MOU signed to strengthen support for domestic workers

The country’s domestic workers are to benefit from training, improved labour protections and opportunities, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Jamaica Household Workers Union (JHWU).

The agreement, coinciding with the union’s 35th anniversary, builds on the existing partnership between the entities, by providing a more structured and strategic approach to delivering support to JHWU members.

It addresses several priority areas for which the union has long advocated including labour rights training, occupational safety and health awareness, employment services, and public education initiatives.

Portfolio Minister, Pearnel Charles Jr., in his remarks at the recent signing ceremony held at the Ministry’s North Street office in Kingston, said that the MOU marks a significant step in strengthening collaboration to advance the rights and welfare of domestic workers.

He said it will help to guide implementation and ensure consistency in addressing long-standing concerns.

“This MOU speaks to training, capacity building, particularly on the issues of relevance that you have been fighting for years for,” he pointed out.

“[It] will help us to structure the implementation and ensure consistency in terms of preparing the [workers] and giving them the tools to protect themselves,” he added.

Charles Jr. noted that the agreement will allow stakeholders to move beyond advocacy to action.

“We should just be discussing how, where and when… we don’t need to be discussing why; we know the why,” he said.

The Minister said that the agreement forms part of wider efforts to position the country’s workers for opportunities both locally and overseas.

He commended the JHWU on 35 years of advocacy, noting that the organisation continues to play a critical role in advancing national recognition of domestic workers’ rights.

He said that the Government remains committed to supporting the union and its members.

- JIS News

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