Nestle Jamaica Limited has laid off several casual and temporary employees as it is forced to make adjustments to its operations due to the negative effects of the downturn in the Jamaican economy.

The National Workers Union (NWU) which represents employees at the company says in addition, the company is proposing to reduce its work week.

According to NWU President, Vincent Morrison, Nestle employees will work one day less.

Meanwhile, Mr. Morrison is calling on Labour Minister Pearnel Charles to desist from making utterances which give the impression that Jamaica is out of the woods as far as the global recession is concerned.

In challenging a statement made by the Labour Minister yesterday that the worst has passed for Jamaica and employment could pick up next year, Mr. Morrison said that there is no immediate sign of recovery for the local economy.

Mr. Charles was responding to a report from the International Labour Organization, which claimed that more workers around the world are set to lose their jobs as the slow down in the world economy continues.

But Mr. Morrison says at least 10,000 more private sector jobs are likely to be cut in 2010 adding that significant job cuts are also on the horizon for the public sector.

In the meantime, Vice President of the National Workers Union (NWU) Granville Valentine has accused the management of the Spanish-owned Grand Palladium Resort and Spa in Lucea, Hanover of union busting.

The accusation comes just a day before a representational rights poll is held at the hotel.

According to the NWU, the hotel’s management is using underhand tactics to influence the workers into not participating in the poll.

Among other things, Mr. Valentine says the hotel has been promising the employees improved fringe benefits.

In light of this, Mr. Valentine is warning the hotel’s management that this could be considered a form of union busting.

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