entrepreneurs and sought to empower them with skills to succeed in business.
Additionally three (3) BEC officers participated in the venture which positioned
the BEC to offer similar interventions in the future.
21
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
Member Visits
After a very successful training intervention on sales and selling techniques, from
January 2013 the officers of the BEC have embarked upon a programme of
member visitations. This was done with the intention of ensuring continued
relevance to the membership and facilitating queries. By visiting businesses, a
greater appreciation of challenges and successes were attained and it afforded an
avenue to raise any issues or concerns.
Response to Issues
Open Forums
Open Forums continue to be useful in addressing areas of member concerns. In
December 2012 an open forum was held, titled “Unhealthy Employee = Sick
Company”, which featured The Hon. Donville Inniss, M.P., Minister of Health as
the guest speaker. Additionally, “Making Cents of Pensions”, which featured
presentations by the National Insurance Department, Financial Services
Commission and Eckler Partners was held in January 2013.
During the remainder of 2013, there are plans to host open forums on the topics
of “Understanding National Insurance Benefits and Substance Abuse in the
Workplace”.
Policy Notes & Position Papers
There are various HR and IR issues that our members have to address on which
there is no guiding legislation. To this end, the BEC had embarked upon preparing
and issuing guidance documents which provide useful information that is
grounded in research of best practice, custom and legislative requirements. To date
circulars have been sent on procedures in the event of a national strike and
Election Day requirements. Work is currently on-going in the areas of sick leave
and alcohol and substance abuse and we hope to release guidance documents on
these critical areas in the near future.
22
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
Communication
During the past year, the BEC improved its channels of communication with its
membership and the wider public. A new and completely redesigned website was
launched in August 2012 which has afforded greater web presence and ease of
access of information.
The website has been complemented by the new mailing system which is now in
use and our reach has increased as the mailing list continues to grow.
Members and friends of the BEC are kept informed of activities through the
monthly newsletter, BEC@Work, and topical and useful information is
disseminated through the weekly column in the Barbados Business Authority.
23
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
Collective Bargaining
2012 continued to be another difficult year for businesses in Barbados as well as
the wider world. Global economies continued to worsen, putting added pressure
on the local economy. Additionally, several local businesses continued their
struggle to simply break even, and felt the pressures of reduced spending from
consumers, both individuals and businesses.
During the year, fifteen (15) collective agreements were concluded and wage
settlements for some organizations contained no increases for some part of the
agreement period, with the maximum increase being 5%. Further details of the
wage settlements during the period can be seen further in the report.
Due to unsustainability, six (6) BEC member organizations closed their doors
within the period under review, causing several persons to lose their jobs. While
full details can be found below, the largest number of persons sent to the breadline
by any one company was 500 at Almond Beach Village.
In 2012, the Barbados Employers’ Confederation welcomed the following new
members:
Summit International
Sandy Crest Medical
Rayside Construction
Marsh Management Services (B’dos) Ltd
G-Tech Global Services
Supreme Distributors Inc
Ansa Mcal Group of Companies
Louis Seale &Co. Ltd.
Ocean Breeze Resort Ltd.
W.O.M. Inc/ Just Grillin’
Shelbury Construction
City& Guilds Caribbean
Warrens Preschool Inc.
Lenstec (Barbados) Inc.
New Proposals were received for the following member companies to commence
negotiations with the Barbados Workers’ Union, these were:
Barbados Public Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union Ltd.
Berger Paints
Rentokil
24
