IlluMyFi

Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Facebook Messenger Email The likelihood of a full-blown industrial impasse between Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) and employees may very well come into being despite the company's status as an essential service. Earlier this week, a LUCLEC release informed customers of a temporary cut back in the company's operations, due to "the absence of a number of key team members". Customers were advised to be aware that there may be service delays with the online processing of service requests and transactions. Clients are also urged to utilise options for conducting business with LUCELEC, including SurePay and other available channels. The release adds that bill payments, including reconnection payments and inquiries can be accessed at all SurePay locations island wide. But an official source told THE VOICE that there are some outstanding matters to be resolved, relating to wage negotiations and other factors. Efforts to get LUCELEC or the trade unions representing the employees to speak on the matters hampering the full settlement of the 2018 - 2021 Collective Agreement have been futile. Also on the table is the 2021 - 2024 Collective Agreement. The seeds of a possible industrial action seem to have been sown in October when Grade 4 - 9 employees, represented by the National Workers Union (NWU), notified LUCELEC of an impending strike action on November 17. LUCELEC confirmed that it did receive a copy of the notice of strike action by the NWU in October of this year. LUCELEC, on November 7, in a press release stated that, "it has taken all steps in accordance with the requirements of the Labour Act Cap.16.04 of the revised laws of Saint Lucia to resolve all known grievances raised by the Union. These include the two cited in the notice of strike action, namely: The failure on part of the management of St. Lucia Electricity Services Ltd (LUCELEC) to bring to speedily resolve outstanding grievances. The non-resolution of long outstanding industrial relations matters including: The ECUPS Pension Plan 30% Shift Allowance Additionally, LUCELEC and the Union were advised on Friday, November 03, 2023, that the issues cited in number 2 have since been sent to the Labour Tribunal for resolution. This prevents the company from taking further action on these matters until that body has met and issued a judgement. LUCELEC awaits the response from the Union to the Minister's letter. LUCELEC advises its customers and the general public that the company is prepared to take all necessary actions to minimize the impact of the proposed strike action on its operations on the stated day and going forward." Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Facebook Messenger Email

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13.01.24 03:42

by thevoiceslu.com

Navigating the Sustainability Revolution: The Power of SDG Impact Standards in B...

Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Facebook Messenger Email Dr Axel Kravatzky is the managing partner of TT-based Syntegra-360 Ltd, vice-chair of ISO/TC309 Governance of Organizations and president of EUROCHAMTT. He enables companies to flourish, helping them increase the sustainable value they generate through integrated governance, certified management systems, and transformational leadership. The United Nations' Agenda 2030, adopted in 2015, with its ambitious set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, was agreed to by all governments. Across the Caribbean and other parts of the world, transformation is underway. In 2023, we have reached the halfway mark and can look back at what we have achieved. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) reports that the situation in the Caribbean is not too dissimilar from that of the rest of the world: 23% of our goals are reported to be on track after 50% of our allocated time has passed. In some areas, we have even moved away from the target. The disconnect between aspirations and commitment, from action and achievement, has become apparent. The Current Challenges in Achieving Sustainability The traditional "business as usual" model is ineffective in addressing our current sustainability crises. Despite widespread acknowledgement of the need for change, progress in achieving the SDGs is far too slow. Some have put their hope in the new global consensus Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks - within the Caribbean, mainly the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards published this year because they will likely be adopted within the Caribbean in the coming years. However, these ESG frameworks, while valuable in promoting awareness and transparency, predominantly focus on how sustainability issues impact the company rather than how the company impacts sustainability issues. Even those that incorporate double materiality - considering outcomes for people and the planet as well as the financial impact on the firm, as is the case with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) - focus primarily on reporting and not decision-making processes that prioritize well-being and real impact. A telling indicator of this discrepancy is the rise in ESG-branded funds, which has not corresponded with equivalent progress in achieving the SDGs. This situation suggests a decoupling of investment growth from actual sustainable development, highlighting the shortcomings of current approaches. The Need for a Transformative Pivot in Business Sustainability To address these shortcomings, there is a pressing need for businesses to pivot towards a new vision of sustainability. This transformation involves shifting: From profit-only focus to financial and non-financial value creation From short term to long-term decision making From sustainability as an add-on to a core feature of how all business gets done From shareholder-only value to multistakeholder val...