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By Halshane Burke
Labour Minister Karl Samuda has defended his handling of the issue surrounding the employment status of security guards.
Last September, the Supreme Court effectively ruled that security guards were employees and not independent contractors.
St. Patrice Ennis, General Secretary of the Union of Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (UTASP), as well as Vincent Morrison, President of the Union Of Clerical Administrative & Supervisory Employees (UCASE), have accused Mr. Samuda of showing no interest in the issue and being absent from the discussions.
When questioned about the issue during Thursday afternoon's sitting of the Standing Finance Committee, Mr. Samuda said he has never resiled from engaging with the security guards or their representatives.
He said his ministry has been trying to establish a joint industrial council, and through the Labour Advisory Council, the ministry has set up a core committee headed by President of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, Helene Davis Whyte.
Mr. Samuda added that he has had continuous discussions with representatives of the National Workers Union, Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, Jamaica Employers Federation and the Jamaica Association for Private Security.
But Opposition Spokesperson on Labour Dr. Angela Brown Burke was not satisfied with the response, resulting in a tense exchange between the two.
Dr. Brown Burke urged Mr. Samuda to "heed the requests that have been made" for him to meet with individuals.
But Mr. Samuda interjected, saying he would not "meet with somebody who has no foundation".
Dr. Brown Burke insisted that at least two groups - one with about 200 members - wanted to meet with the minister.
Urged to name the groups, she cited Teddylee Gray, who she suggested has "been at pains" to get the attention of the minister.
Mr. Samuda fired back, saying that Mr. Gray, who is the president of the Jamaica Association of Private Security, has never written to the ministry to request a meeting.
Mr. Samuda said the ministry stands ready to meet with aggrieved parties to resolve any and all disputes.
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