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
The following companies were referred to the Labour Department for
conciliation:
Standard Distributors
Sandy Lane Hotel
Hinds Transport Services Ltd.
Unicomer (Barbados) Ltd
Barbados Conference Services Ltd.
At December 31, 2011, discussions were ongoing to conclude the following
collective agreements:
Berger Paints
Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union
Seawell Air Services Ltd.
Roberts Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
25
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
Wage Settlements 2012
#
Company
Effective Date
Duration
April 1, 2011
Two (2) years
1.
Barbados Bottling
Company
Bayview Hospital
April 1, 2012
Two (2) years
Berger Paints
July 01, 2009
Three (3) years 3% + 2 ½% +
2%
Carlisle
Laboratories
Limited
July 01, 2012
Three (3) years 2.5% + 3% +
3%
Barbados Hotel &
Tourism
Association
2.
3.
3% + 4%
compounded
Retroactive Pay
December 15, 2009 Three (3) years for Dec. 2010 –
March, 2012 to
commence in
April, 2012.
0% + 3% +0%
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Settlement
4% + 2%
Caribbean
Confectionary
City of Bridgetown
Co-op Credit
Union
August 01, 2012
Two (2) years
2.25% Lump
sum + 2.5%
July 01, 2011
Two (2) years
3% + 3%
Codrington Trust
August 1, 2011
Two (2) years
3% + 2%
compounded
Coles Printery
April 01, 2012
Two (2) years
3% + 3%
Collins Limited
July 01, 2012
Three (3) years 2.5% + 3% +
3%
1% + 2.5% +
Three (3) years 2.5%
10.
11. Crown Packaging
January 01, 2012
DHL (Barbados)
12. Limited
April 1, 2012
Two (2) years
2.5 + 2.5% with
Merits system
26
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
13. Moore Paragon
April 01, 2012
Two (2) years
Purity Bakeries
April 27, 2011
Three (3) years 2.5% + 2.5% +
2.5%
April 01, 2012
Two (2) years
14.
Rum Refinery of
15. Mount Gay
5% + 3.5%
3% + 3%
Work Stoppages
There were eleven (11) reported work stoppages which occurred throughout the
public and private sectors in 2012. These can be viewed below.
WORK STOPPAGES 2012
Date
January
February 6
March 19
Company
Alexandra Secondary
School
National Employment
Bureau
Welfare Department,
Land Tax, Data
Processing
Department and
Barbados Statistical
Service
March
Pom Marine
April 18
Alexandra Secondary
School
No. of
Workers
30+
21
100+
Mandays
lost
Industrial action citing
grievances with present
15 days Principal, Mr. Jeff
Broomes.
Issues relating to air
1 day and water quality
within office building.
1 day
Issues relating to air
quality and irritated and
itching skin.
1 day
25+
Reason
3 days
Sympathy Strike re:
Wrongful dismissal of
fellow employee.
Industrial action citing
grievances with present
Principal, Mr. Jeff
Broomes.
Break-down in wage
27
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
May 3
LIME
100+
2 days
May 21
National Assistance
Broad
100+
3 days
20+
Sick out due to late
1 day payment of salaries to
employees.
Protest over unfair and
2 hours biased appointment.
August 27
National Cultural
Foundation
September 10 National Sports
Council
October 15
Wakefield Plantation
October 25
Barbados Tourism
Authority
25+
agreement between the
Management and
BWU.
Protest over unfair and
biased appointment.
Protest against tax
1 day deductions from
Incentive Pay.
Issues relating to
conditions of the
2 hours building occupied by
the staff (SBS)
28
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
TRAINING
Seminars/Workshops
Our training program continued to receive interest both for registration for the
various programs and as provision for in-house training.
In addition, requests for In-House training have increased during the past twelve
(12) months as compared to the previous period.
This increased interest and activity is reflected in our Training Revenues for 2012
as seen below:
Net Training Income
Net Training Income
-
2011
2012
-
$ 12,140
$160,659
Open Enrollment
The Barbados Employers’ Confederation sought to diversify its training offerings
in 2012, while our flagship training intervention titled Stepping into Supervision
and Management is quite popular, discussions with our membership throughout
the course of 2011 highlighted the need for a wider variety of training programmes
to be offered.
Therefore, in addition to Stepping into Supervision and Management which was
offered in both March and September of 2012, the BEC also hosted workshops in
the following areas:








