Public forum all set to highlight workers’ rights
Workers’ rights will come under the spotlight at a public forum taking place tomorrow.
The Committee for Migrant Workers is hosting the session at the Bermuda Industrial Union’s headquarters in Hamilton, from 5.30pm to 7pm.
Panelists include Catholic Bishop Robert Kurtz, lawyer Juliana Snelling and Amnesty International Bermuda director Robyn Skinner, as well as representatives from the BIU and the Department of Labour.
Lawyer Larry Scott will act as moderator.
Union officials and human rights campaigners announced in November that they were joining forces to help the hundreds of foreigners working in poor conditions on the Island.
The new committee, part of the Building and Wood Workers’ International federation, pledged to push for tougher laws to protect exploited workers, claiming many were grossly underpaid and overworked.
Tomorrow’s forum is the first to be held by the group and is aimed at informing Bermudians and migrant workers of their rights under the Employment Act 2000.
“The Island has heard of migrant workers who are unaware of their rights being paid $50 for a week’s work,” the committee said in a statement.
“We’ve heard of workers fired for joining a union. It is time to focus on the rights of the Island’s workers and ensure that everyone Bermudian and foreigner alike has access to the pertinent information.
“The forum will explain and explore the minimum standards according to the Employment Act 2000.
“The forum will have various leaders from the Island’s organisations on hand to answer questions, comment on trends and explain how the Employment Act 2000 provides basic rights to all workers.”
l Useful websites: www.catholicbermuda.org, www.amnestybermuda.org, www.bwint.org
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Published May 2, 2011 at 9:04 am (Updated May 2, 2011 at 9:04 am)