Just a week before he presents the national budget, Finance Minister Colm Imbert will meet with officials of the National Trade Union Centre (Natuc) today to hear their recommendations on the fiscal package.
Natuc general secretary Michael Annisette said he hoped the minister’s response to the labour body’s request for a meeting is “an indication that he wishes labour to be an integral partner with respect to any discussions and proposals which may take place regarding the country’s economic growth and progression.”
Commenting on the group’s budget recommendations, Annisette said Government could also encourage and facilitate entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency by allocating work packages in contracts to companies formed by Trade union and also provide incentives that encourage trade union investment.
“We in Natuc therefore call on the Government to make every effort to settle all outstanding negotiations in the public sector and to conclude, without delay, the pension plan for daily rated workers. We further renew our call for a complete revamping of the negotiation process for the public sector to ensure that all collective agreements are completed before the period of the collective agreement expires,” he said
“Natuc will continue to be guided by its tried and tested principle to work with any government that is in power on the basis of mutual respect and in the best interest of our members and the working class. At the end of the day our objective is that all should enjoy a decent standard of living and have the opportunity to earn a living wage, which will enable all to put their best foot forward for the common good of a brighter and more productive Trinidad and Tobago.”