Assistant labour boss retires from DLP
(CNS): The Assistant Director of the Department of Labour & Pensions (DLP) Robert Whittaker retired Wednesday after 24 years in public service. Whittaker was the longest serving employee at the DLP and officials said he has played a major role in significant change at the department over the years. This included the revamping of the Labour Tribunals in 2002, which divided the original body into six separate boards and saw the introduction of formal training for all new members. He also assisted in the establishment of the Conciliation and Mediation Unit in 2002, which separated the Complaints Section from the Enforcement Unit. Since 2000 Whittaker has served as Assistant Director and Senior Labour Officer.
From 1998-2000 he worked as Senior Labour Inspector, and prior to that was Labour Inspector from 1991 to 1998. In 1998 he also spent time seconded to the Turks and Caicos Labour Office. For much of his tenure at DLP he also served as an ex officio member of the Immigration Board.
“I can’t say enough about Mr. Whittaker’s work ethic and leadership,” said the director of labour and pensions, and acting superintendent of pensions, Mario Ebanks. “His commitment, dedication and sincere interest in helping people are commendable. He will be missed.”
Acting Chief Officer in the Ministry for Employment, Christen Suckoo thanked Whittaker for his “exceptional commitment” to the Department and his outstanding service. “I wish him the very best in his future endeavours and hope he enjoys his retirement which he rightly deserves,” he added.
Category: Local News
He is the only one there that knew the law and could get anything done. He will be sorely missed. I have had a case pending for almost a year with one of the other officers and even after complaints to the DLP nothing has happened and he doesn't respond to my telephone calls and emails.
I hope he is leaving on his own and not another forced retirement.
Thanks Robert for all your hard work over the years. Cayman is the loser now.
This man will be sorely missed. He knows everything and returns calls the DLP will not be the same. We can only hope that their service will not get any worse than it is now.
Mr. Whittaker will be missed. The only one in that Department that is fair on both sides….
We wish you a well deserved retirement, you earned it. You always took the time and tried to mediate many unfortunate situations. We are proud of you and also to call you our friend. God Bless, Doris and Michel Lemay
I will miss him. He knows everything
I just love this site. The best thing to happen to Cayman since Jim Bodden days is Cayman News Service. Well done CNS. And happy retirement Mr. Whittaker
Really. Would that be the same Jim Bodden that sold the same land & condos to multiple buyers, who conducted government business from his private offices, who knocked down most of Fort George, who killed the development plan we had in the early 70's, who convinced people that we could not extert any control over developers resulting is the foundations of the crap we have now, etc. etc. That one? Some hero.
yeah, remember his great policy….. one for you, one for me, two for you ,thre,four,five for me.
Best person i have met.
Helped me so much over the years in regards to work and life.
you will be truly missed my friend.
Go take your deserved rest. New people with new ideas and honest perspectives will have to be found. DLP has another chance to hire a competent individual.