Post a comment
In a crucial meeting on January 18, 2024, the Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, joined forces with Chief Justice Nicholas Browne Marke and High Court Judges to address the persistent challenges of backlogs in the Industrial Court.
Accompanied by senior staff, including Permanent Secretary Fatmata Mustapha, Minister Swaray expressed gratitude to the judiciary for their longstanding commitment to resolving labour disputes. However, he underscored the pressing issues hindering the efficient administration of justice in the Industrial Court.
The Minister highlighted concerns about delays caused by frequent adjournments, creating unrest in workplaces across the nation. Emphasizing the need for expeditious resolution, Swaray urged the judiciary to fast-track cases to foster harmony within the labour industry.
Among the challenges outlined by Minister Swaray were non-appearance by the opposing party, absence of assessors as mandated by the Regulations of Wages and Industrial Relation Act No. 18 of 1971, inadequate paralegal training for labour officers, absence of a proper schedule for industrial matters, and delays in delivering judgments.
President Bio’s vision for a conducive environment ensuring prompt justice for both workers and employers was reiterated by Minister Swaray. He appealed to Chief Justice Marke to eliminate bottlenecks causing delays in the Industrial Court.
Responding to these concerns, Chief Justice Marke commended the Ministry for their cooperation and commitment to justice. He assured Minister Swaray that the Judiciary is diligently working to address the challenges faced by the Industrial Court and called for increased collaboration.
In a forward-looking approach, Minister Swaray disclosed plans for a Legal Adviser within the Ministry to scrutinize labour dispute matters before reaching the court. Additionally, he proposed training sessions on Labour Laws for Judges and Ministry Staff to enhance their expertise in handling industrial matters. The collaborative efforts between the Ministry and the Judiciary aim to streamline processes and ensure timely justice in the Industrial Court.
