By Robert A. Emmanuel
President of the Human Resource Managers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (HRMATT), Cavelle Joseph St Omer, said regional leaders needed to come together to discuss the future of human resource development.
The comments came during an interview with Observer media last week during the second day of a three-day conference held in Antigua.
“We have been independent for so long and yet, so much of the colonial rules and legislation remain in place today that is impacting how the public service functions, how industrial relations work and how human capital is developed,” she exclaimed.
Joseph-St Omer called for a platform for regional ministers with responsibility for Labour and Human Resource Development to meet and discuss an approach to better facilitate the free movement of labour capital and a regional framework around legislative reform.
She argued that if there was a greater allowance for the labour movement, it could better encourage the exchange of knowledge and cultures, bringing the people of the Caribbean region closer.
The three-day LOUD23 conference was held under the theme ‘Call Your Tune’ with topics such as development of workplace polices for a maturing population presented by Janice Sutherland.
Sutherland, in her presentation, argued that as the working population becomes more mature, executives and employers needs to establish policies to support those workers.
This included family caregiving support, especially for persons who support aging parents as well as their own children and a policy for women experiencing menopause.
She argued that mature workers have lived through the development of different technologies and have shown adaptability and great loyalty to companies that support them.
Meanwhile, Observer also spoke to President of the Human Resource Professionals of Antigua and Barbuda (HRPAB), Laurie Louard, about his views on support this new diverse work environment.
“Normally, when we talk about diversity, equality and inclusion, the first thing that conjures up in our minds would be the LGBTQIA+ community, but as Caribbean people … we are realising is necessary for us to see is things such as ageism, migration, having things in place at our workplace [for different body types], or someone who is differently-abled,” Louard said.
He explained that being inclusive as employers, was vital to reach for companies to reach out to the most talented workers.
Meanwhile, another question for a diverse workplace is the creation of artificial technology and its potential impact on the workforce.
President of the Caribbean Society of Human Resource Professionals (CSHRP) Rochelle James told our newsroom that it was important for society to embrace the technology as it opens new jobs and opportunities for professional development.