By Zacki Jabbar
The Labour Ministry is to amend certain provisions of the Workers Charter following representations made by the Employers Federation informed sources said.

However a Labour Ministry spokesman said that the merits of the proposals made by the Employers Federation will be considered this week in relation to the Workers Charter which has already been published.

"We will consider how best the Employers proposals could be incorporated into the Employment and Industrial Relations Bill, whether it is in conformity with the principles that have already been laid down in the Workers Charter".

Sources said that among the proposals made by the Employers Federation are a Productivity Council that would determine wages based on productivity and a change in the definition of the Trade Union in the Trade Union Ordinance.

The Labour Ministry spokesman said that in regard to wages the Workers Charter has proposed a National Wages Policy Commission.

Sources said it is likely the Labour Ministry would agree to the Employers Federation proposal of the Wages Ordinance being replaced by the Productivity Council and also give favourable consideration to the redefinition of the term trade union

As for trade union rights the Employers Federation is in agreement that workers should be permitted their fundamental rights, the Labour Ministry spokesman said.