Workers will receive stronger protection when employers fail to pay wages, ministers Sandra Husbands and Dr Romel Springer said as they backed the Protection of Wages Bill in the House of Assembly on Tuesday.

The legislation, first introduced on June 29, seeks to reform the law governing the protection of wages, strengthen the powers of the Chief Labour Officer to deal with claims for unpaid wages, repeal the existing Protection of Wages Act, and update provisions to reflect modern employment practices.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport and Works Dr Romel Springer said the bill continues Barbados’ long struggle to secure fair treatment for workers.