Creative Human Resource Solutions to deal with economic issues
Disaster Management
The Contract of Employment
Managing in a Trade Union Environment
Employee and Employer Rights
Writing Skills for Managing People
Terminations - The Right and Wrong way
Employment Rights Act
29
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
 Occupational Health and Safety
 Conducting Employee Discipline
Further, the Secretariat undertook the task of ensuring that a yearly training
schedule is created, and published by October of the preceding year. 2012 was the
first year in which this initiative was successful, and training offerings for the year
2013 include:
Occupational Health and Safety- A Checklist for SHaW Compliance
The “How to Guide” to productive Meetings
Managing Conflict
Terminations- The Right and Wrong Way
Writing Skills for Managing People
Managing for Success (Formerly Stepping into Supervision and Management)
Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems- A Joint Approach
Conducting Employee Discipline
Understanding Labour Law and Legislation
Elements of Effective Supervision
Business Disaster Planning
Emotional Intelligence
In House Training
Within the period May 2012- May 2013, several companies also requested in house
training session for their employees.
The following companies undertook in house training in the period under review:
 Sagicor General
 Barbados Port Inc
 Art Holdings Ltd.
 ANSA McAL
 Barbados Shipping and Trading
 Inter- American Development Bank
 Guardian General Insurance Ltd.
 Hilton Barbados Resort
30
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
These training sessions covered a range of topics, including the Employment
Rights Act, Safety and Health at Work, Employee Relations, Managing Conflict,
Writing Skills and Employee Discipline.
The beginning of 2013 has seen increased interest in these in house sessions, as
organizations seek to train employees, while still containing their costs. All
programmes which the BEC offers, including open enrollment sessions, can be
conducted in house, at the request of members.
31
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
SAFETY & HEALTH
Occupation Safety and Health
Capacity Building
The BEC has continued to pay significant attention to the area of Occupational
Safety & Health (OSH) throughout the preceding year. Sean Daniel, the BEC’s
newest IRO brought OSH specific training and experience to the Confederation
and has been instrumental in the getting the BEC to become involved in the local
implementation of the GHS (The Globally Harmonized System of
Classification & Labeling of Chemicals). Workshops in November 2012 (12th
& 13th) and March 2013 (5th to 7th) have increased the capacity of the BEC to
adequately advice its members on the requirements related to chemicals in the
workplace.
Apart from the GHS Workshops, the BEC’s Safety Lead also attended in October
2012, a regional Tripartite training event in Port- of- Spain, hosted by the
International Labour Organisation’s Sub-Regional Office which was entitled and
focused on, Optimizing Productivity in Safe & Healthy Workplaces. This Seminar
was useful as it examined in some detail the means by which effective safety and
health policies can and do improve enterprise productivity.
Participation in Pre–Proclamation National Awareness Drive
The proclamation of the long awaited Safety & Health at Work Act (SHaW) on
January 1, 2013, has created a more modern legislative framework for ensuring safe
and healthy workplaces in Barbados. Prior to the proclamation there was a
significant three month long promotion. The BEC was deeply involved and were
ably represented by Mr. Daniel on CBC’s The Peoples Business & Morning
Barbados broadcasts, and again at the culminating event in Heroes Square in
December 2012. Here the BEC’s message to the nation was that employers
embrace the legislation but also expect improved Productivity following the
increased investments in OSH.
32
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
Training
The certainty of proclamation motivated increased demand for training in the area
of Safety & Health. The BEC provided informative and thought provoking
sessions for the benefit of employers on the OSH; these are listed below
Date
Title
Participants
February 26, 2013
Managing Occupational Health
(Tripartite Event)
Open Forum Unhealthy
Employee=Sick Company
A Checklist for SHaW
Compliance
ANSA-McAL Managers Training
Re: SHaW
Presentation to HR Professionals
at Week of Excellence
March 21, 2013
A Checklist for Shaw Compliance
November 21, 2012
December 5, 2012
February 21, 2013
February 25,26,27,28, 2013
Eighty (80) +
Eighty (80)
Sixty-five (65)
Eighty (80) +
Eighty (80) +
Sixty (60)
New Services Added
Since January 2013 the BEC has been able to offer some new services in the area
of Occupational Safety & Health. These services are currently in high demand and
