JIC has critical role in Gov't's plans for logistics parks

The Joint Industrial Council (JIC) for the Port of Kingston has a key role to play in the plans by the Government of Jamaica to expand the port and establish logistics parks, Derrick Kellier, minister of labour and social security, said.

According to Kellier, against the background of the plans for the opening of the expanded locks of the Panama Canal in 2015, stability and harmony on Jamaica's port can only serve to further the development of the Jamaican economy. The minister, who was speaking at a special meeting of the JIC held at the offices of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) recently, said the JIC's role will also be to upgrade the human resource capacity in the industry.

The JIC for the Port of Kingston, established in 1952, was formed by the SAJ, the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), the Trades Union Congress, and the United Portworkers & Seamen Union.

Its mandate includes securing the greatest level of cooperation between port labour and management, utilising the most efficient methods to improve the operating conditions for all entities engaged directly in shipping, and identifying ways and means of ensuring fair and equitable distribution of available work on the Port of Kingston.

The legacy of the JIC, he said, is an exemplary template that has commanded the admiration of the Government, trade unions, and all other stakeholders. "Despite these attributes, we must all take into consideration the fact that, if we are to benefit as a country from the growth in trade on our ports and the expansion of our shipping facilities, there will have to be corresponding upgrading of our human resources potential as well," Kellier said.

JIC will be ready

The minister, however, expressed confidence in the committee, stating his belief that the JIC will be ready when the time comes. Kim Clarke, president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, assured the minister that all parties stand ready to work with the ministry to ensure that the objectives related to the plans to establish the logistics parks are met.

"We want to assure you, minister, that based on the successes of the JIC, the SAJ and the unions remain committed to the future of the industry over the next 60 years and beyond. We will continue to work assiduously to ensure that our workforce is equipped to take on the challenges ahead," Clarke said.

Alvin Sinclair, vice-president of the BITU, informed the minister and his team that the unions had agreed in principle to an unprecedented four-year agreement. "This was done deliberately with eyes wide open recognising the implications the Panama Canal will have on Jamaica. We thought it was in Jamaica's best interest that we embark on a contract beyond the opening of the Panama Canal," Sinclair said. The agreement, if consummated, would be a historic one for the shipping industry and Jamaica. Its effective period would be November 2012 to October 2016, Sinclair added.

In response, Minister Kellier said, "It shows the absolute maturity within the JIC that allows for this type of negotiation to take place. I am very impressed by this argument and I hope certainly that it might succeed and be best practice that we can utilise."

Following the meeting, the minister and his team toured the SAJ's portworker amenities building, the Kingston Container Terminal and Kingston Wharves Limited.