Charles blames Govt for India High Commission strike

This strike was first reported by Newday on Saturday saying the staff, who largely work in the mission’s registry and reception, and as drivers, cleaners and gardeners, were upset at the lack of any pay-raise since 2011.

Charles said the strike shows the ineptitude of the Dr Keith Rowley-led Government that he alleged does not realise that it is now in charge and must govern effectively.

He accused the Government of “incompetence, ineptitude, abdicating responsibility and lack of foresight and planning” to deal with many burning issues plaguing our country including foreign affairs.

“Instead of taking yet another unearned vacation in Barbados, Dr Rowley should be dealing frontally with the plethora of issues facing our country including a strike by Indian nationals at our New Delhi High Commission.

“This will severely limit our mission in carrying out its function of promoting trade, investments, tourism and protecting our interests not only to India but all other nations served from New Delhi, like Japan and Singapore.” Charles said since last week Monday, 11 employees have refused to report for duty because of a dispute over wages.

“Do not wait for another strike to occur at our missions. These strikes, along with negative visitor advisories, continued reports of crime and terrorist activity in our country and frequent downgrades by ranking bodies, continue to wreak havoc on our image abroad.” Saying the former People’s Partnership (PP) regime was not to blame, Charles said, “The PP government was aware of salary concerns but had taken the position that salary negotiations with home based foreign service officers and IROs employed in our missions had to be concluded first. One could not prioritise foreign nationals over our citizens as far as wage negotiations were concerned.” He said Public Service negotiations were only settled in 2015 after which the next step should have been to settle negotiations with foreign staff.

“The PNM won the elections in 2015, dropped the ball and this strike action took place. Others are likely to follow.” Charles listed other items of alleged incompetence by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dennis Moses.

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Charles alleged, “Under the leadership of Dennis Moses, the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs is failing to meet its mandate and this incompetence is doing irreparable damage to our international image.” Moses, when contacted by Newsday laughed, thanked Newsday for calling, declined to comment, wished Newsday a pleasant afternoon and said goodbye.