Calls for an extension to States consultation

Tuesday 17 September 2019

A consortium of Guernsey Business Groups have called for an extension to a States run consultation on introducing discrimination legislation.

The Guernsey Branch of the Institute of Directors, the Guernsey International Business Association, the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Guernsey Industry (the G4) and the Guernsey branch of the CIPD have all released a joint statement.

The associations have been working with the Committee for Employment & Social Security (‘ESS’) to gain feedback from members regarding the consultation around the proposed new legislation surrounding discrimination, and they all want members to respond to it by the 30 September deadline.

However, the group said they note concerns which have been raised.

"We note the concerns raised by those in our organisations over the complexity and wide-ranging nature of the proposals, coupled with the relatively short time for the consultation – most of which took place over the summer holiday - and we would ask that ESS consider an extension to the consultation deadline.

"Our members are also keen to see the States’ own impact assessment of these proposals so they can use this to inform their own analysis and help shape their response to the consultation. Our members also note that this would also assist in any ‘myth busting’ and reduce the risk of unintended consequences, such as those experienced following the new Population Management rules.

"If this analysis is not yet available, given the wide-ranging nature and complexity of the proposals, we would respectfully request the consultation is extended until it is available. It would seem unfair to expect businesses and the public at large to respond to the consultation in a shorter period than the States, particularly given the States’ unique access to skilled resources in order to undertake the analysis.

"We have made the assumption that, as the States is both the largest employer in the island and the largest property owner, it has completed or is in the process of carrying out an impact analysis of its own sector Clearly if this is not the case we would see this as an absolute requirement as part of the States consultation and deliberation of these proposals."