are expected to continue to contribute to maintaining revenue during these
recessionary times.
The new services include; development of new OSH Policy documents, reviewing
existing OSH Policy documents, conducting Risk Assessment Survey and
providing an Assessment Report, general and customised OSH training solutions
for companies.
33
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
HIV/AIDS and the World of Work
Change in Focus
There has been a conscious decision made by the HIV/AIDS Coordinator for the
BEC to review what has been done in the past with a view to having an employers’
focused program. The desire is to have a program that goes beyond increasing
awareness in potential new entrants to the workforce to a program which targets
the BEC members’ workplaces, with impactful programs which have the potential
to change behaviour.
With the proclamation of the SHaW legislation the Joint Health & Safety
Committee will be formed in many businesses. This committee is seen as the ideal
vehicle to ensure that HIV/AIDS and other Life Threatening Illnesses (LTIs) are
addressed in an open and mature manner free from any stigma or discrimination.
The Joint Health & Safety Committee is required by law and is well placed to
propel programs and assist with research in each enterprise.
The review has been slower than anticipated, however, with the assistance of the
new Research Assistant, Ms. Brittany Braithwaite it is expected that there will soon
be adequate research data collected and analysed to finalise plans for HIV/AIDS
programming in the local workplace. One of the goals of the BEC HIV/AIDS
program is to have the capacity to provide up to date statistics on HIV/AIDS
related activity within the membership of the BEC. This requires development of a
data collection instrument which is completed and then the collection and
processing of data, this is expected to be done between June and August 2013.
34
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
MAJOR CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS
ACP-EU Follow-up Committee Meeting, Brussels - February 27-29, 2012
This meeting was held in Brussels and funded by the European Economic and
Social Committee, an organ of the European Union.
The BEC was represented by the Executive Director, Tony Walcott.
Caribbean Employers’ Confederation 52nd Annual General Meeting – May
02, 2012
This meeting was held in Jamaica. A major item on the agenda was the review of
the organization’s Strategic Plan for the five year period 2011 – 2016, the election
of a new President, Mr. Wayne Chen and approving the budget and work plan for
the secretariat.
International Labour Conference (ILC) - May 28 - June 14, 2012
At the 101st Session of the International Labour Conference held from May 28 June 14, 2012, the Government of Barbados continued to serve on the
International Labour Organisation (ILO) Governing Body.
Preliminary meetings of the Employers’ Group preceded the Official Opening of
the ILC 2012 on Tuesday, 29 May 2012; these were held in the Governing Body
Room at the ILO Headquarters at 10:00 and 16:30.
Preliminary meetings were also held of the Workers’ Group and the Government
members during that same day of Tuesday, 29 May 2012.
The Official Barbados Delegation was made up as follows:
Government Delegates, Advisers and substitute delegates
 Mr. Andrew Cox, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social
Security (Delegate)
 Mr. Vincent Burnett, Chief labour Officer, Ministry of Labour and Social
Security (Delegate)
35
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
 Ambassador Dr. Marion Williams, Permanent Representative, Permanent
Mission, Geneva (Adviser and substitute delegate)
 Mrs. Emalene Marcus-Burnett, Counsellor, Permanent Mission, Geneva
(Adviser and substitute delegate)
Employers’ Delegate
 Mr. Colin A. Walcott, Executive Director, Barbados Employers’
Confederation
Workers’ Delegate
 Ms. Toni Moore, Assistant General Secretary, Barbados Workers’ Union
(Delegate)
 Sir Roy Trotman, General Secretary, Barbados Workers’ Union (Adviser and
substitute delegate)
The 101st Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) got underway on
Wednesday, 30 May 2012 with a Full Plenary sitting in the Assembly Hall of the
Palais des Nations (United Nations) at 10:00.
During the Opening Session, the business of the Conference was conducted which
included the election of the President and Officers of the Conference and
constitution of the various Committees of the Conference.
The Opening sitting broke at 11:30 for a Special sitting to receive an address by
Her Excellency Ms. Laura Chincilla Miranda, President of the Republic of Costa
Rica, after which the Plenary session resumed at 12:20 to receive the speech of the
Director General, Dr. Juan Somovia, who demitted office in September 2012.
For the year, the work of the Conference was done by the following committees:





