Companies Act, sexual harassment take focus in Throne Speech
Published:Friday | February 16, 2024 | 12:13 AMEdmond Campbell/Senior Parliamentary Reporter
The Government is taking steps to put into operation the Sexual Harassment Tribunal in the new parliamentary year, to address sexual harassment complaints.
This was announced by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen in his presentation of the Throne Speech in Gordon House yesterday. The Throne Speech outlines the government’s policies and programmes, as well as its legislative agenda for the 2024-2025 parliamentary year.
The Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act, 2021 makes provision for employers and heads of institutions to maintain a register with the details of every sexual harassment claim that has been lodged.
The tribunal will hear and make a determination regarding the veracity of complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace and other institutions.
In the new parliamentary year, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) will also become operational and commence enrolment and issue National Identification cards.
“More government services will be made easily accessible online through use of the electronic National ID card, to enhance productivity and growth,” Sir Patrick said.
Last year, the government finalised the development of the national identification regulations and successfully completed a pilot of the system.
Turning to the vexed issue of accessing beaches in Jamaica, the governor general said that the government is moving to provide greater access to suitable public beach facilities for all Jamaicans.
PRIORITY AREAS
He said eight beaches are at various stages of the design and approval process under the ongoing National Beach Development Programme. Among those proposed for enhancement in 2024-2025 are Priory Bathing and Fishing Beach in St Ann and Pagee Beach in St Mary.
On the legislative front, amendments to the Companies Act will be among the priority areas for the government.
The draft of the bill is being finalised, with the amendments aimed at strengthening the efficiency and operation of companies in Jamaica to create an enabling environment for business.
At the same time, the government is proposing to revise various key pieces of health-related legislation this year.
Among the pieces of legislation to be pursued are the Tobacco Control Bill, which will enable Jamaica to be in compliance with its international obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and the Food and Drugs (Amendment) Bill, which will allow for the effective regulation of natural health products, including nutraceuticals.
The government is also taking steps in the new legislative year to amend the Nurses and Midwives Act and the Pharmacy Act, to legalise the role of advanced practice registered nurses and enable family nurse practitioners and mental health psychiatric nurse practitioners in public health centres and the University Hospital of the West Indies, to prescribe a list of pharmaceuticals, as approved by the Pharmacy Council.
Opposition Spokesman on Finance Julian Robinson told The Gleaner yesterday that many of the announcements in the Throne Speech were a repetition of promises made in previous presentations.
“There wasn’t much that was new that was said. There are a number of things that were repeated. For example, in my own constituency, I would say this is the third Throne Speech where they have indicated that they are expanding the Lady Musgrave Road and Arthur Wint Drive, and we are not there yet,” Robinson said.
He said this points to issues in the Government’s procurement process and how difficult it was to move from announcement to actual implementation.