MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND MARCH 8TH IS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY.

To celebrate International Women's Day, Treasure Beach Women's Group Benevolent Society presents

WHAT: A V-Day Benefit Screening of "Until The Violence Stops: Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth (A Talk back directly follows the film)
WHEN: Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 4:30 pm to 6 pm
WHERE: Treasure Beach Women's Group Benevolent Society, Old Wharf Road, Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth

WHY: "...to stimulate dialogue, the crucial ingredient in the fight against domestic violence."

CONTACT: For additional information contact: Sharon Martini - 275-0832

Jamaica Observer


Editorial
Stop this wholesale disrespect!


Tuesday, March 08, 2011








LIKE most Jamaicans, we were encouraged by the labour ministry's intervention after the dreadful conditions under which women, in particular, are asked to work in wholesale stores in downtown Kingston were brought to public attention four years ago.

We had also felt a sense of hope when the ministry reported that its operatives had met with more than 70 owners and operators of these establishments to sensitise them on the requirements of the labour laws and to provide a forum for them to voice their concerns.

Those meetings resulted in the wholesalers promising to improve working conditions, including payment of overtime and providing some form of health insurance.

Saying that we are disappointed that the working conditions in these stores have in fact worsened since, as reported in this week's Sunday Observer, is an understatement.

No one, regardless of their station in life, should be subjected to the cruelty related to us by the workers interviewed.

Having 12-hour workdays, with little time to at least have a meal, and seven-day work weeks without adequate remuneration, are not only exploitative, but are in breach of local and international labour laws.

The fact that the majority of the workers in these establishments are women makes the conditions more egregious and should give the country, and gender rights advocates in particular, great cause for reflection as we join the world in observing International Women's Day today.

The response of the labour minister, Mr Pearnel Charles, that the officials in his ministry have no way of knowing the true situation if workers are not reporting breaches has, understandably, angered some people. However, Minister Charles has explained that the system is in place for workers to make complaints and for the ministry to follow up.

Where the problem exists, however, is in the fear among the workers to report breaches. "People want to talk but they don't want to lose their jobs," one worker told the Sunday Observer.

Essentially, that fear is rooted in two realities, the first being the possibility of retaliation and victimisation by the owners and operators of the businesses, and the second an acknowledgement of the high level of unemployment in the country.

After all, one of the workers interviewed said her female boss had told her that if she was unhappy with how she was being treated she should leave because there were a lot of people hunting jobs.

That someone could say that to a citizen of Jamaica in 2011 suggests a callousness that is rooted in a lack of appreciation, or disregard, for the efforts of the local labour movement over many years to secure the rights of workers.

Even more disappointing is the fact that the offending comment was made by a woman to one of her own gender. It therefore gives great relevance to the theme of this year's International Women's Day celebration — 'Education and Training: Decent Work for Women'.

The solution is to have a well-educated, well-trained labour force and a healthy economy. But just as important is the fact that the experience of these young women in the wholesales is indicative of a wider display of a lack of respect for our people. All of that, we accept, won't be corrected overnight.

In the meantime, we believe that Mr Charles should be more forthright in investigating these claims and, where people are found guilty of breaking the law, send a strong signal that workers' rights are protected here.



Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Stop-this-wholesale-disrespect_8487658# ixzz1G02zEFqV