Formerly known as the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, the MELR was by an Executive Instrument in 2013 changed to its present name: Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.   

A statement issued by Charlotte Hanson, Head of Public Relations, MELR, following erroneous references being made to the Ministry’s previous name, urged government agencies, clients, stakeholders and the public to endeavour to label the Ministry with appropriate designation “Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations”.          

Meanwhile, regarding statutory functions, “aspects of the social welfare mandate have been re-aligned, and currently under the auspices of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection,” the statement said.

The MELR, which has Cabinet Status, currently has 14 agencies and departments, and as the name implies, is the lead policy advisor to government on matters pertaining to employment and labour relations.  

The Ministry per its mandate is responsible for the development of sector plans, formulate and implement policies which aim at creating and promoting decent jobs, management of public sector wages and productivity as well as develop strategies that promote industrial peace and harmony, and the re-settlement of labour disputes.

“Management believes and hopes that with this clarification, it is expected that all references and addresses to the Ministry will henceforth be in tandem with our mandate,” it added.