Amendment to jobs law may benefit employees

Social Security Minister Paul Routier wants to amend the Employment Law to give workers the right to get a colleague or a trade union member or official to speak on their behalf at a hearing. If this right is denied, the employee will be able to complain to the Employment Tribunal, who can award compensation of up to four weeks’ pay. And if an employer takes action against an employee in respect of the disciplinary action or grievance, the Tribunal will declare that action void. The proposed amendment, which was lodged with the Greffe this week, will now be debated by the States. It follows a similar proposition made by Deputy Geoff Southern last May which was narrowly defeated in the Assembly.