Minister of Labour Colin Jordan reiterated on Tuesday that the Labour Clauses (Concessions) Bill is protection for ordinary workers that had the blessing of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU).He claimed that if the government had not intervened by drafting the new legislation there would be a “race to the bottom”.Jordan insisted that the Bill is not novel legislation but is built on the decades-old laws heralded by past BWU stalwarts. He named Sir Grantley Adams – one of the ruling Barbados Labour Party’s founding fathers who also co-founded the BWU. Jordan also noted long-time BWU general secretary Sir Frank Walcott, and lawmakers Sir Kenmore Husbands and JTC Ramsay.Jordan said the original legislation, the Labour Clauses Public Contracts Act of 1952, was a response to the workers’ dissatisfaction and struggle of the 1930s and he expressed “sadness” that the Barbadian environment in 2024 would necessitate a similar Bill being brought before the Parliament.Leading off debate on the Bill, Jordan said the legislation is to protect vulnerable workers from employers who benefit from the government’s concessions but who fail to maintain a minimum standard concerning those whom they engage in employment.He said: “Where the taxpayers’ money is involved, then those who benefit must treat to the taxpayers who work for them at some minimum standard. In other words, an employing entity should not be gaining an advantage over some other employing entity by not meeting at least some minimum standard for the treatment of their workers.