Selection Committee
Committee on the Application of Standards
Committee on the Social Protection Floor
Committee on Youth Employment
Committee for the Recurrent Discussion on Fundamental Principles and
Rights
36
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
The work of the various committees commenced on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at
13:00. Your Executive Director worked on the Committee on the Social
Protection Floor as a Titular (Voting) member and on the Committee on Youth
Employment as a Substitute (Non-Voting) member.
During the course of the Conference, the Employers’ Group met every morning
(09:00 – 10:00) to review the previous day’s work and agree any strategies to be
followed or positions to be taken in subsequent meetings of the various
committees.
Committee meetings generally concluded their day’s work by 19:30, including the
first Saturday of the Conference (June 02, 2012); there was no work done on
Sundays.
While the work of the committees is generally intense, they are able to reach
consensus by the end of the allotted time to complete their assigned work.
However, 2012, the work of the Committee for the Application of Labour
Standards failed to agree on a schedule of cases to be addressed, the first time since
1926! The impasse was driven by the Employers’ group challenge of the ILO and
the Workers’ interpretation of the “Right to Strike” provisions (or rather lack
thereof) in Convention 87 concerning Freedom of Association. A separate note
prepared by Christopher Syder, Employer spokesperson on this Committee was
made available for review.
During the normal course of the Conference, several side events and information
sessions are arranged on topics of general or specific concern to delegates and are
generally well attended.
The opportunity is also given to Ministers of Labour attending and delegates to
speak on the reports of the Chairperson of the Governing Body and of the
Director General; these reports are circulated before the start of the Conference.
Speeches are limited to five (5) minutes and this year, interventions were made by:
 Sir Roy Trotman
 Dr. Marion Williams
 Dr. the Hon. Esther Byer-Suckoo, Minister of Labour and Social Security.
37
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
Interventions were also made by other delegates from the Caribbean region
including:
 Mr. Wayne Chen, President of the Jamaica Employers Federation and
President of the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation.
 Mr. Lloyd Goodleigh, Workers’ delegate, Jamaica
 The Hon. Errol McLeod, Minister of Labour, Trinidad
On June 07, 2012, the Barbados delegation accepted an invitation from Dr. Ana
Teresa Romero to have a luncheon meeting at which opportunities for SouthSouth and Triangular cooperation; further details of the development of the
programme will be provided to us in subsequent correspondence.
Addresses by Special Guests
One of the key features of the International labour Conference is the delivery of
addresses by Special Guests. This year, we had the benefit of having presentations
from the following speakers:





