Labour In T&T
In the mid-1980s, Ricardo Morales, an American artist and unionist, created a bumper sticker “Labour unions: the folks that brought you the weekend.” It is a succinct reminder of the debt modern society owes to the labour movement.
In Trinidad and Tobago in 2011, workers benefit not only from the weekend, but public holidays and a variety of other types of leave and rights entrenched in law and policy. This country is also a signatory to various ILO conventions, some of which have been translated into domestic legislation.
As T&T celebrated Labour Day on June 19, the day was commemorated with the usual activities hosted by trade unions. Most of the messages were traditional, geared to reaffirmation and articulating the labour movement’s dissatisfaction with the State as an employer.
But the modern labour movement is facing new challenges. One such hinges on the very transition of Labour to a valued national stakeholder which is called upon to take responsibility as a full partner in the social and economic well-being of our country. This means consulting, collaborating and working in unison with Government, Business, Civil Society and other partners towards common national goals.
In the 2010/2011 Competitiveness Index, this country ranked a lowly 84th out of 139 countries (with 1 being the highest). One of the two “Most Problematic Factors for Doing Business” was “Poor work ethic in the national labour force.” This translates into low productivity by the work force. Further, ‘Cooperation in labour-employer relations’ is at 124 in the Competitiveness Index. The importance of collaboration therefore cannot be over-emphasised.
The fact that this country needs to improve its work ethic and increase its productivity levels has to be recognised by all stakeholders. Minister of Labour Errol McLeod, former leader of what is arguably this country’s most powerful trade union, has stated “Productivity, commitment and professionalism must dominate our work ethic…”
With the Prime Minister declaring Trinidad and Tobago ‘open for business’ on her foreign trips, this country must now set itself to walk the talk when investors show interest. The slowdown in the economy which only began to be felt by the average citizen in late 2009 is not predicted to change much with only 1-2 % growth predicted for 2011. Foreign direct investment is sorely needed to re-energise this economy and increase its competitiveness.
The responsibility for enhancing competitiveness cannot however, rest solely with the State while other social partners limit themselves to narrow, insular concerns. Nor can any national ambition to advance our country be realised by antagonism and confrontation among the very parties charged with making it happen.
Several efforts have been made over the years to establish a working relationship between the State, Business and Labour, including the Compact 2000 and Beyond, the last administration’s Productivity Council and the present government’s National Competitiveness and Innovation Council. It is our hope that the last will succeed where the former two failed, and we look forward to the appointment of a new Chairman and the publication of its Terms of Reference.
It is imperative for national stakeholders to genuinely come together in multipartite efforts to reignite our economy and society. To succeed in such an effort would be for all parties to win at the same game.
