and workshop participants
The UWI Open Campus in Anguilla and Mrs. Aunika Webster-Lake of Oasis HR Solutions, have partnered to hold a short series of workshops on Employment and the new Labour Relations Act in Anguilla.
Part one was arranged for October 10 and 11 – and part 2, October 15 and 17. The aim of the workshops was to provide employers, employees, human resource representatives and union representatives with a better understanding of the above legislation as it relates to employment and other matters.
Mrs. Webster-Lake, a former Labour Commissioner in Anguilla, now Principal of Oasis HR Solutions, gave the following explanation of the workshops held at the Teachers’ Resource Centre. “As you know, laws can at times be confusing. Persons are not always able to understand what the laws means, so the UWI Open Campus has given persons an opportunity to discuss the Labour Laws. Given that I used to work at the Labour Department, it was thought that it might be helpful if I should lead the discussions because of my background.
“The participants came to discuss the Labour Laws – brought their work scenarios, handbooks, asked questions and we were able to look at those matters in connection with the new Labour Relations Law. The aim was to help the participants not only to comply with the law but to have an understanding of it.”
Mrs. Webster-Lake said she had undertaken to conduct the workshops for her own clients, but the UWI Open Campus was of the view that the workshops should be extended to other companies as well.
Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, Manager of the UWI Open Campuses in Anguilla and the other Caribbean British Overseas Territories, commented: “It is part of the UWI Open Campus’ mandate in terms of meeting the needs of stakeholders. We see this as part of our continuing and professional education programme where we conduct short courses and also workshops like these.”
She added: “The workshops came from the fact that the legislation is new and, while persons may have had the opportunity to go through it, it was important to understand how it affects them in their day to day operations. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and we figure that we should have an in-depth session where persons can have an opportunity to look at their practices and make sure that they are in sync with the law.”
