By Prior Beharry
IN extending salutations for Labour Day, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says he is puzzled by the strong language in public that does not reflect the realities facing Trinidad and Tobago.
He said, “I will admit that the strong language, which is being repeated in the public space has left me a bit puzzled, because it does not reflect, either normal industrial relations practice or the economic realities facing T&T.”
Dr Rowley said he extended greetings genuinely with the same intent over the past years of his Government and in spite of the dissatisfaction expressed by some leaders with the labour movement.
He said, “It is being said that the Labour movement feels disrespected by the initial offer to Public Sector trade unions, although I, clearly indicated that the offer was the initial negotiating position, and that negotiations would soon begin with the various bodies.
“I explained further that because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict our Treasury received an unplanned, short-term financial boost, part of which the Government intends to share among State employees, who have been pleading for wage-salary increases for the past eight years.
“The Chief Personnel Officer made a two per cent initial offer over an eight-year period from 2014 to 2021.”
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He said this offer has since been increased to four per cent over a six-year period 2014 to 2019.
Dr Rowley said this will cost the Government $2.5 billion in back pay up to June 2022, and be committed to a further $500 million, annually, just for the civil service, teaching service, defence force, protective services and daily rated workers.
He added, “To this must be added the cost of a wage increase for statutory authorities and state enterprises, which will increase the total cost of a four percent increase by as much as a further 50%.
“Should negotiations be settled at eight per cent, those figures will literally double, taking back pay to over $5 billion and the annual recurrent cost to over $1.5 billion.”
Dr Rowley cited the recent statement by the Central Bank warning that this current windfall in energy revenues was “temporary” and should be used, instead to fund the adjustments in the national budget, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said this windfall, therefore was not significant.
Dr Rowley said, “This could be likened to an unrealistic situation of a person, who maintains a comfortable, heady lifestyle and when an unexpected financial benefit comes, he or she immediately splurges it — still continuing to borrow to pay his/her monthly rent.
“Fellow citizens, should Trinidad and Tobago pursue such an example?”
He said his Government has attempted to be financially prudent, performing a tight, day-to-day, balancing act in spending, because it has a full grasp on the realities facing this country.
Dr Rowley said, “Each member of my cabinet, I will also say, brings to our weekly meetings the real-life, daily experiences of those they serve, so collectively we are aware of the difficulties of the many thousands living on the marginal line.
“We are also aware of the larger, looming challenges facing the labour movement. Over the past decades, the digital revolution has been transforming the retail, media, entertainment, and advertising industries; in short, up-ending old business models and industries.”
He said the future was not all gloom.
Dr Rowley said, “The technological revolution, with its disruptive forces, is a global reality, closing familiar doors but at the same time new doors, and new possibilities are opening.
“Fellow citizens let us not dwell on or be overcome by our basket of passing difficulties. We are not alone. The whole world is facing this most difficult period.
“Our difficulty will only overcome us if we fail to see it for what it is and make long-term decisions on short-term illogic that defy our God-given talents.”