H. E. Mr. Mohamed Moncef Marzouki
President, Republic of Tunisia
H.R.H Felipe de Borbon y Grecia
Prince of Asturias, Spain
H. E. Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata
President, Republic of Zambia
H. E. Mr. Ollanta Humala Tasso
President, Republic of Peru
H. E. Mr. Ricardo Martinelli Beroccal
President of the Republic of
Panama
 H. E. Mr. Giorgio Napolitano
- President of the Italian Republic
 Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi
- President of the National League
for Democracy and Member of Parliament, Republic of the Union of
Myanmar.
The Conference closed on Thursday, June 14 with the adoption of the following
reports:
 Committee on the Social Protection Floor
 Credentials Committee
 Committee for the Recurrent Discussion on Fundamental Principles and Rights
 Selection Committee (Myanmar)
38
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
 Application of Standards
 Committee on Youth Employment.
In addition to the foregoing, there was also a Record vote on the Recommendation
concerning national floors of social protection; a copy of that record is available
for review on the ILO website.
Mr. Ferdinand Welzijn, 2nd Vice President of the Caribbean Employers’
Confederation was re-elected as the representative of Caribbean employers on the
Governing Body of the ILO.
The International Organisation of Employers (IOE) in describing the 2012
Conference said that while the outcomes will help employers, more thought needs
to be given to enhancing the ILO’s visibility and relevance to its members.
ILO Workshop on Social Dialogue, Trinidad & Tobago - June 26-27, 2012
At the invitation of the Minister of Labour, Trinidad and Tobago, the Hon. Errol
McLeod, a Tri-Partite delegation was invited to visit and make presentations on the
functioning of our Social Partnership here in Barbados; Trinidad and Tobago is
now making a concerted effort to establish a structured framework for social
dialogue.
The Barbados delegation was made up of:
 Sir Roy Trotman, General Secretary, Barbados Workers Union
 Senator Harcourt Husbands, Parliamentary Secretary, Prime Minister’s
Office
 Mr. Tony Walcott, Executive Director, BEC
ACP-EU Follow-up Committee - 12th Regional Seminar, Dominican
Republic - July 03-06, 2012
This seminar was held to review progress on preparations for the region to meet
the various deadlines for full accessing of the provisions of the EU-CARIFORUM
EPA.
39
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, Suriname - November 26-29, 2012
This JPA is one of the regularly scheduled meetings of the grouping and is rotated
amongst the member states. Against strong resistance by the EU Parliamentarians,
CARICOM insisted that the meeting be held in Suriname.
The Government of Barbados was represented by the Hon. Mara Thompson, M.P.
Mr. Tony Walcott, as a member of the ACP-EU Follow-up Committee was in
attendance.
ACP-EU Follow-up Committee Meeting, Brussels - December 05-07, 2012
This meeting was held in Brussels and funded by the European Economic and
Social Committee, an organ of the European Union.
The BEC was represented by the Executive Director, Tony Walcott.
40
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
BEC REPRESENTATION
ON BOARDS & COMMITTEES
Officers and personnel of the Confederation served as employers’
representatives on the following Boards, Committees and Councils.
ECONOMICPOLICY
Barbados Private Sector Association
Mr. Tony Walcott
CARICOM-CIDA Trade &
Competitiveness Project
Mr. Tony Walcott
Committee of the Social Partners
Mr. Tony Walcott
Sub-Committee of the Social Partners
Mr. Tony Walcott
Other Council members as are
available
International Labour Organisation
Mr. Tony Walcott
National Productivity Council
Mrs. Diana Douglas
EDUCATION, TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT
Advisory Council of the Barbados
Institute of Management & Productivity
Mr. Tony Walcott
Barbados Accreditation Council
Mr. Michael Best
Barbados Vocational Training Board
HRD Advisory Committee
Dr. Hensley Sobers
ILO Tripartite Committee (C144)
Mrs. Gale Springer
