(Trinidad Express) If the Government adheres to the demands of the trade union leaders without the benefit of prudent management then the entire country could be placed at risk as the gains made in the economy could be lost.
This is according to a full-page advertisement bearing the Coat of Arms, published the daily newspapers yesterday entitled, “In a National Strike, Who stands to Lose?”
“In good faith, we must put aside our own individual interest and put the economic welfare of our nation first, not in the streets but at the table of reconciliation and compromise,” the advertisement stated.
It further stated despite a positive economic growth for the year thus far, the Government has been searching “for the right equilibrium to maintain the stability of the country’s finances and at the same time redirect expenditure to reignite growth”.
It notes that the negotiations between the unions and the Government had been done with the hope of arriving at the best possible compensation package; adding that the five per cent wage ceiling, which Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar denied instituting, when taken with medical and pension benefits as a as retroactive COLA (cost of living allowance) would increase the workers’ salaries.
“It is somewhat ironic that these debates have turned into a five per cent debate…This is not sufficient justification to magnify and isolate the issue of five per cent to be a rallying call to shut down the country,” the statement continued.
On Labour Day (June 19), president general of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) Ancel Roget, along with other labour heads, said the Government may see a general shutdown of the country if their demands were not adhered to, including the removal of the five per cent wage cap.
A footnote on the advertisement stated, “In good faith, we must put aside our own individual interests and put the economic welfare of our nation first, not out in the streets, but at the table of reconciliation and compromise. We must continue to do so, in light of what we see collectively as the ability of our own nation to steer through these difficult times, and not increase the risks that we are likely to face. And so, we look forward to continuing the process of building a partnership with every sector of our society to ensure equity, justice and prosperity for all.”
