BPSU Migrant Workers Stakeholder Meeting
The Bermuda Public Services Union [BPSU] held a Migrant Worker’s Stakeholder meeting yesterday [Sept 4] to “discuss issues effecting Bermuda’s guest worker population, such as bullying and harassment, xenophobia and precarious work.”
A spokesperson said, “Representatives from 14 stakeholder organisations were present at the meeting which included the: Association of Filipinos in Bermuda, Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, Bermuda Hospitals Board, Bermuda Hotels Association, Bermuda Industrial Union, Bermuda Public Services Union, Bermuda Trade Union Congress, Bermuda Union of Teachers, Electrical Supply Trade Union, Employee Assistance Programme of Bermuda, Human Rights Commission, Bermuda Government Labour Relations Department, Portuguese Cultural Association of Bermuda and the West Indian Association.
“Stakeholders shared stories of their experience surrounding the plight of some guest workers. These stories included things such as bullying and harassment, instances where employers have seized travel documents when guest workers arrived in Bermuda, variation to guest worker employment contracts after arrival and numerous other abuses by employers which are against the Employment Act.
“More alarming stories were shared on how some stakeholders have assisted domestic workers in escaping their places of employment as a result of the abuses and undignified treatment they receive from their employers. The Labour Department confirmed that they had received similar reports and complaints.
“After having a robust discussion on various issues, stakeholders agreed to formulate a Guest Workers Taskforce that will meet monthly commencing October 2019 with aims to:
- Raise awareness about the positive contribution of guest workers to our economy
- Promote cultural diversity
- Inform guest workers of their rights
- Actively campaign against xenophobia and combat discrimination
- Raise specific concerns of guest workers in the Labour Advisor Committee, and
- Ensure that Bermuda’s legislation fully protects all workers.
“It is important that we recognise that guest workers play a vital role in our society as Bermuda will always have to rely on guest workers to fill some areas of our workforce. Guest workers undoubtably contribute positively to our economy.
“We cannot and will not turn a blind eye to the plight of this population in Bermuda, as all workers should be afforded decent work.”
PLP 2017 Election campaign was 100% xenophobic!!
Blah blah blah
And they still won
That’s because their base is also 100% xenophobic. You must be so proud.
25-11
Ya we know. Touching your toes yet oj?
So what do you call the UBP aka oba who changes it’s name to trick voters that the party has changed????
I call it a lie. The UBP did not change its name to the OBA. Something different happened (which I have explained previously).
LOLOLOL boy you must be stupid. Anyway forget the party it’s dead in the water a third party will be formed and that will be the end of both parties.
Not stupid, just a Bermudian who lives in Bermuda and reads the news.
The whole meltdown of the UBP was front page news. At the end, only Kim Swan, now a PLP MP, was a member of the UBP.
The term ‘Migrant Workers’ is offensive. It belongs in the 1960s.
I hope it’s held on neutral ground and that they are made to feel welcomed by all of us.!
Uhhh you do realize our government is reason the reason they are being treated like this right? It’s pretty obvious what group of Bermudians are to blame. Not rocket science on who you need to change the minds of.
Isn’t this the same group of people that want these people gone? I hope these people don’t fall in the trap.
What an odd position for Jason Hayward to take
And Rocky5 is suffering from brain damage after so many useless comments.