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“[…] The Cabinet has adopted the same arguments advanced by trade unionists in support of their claims for hefty increases in the remuneration packages of their members.
“The SRC surveyed the local, regional and international environment and discovered that the remuneration packages of those under its purview were wholly inadequate by comparison. However, the same can be said regarding the other public sector employees who are represented by trade unions…”
The following Letter to the Editor on the Government’s acceptance of proposed salary increases was submitted to Wired868 by Louis Williams of St Augustine:
Photo: Office of the Parliament 2024
I do not understand how intelligent men and women could sit in Cabinet and take such a wholly irrational decision to accept and implement the recommendations of the SRC. What absurdity!
The Cabinet is behaving just like some of our irresponsible and anachronistic trade unionists. The Cabinet has adopted the same arguments advanced by trade unionists in support of their claims for hefty increases in the remuneration packages of their members.
The SRC surveyed the local, regional and international environment and discovered that the remuneration packages of those under its purview were wholly inadequate by comparison.
(Copyright OWTU)
However, the same can be said regarding the other public sector employees who are represented by trade unions. For instance, comparative work in the local private sector would attract, often enough, twice what is paid in the Public Service.
The problem is that given our country’s current economic and financial situation, the country cannot afford to match what is paid elsewhere for similar work or work of equal value.
The Finance Minister, quite correctly, has been consistently asking for restraint by the trade unionists given our current financial and economic predicament. Four percent (4%) has been the consistent offer.
The Government has now lost the moral authority to seek restraint from the trade unionists.
Photo: Office of the Prime Minister
Quite frankly, the ordinary worker has a greater claim for a more substantial increase. Many such persons are having difficulty providing their basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. The same cannot be said for those who fall under the purview of the SRC.
The Cabinet must set the right example. Its membership must demonstrate astute leadership and accept no more than the 4% that it is asking the working class to accept.
The PNM party groups and its general council must agitate for a reversal of this horrendous decision. The PNM cannot win the next general elections if the SRC recommendations are implemented.
The Cabinet has demonstrated that it is totally out of touch with the reality on the ground. That decision is a total disrespect to the general populace.
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I think you might find the following a useful exercise.
Taking the answer to the last question to be yes, ask yourself this important question: what should we as a country do about it?
And then follow through with the questions that naturally follow.
We are witnessing a level of ignorance that is stunning to say the least. Is this what they call Harikari? Who are their advisors, are they that tone deaf to what is going on in this country?