Mr. Tony Walcott
Mr. Sean Daniel
41
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
National Committee of the
Caribbean Examinations Council
Mr. Tony Walcott
National Development
Scholarship Committee
Mr. Takaidza Chafota
Ms. Sheena Mayers
TVET Council
Mrs. Dawn Jemmott-Lowe
TVET Quality Assurance Committee
TVET Standards Committee
SAFETY & HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
HIV/AIDS Coordinators
Mr. Sean Daniel
Ministry of Labour & Social Security
HIV/AIDS Core Group
Mr. Sean Daniel
National Advisory Committee on
Mr. Grantley Haynes
Occupational Safety & Health (NACOSH)
SOCIAL SECURITY & WELFARE
Caribbean Employers’ Confederation
Mr. Tony Walcott
National Insurance Board
Sir Allan Fields
National Insurance Tribunals
Mr. Keith Foster
Mr. Tennyson Beckles
Ms. Cathy Layne
Mr. Tony Walcott
Shops Wages Council
Mr. Everton Browne
Mrs. Kryel Roach
42
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
We welcomed the following new members in 2012
DIRECTV (BARBADOS) LTD.
Innotech Services Ltd.
TeleBarbados Inc.
CAPITA Financial Services Inc.
M & R Incorporated
Diamonds International
Summit International
Sandy Crest Medical Centre
Rayside Construction Limited
Shelbury Construction
G-Tech Global Services
Resignations in 2012
Lazy Days & Island Waves
Lasco (Barbados) Ltd
Sea Freight Agencies
Foster's Bakery
FIS Card Services (Caribbean) Ltd.
43
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
BEC MEMBERSHIP TRADE GROUPS
Construction & Allied Services Group
Brian Parsons Ltd.
Bjerkham Associates Ltd.
C O. Williams Construction Ltd
Edghill Associates Ltd.
EHC Barbados Inc
Everson R Elcock & Co Ltd
Mahy.Ridley Hazzard Engineers
Nicholls & Edghill Ltd
Platinum Systems Inc
Preconco Ltd.
Rentokil Initial (Barbados) Ltd
Rotherly Construction Inc.
Stantec Consulting Inc
TMR Sales & Services Ltd
Distribution Group
A.C Fruit Growers
Armstrong Agencies
B & B Distribution Ltd
Barbados Shipping & Trading
Brydens Distribution
Collins Ltd
C L Gibbs & Co. Ltd
DaCosta Mannings Inc
Duty Free Caribbean
DWise Inc (Dollar Wise)
Facey (Barbados)
Firgos Eastern C’bean Ltd
F.W Woolworth
Gatsby Incorporated
Gildan Activewear SRL
Goddard Enterprises Ltd
Hanschell Inniss Ltd
H.Jason Jones & Co. Ltd
H N Rogers Stationery Ltd
Knights Pharmacies
Pilgrim Business Ventures
PriceSmart
R L Seale & Co Ltd
SBI Distributions Inc
S.P Musson & Sons Co Ltd
Standard Distributors Ltd
Stokes & Bynoe Ltd
Super Centre Ltd
Unicomer (B’dos) Ltd
Garage Group
Courtesy Garage Ltd
McEnearney Quality Inc
Simpson Motors Ltd
44
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
Manufacturers Group
A C Woodhouse Inc
ADM Barbados Mills
Arawak Cement Co. Ltd
Agro Chemicals Inc
Barbados Bottling Co. Ltd
Barbados Dairy Industries Ltd.
Barbados Packaging Industries
Ltd.
Banks Breweries Barbados Ltd.
Berger Paints B’dos Ltd
BICO Ltd
Caribbean Confection Co. Ltd
CaribSupply (B’dos) SRL
Carlisle Laboratories Ltd
COEM Limited
Cole’s Printery Ltd
Crown Packaging Barbados Ltd
Doyle Offshore Sails Ltd
Drinks Plus Ltd
ECAF Products Ltd
Gales Agro Products Ltd.
Good Times Snacks Ltd
Harris Paints Ltd
HIPAC Ltd
McBride Caribbean Ltd
Moore Paragon Ltd
Mount Gay Rum Distilleries
Peronne Manufacturing Ltd
Plastic Containers Ltd
Purity Bakeries
Ready Mix Ltd
Roberts Manufacturing Co Ltd
Rose & LaFlamme Ltd
Rum Refinery of Mount Gay Ltd
Tiny Tots Ltd
Trowel Plastics Ltd.
West India Biscuit Co Ltd
West India Rum Distillery
Hospitality Services Group
Airport Restaurants Ltd
Altman Real Estate
Barbados Conference Services
Barbados Golf Club
Barbados Tourism Investment
Barbados Yacht Club
Beach House (The)
Caves of Barbados Co Ltd
Chefette Restaurants Ltd
Chicken Barn Ltd
Ellco Rentals Ltd
Goddard’s Catering Group
Pauls Enterprises
Waterfront Café
45
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
Financial Services Group
Bank of Nova Scotia
Bayshore Bank & Trust
Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union
Barbados Workers Union Credit Union
BS&T Employees Cooperative Credit Union
Central Bank of Barbados
City of Bridgetown Cooperative Credit Union
