Ministry of Labour to Host National Tripartite Social Dialogue

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today to announce that the Ministry of Labour will hold its first National Tripartite Social Dialogue Meeting to focus on the Hotel Industry on Friday, 10th July 2020.

Mr. Speaker,

The overall objective of the meeting is to help ensure greater cooperation among the tripartite partners and build consensus on the way forward for the Hotel Industry.

The Dialogue will bring together representatives from Employees, Employers and the Government to discuss policies, laws and other matters that affect the hotel industry in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on Bermuda.

Mr. Speaker,

The more detailed meeting objectives involve having constructive dialogue and proposed solutions to:

1. Gain a common understanding of the issues and challenges facing the hotel industry in Bermuda;
2. Identify collective “quick wins”;
3. Identify actions needed to enable Hotels to reopen;
4. Identify ways to increase the numbers of Bermudians employed in the industry over the long-term;
5. Enhance training and development opportunities for Bermudians to prepare for initial entry and re-entry in the hotel industry;
6. Identify how Job Security can be increased for industry participants; and
7. Articulate factors needed to ensure the growth of the Hotel Industry long-term.

Some of the topics that may be discussed include:

• Current and Future State of the Hotel Industry Post-COVID-19
• Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Redundancy and Layoff
• Work Permit Issues
• Repatriation of Workers
• Hotel Redevelopment matters
• Unemployment Benefit
• Training & Development Programs

Mr. Speaker,

National Tripartite Social Dialogues bring together government, workers, and employers to discuss public policies, laws, and other decision making that affect the social partners.  A Tripartite consultation can ensure greater cooperation among the tripartite partners and build consensus on the way forward for the Hotel Industry.

The Tripartite Social Dialogue methodology includes:

1. Preparation;
2. Discussion of the issues;
3. Clarification of goals;
4. Negotiation of Agreements; and
5. Implementation of agreed of actions.

In light of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, Bermuda’s economy has been significantly disrupted, leading the hotel industry to sustain substantial losses.  With the gradual re-opening of the country, it is critical that urgent actions are taken to

Mr. Speaker,

The Meeting will be held on Friday, 10th July 2020 from 9:30 am with the following meeting attendees:

1. Representation from the Hotel Employers of Bermuda;
2. Representation from the Bermuda Hotel Association;
3. Representation from the Bermuda Industrial Union;
4. Representation from the Ministry of Labour; and
5. Representation from the Ministry of Tourism & Transport.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.