Jamaica Labour Ministry to probe working conditions of striking CHEC workers

(Jamaica Gleaner) A team from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is to investigate complaints by Jamaican workers employed with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Limited about poor working conditions.

The disclosure was made in a statement released by the ministry yesterday.

The workers, who are assigned to two major road improvement projects in the Corporate Area, walked off the job earlier this week to press their demand for better wages and improved working conditions.

The Labour Ministry says it has been “monitoring media reports” about the industrial action.

In addition, it said, representatives from the Ministry were a part of a meeting held with the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, the National Works Agency and the management of CHEC to discuss the reports.

“The Ministry (of Labour) will also be dispatching representatives from its Occupational Safety and Health Department to further investigate the allegations made in respect to working conditions,” the statement said.