Co-operators General Insurance Co Ltd
FirstCaribbean International Bank
First Citizen Bank Barbados Ltd (formerly Butterfield Bank)
Guardian Insurance Ltd
Insurance Corporation of Barbados
Pan American Life & General Insurance Co.
Republic Bank Barbados Ltd. (formerly B’dos National Bank)
Republic Bank Mortgage Centre (formerly B’dos Mortgage Finance)
RBC Royal Bank (Barbados) Ltd. (merger of RBC & RBTT)
Sagicor Life Inc
Trident Insurance Inc
United Insurance Co. Ltd
Ancillary Services
Barbados National Productivity
Council
BCB Communications Inc
Barbados Business Machines
Barbados Turf Club
Bayview Hospital
CARDI
Caribbean Broadcasting
Corporation
Codrington Trust
DHL Barbados Ltd
Ember Investments Inc
Foursight Optical
G4S Security Services
Guardsman B’dos
Global Directories Ltd
Illuminat B’dos Ltd
On-line Consultancies
Regional Business Systems
Secure Shred
JLT Towner Insurance Mgmt
46
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
Travel, Utility & Energy Group
Barbados Light & Power Co.
Ltd
Barbados National Oil Co. Ltd
Barbados Port Inc
Barbados National Terminal Co
Barbados Water Authority
British Airways Ltd
C’bean Aircraft Handling Co
Carib Rehab Ltd
Digicel Barbados Ltd
Esso Standard Oil S A Ltd
Foster & Ince Cruise Services
Grantley Adams International
Airport Inc
LIAT (1974) Ltd
LIME (formerly Cable &
Wireless B’dos Ltd
Rubis WI Caribbean
Seawell Air Services Ltd
Shell Western Supply & Trading
Co
SOL Barbados Ltd
Association of Employers
Barbados Agricultural Management Company
Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association
Barbados Small Business Association
Barbados Sugar Industry Ltd
Shipping Association of Barbados
47
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
THE BARBADOS HOTEL & TOURISM ASSOCIATION
Membership 2012
Accra Beach Hotel & Spa
Discovery Bay Hotel
All Seasons Resort - Europa
Divi Heritage
Almond Casuarina
Divi Southwinds
Amaryllis Beach Resort
Dover Beach Hotel
Angler Apts.
Fairmont Royal Pavilion Hotel
Apes Hill Club
Four Aces Apts & Cottages
Atlantis Hotel
Golden Sands Hotel
Aquatica Beach Resort Barbados
Great House (The)
Bayfield House
Hilton Barbados
Beach View Condominium Hotel
Hotel Pommarine
Best E Villas
Island Inn Hotel
Blue Horizon Apt. Hotel
Little Arches Hotel
Blue Orchids Beach Hotel
Little Bay Hotel
Bougainvillea Beach Resort
Little Good Harbour
Butterfly Beach Hotel
Mango Bay Hotel
The Club Barbados Resort & Spa
Nautilus Beach Apts.
Cobblers Cove
Ocean Two Resort And Residences
Coconut Court Beach Hotel
Ocean 15 Apartment Hotel
Colony Club Hotel
Ocean Spray Beach Apartments
Coral Mist Beach Hotel
Palm Garden
Coral Reef Club
Pirate's Inn
(Ocean Breeze Resort Ltd Trading As) Port St. Charles
Coral Sands Beach Resort
Rockley Plum Tree Club
Cove Spring House
Rostrevor Apts.
Courtyard By Marriott
Roundrock Apartments On Sea
The Crane Residential Resort
Royal Westmoreland
Crystal Cove Hotel
Salt Ash Apartments
25
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
Sandpiper (The)
Sandy Lane Hotel
Sea Breeze Beach Hotel & Vacation
Club
Sunswept Hotel
Sweetfield Manor Historic Bed &
Breakfast
Tamarind Cove Hotel
Seafoam Haciendas
Time Out
Sea-U Private Guest House
Travellers Palm Apts.
Seawinds
Treasure Beach Hotel
Settlers Beach Villa Hotel
Tropical Winds Apartment Hotel
Silver Point Villa Hotel
Turtle Beach Resort
South Beach Resort
Vineyard Suites (The)
South Gap Hotel
Walmer Lodge Apts.
Southern Palms Beach Club
Worthing Court Apartment Hotel
Sugar Cane Club Hotel
Yellow Bird Hotel
26
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
0
NOTES
27
ANNUAL REPORT 2012

Annual Report 2012 - Barbados Employers` Confederation

Transcription

Similar documents

barbados gospelfest sponsorship opportunities

BARBADOS GOSPELFEST

AVS24 2.4 GHZ Wireless Audio/Video Sender

No trophy could ever fully express our

A golden opportunity to A golden opportunity to

Tales from the Road

the 2012Conference Programme here

Pookoo Industrial Co., Ltd.

Bussa`s Rebellion - The National Archives

Exhibitors in Alphabetical Order