Employment legislation on the books from two years ago comes in to full force this Friday, but the Employment Tribunal to hear complaints will not be in place until some time later.

This from the Ministry of Labour, which recently said appointing members to the Tribunal - which may consist of a chairman, deputy with legal or labour qualifications and up to 12 members - is a "work in progress" that will happen as "soon as possible" but not before March 1.

Permanent Secretary for Labour Robert Horton, in response to questions sent to Minister Terry Lister, said Government had invited recommendations from the various labour organisations:

"We want to give them time to make their recommendations, and we will make appointments as soon as possible thereafter."

The Tribunal is being set up in accordance with the Employment Act 2000 which took effect from March, 2001. Employers were however been given one year in which to comply with regulations for existing employees.

The purpose of the Act is to promote fair treatment of employers and employees, provide minimum standards, establish procedures and notice periods for termination, protect against unfair dismissal and establish the Employment Tribunal.

As part of legislating minimum employment standards Employment Inspectors have also been put in place. A case is only to come before the Employment Tribunal if the Inspectors cannot bring about conciliation between employer and employee.

Employment Inspectors are to be staff members already in place in the Government's Labour Relations department. They are Labour Relations Director Larry Burgess, Officer Glenn Fubler and Consultant Arlene Brock.

The Inspector's role is to investigate employee's complaint or where the inspector has "reasonable grounds" that there has been a breach.

After making the relevant inquiries, the Inspector will attempt conciliation between the parties but only after the company's internal grievance policy, if any, has been followed.