Labour

This last week, those of us who follow cricket witnessed a South African batsman and stand-in captain refuse to chase Brian Lara’s world record. Wiaan Mulder was batting against Zimbabwe, a much weaker side. He explained his decision in these words: “Lara got 401 or whatever it is (400) against …

The recent article by Ashton Ford, former general secretary of the People’s National Movement (PNM), attempts to paint the PNM as a historic champion of labour. While it’s true the party has had moments of engagement with trade unionists and enacted key legislation decades ago, this selective retelling overlooks the …

“[…] Cepep was designed as a springboard—a transitional system for those facing barriers to employment, a way to build dignity through work and community care and structured training. “[…] Eventually, somewhere along the journey, the programme drifted… This drift turned Cepep into a make-work programme that, while providing some income …

It is usual for all attention to be put on Tubal Uriah Butler on Labour Day. This year, however, my thoughts were on CLR James, who is arguably our outstanding contribution to political philosophy. In 1962, he wrote an insightful piece called Party Politics in the West Indies, in which …

“[…] The 10 years under the Dr Keith Rowley-led PNM saw a vicious attack on the trade union movement and the working class as that government pursued its neo-liberal policies that result in the rich becoming richer, the middle-income struggle to make ends meet, and the poor not able to …

“[…] This development raises once again the need for constitutional reform to put the necessary mechanisms in place to prevent issues like these from raising their heads and creating doubt in the minds of ordinary citizens about whether decisions being made are really honourable. “Surely, recommendations for your own salary …

The autocratic nature of our politics is most memorably captured in the sordid 1962 episode featuring Dr Patrick Solomon, minister of Home Affairs in the People’s National Movement (PNM) government—with responsibility for the police service. His stepson was arrested and incarcerated for throwing missiles in a public space. Solomon allegedly …

“[…] What do the employers and the one percent want? The objective is to maximise their profits by minimising their labour costs; by demoralising their workforce through retrenchment, wage suppression and the cutting back of hard-won benefits. “[…] Ninety percent or more of the matters that are decided in the Industrial …

I am sure you would remember this truism: “Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder!” I accepted this aphorism as a means of teaching that persons could have divergent views about the same incident. Professor Richard Drayton at King’s College, London, in 2011, wrote: “History is not merely reflection; …

Our teachers’ day of ‘rest and reflection’ is entirely unsurprising. It is the natural outcome of events that began in the 1980s. The chickens have come home to roost. But even now, we, the society, are unprepared to confront the significant issues. We are stuck at “we want we money now”!  …

“[…] The number one roadblock is trust… Innovation presents a challenge to the status quo. Without trust, there can be no support for this kind of change.  “The ‘command and control’ model, used in private and public sector entities, does not lend itself to innovation. We must allow broader participation …

“[…] One year later, the 1995 minimum wage order removed the provisions for sick leave, vacation leave and the provision of uniforms that the 1994 order contained [for security workers]. “[…] Due to this removal, security companies are denying their employees the benefits of sick leave and vacation leave that …