PM: Govt committed to collective bargaining

The Prime Minister also noted the subsequent clarification made by Imbert at a news conference at his ministry later that day to correct an erroneous CNC3 story which said he announced a wage freeze at the forum. Rowley explained that when Imbert spoke about restraint “it is exactly that.” He said by now all citizens must agree that “things are not what we would like them to be” in terms of the economy.

In this regard, he said, “It is not for the Government to panic the national community as we engage in treating with our circumstances.” However Rowley said the Government expects that all citizens will not conduct their business “in such a way that we are aiming to get more from less, if we understand that it is less that is available at this time.” The Prime Minister explained that as the country treats with its economic challenges, “the best way to do it is that we choose our own medicine.” He said that it is Government’s intention to do this “as against trying to preserve the status quo and end up as the lender of last resort (International Monetary Fund).” While he expressed confidence that the economic initiatives that Government is pursuing will bring improvements to the lives of citizens, Rowley said the Government has been cautioned against an approach to anticipate greater increases and improvements than the economy can handle. He said when economic improvements come, “the benefits must be shared by all.” He explained that even if the benefits to citizens are less than what “we have been accustomed to, there should be something to be had.” Rowley said this was why the Government launched the National Tripartite Advisory Council earlier this year and “we have no intention of throwing collective bargaining out the window.” The Prime Minister said in collective bargaining “there will be opening gambits and there will be conclusion of negotiations.” He added, “That is basically cast in stone.” Supporting Imbert’s comment that zero was the starting point for Government in these negotiations, Rowley said there is no zero-zero wage negotiations going on at this time involving employees of the State. He added the comment by Imbert was made in “a vacuum” and created a “speculative position” which certain segments of the media had fun with.

Asked to comment on Imbert’s remark about people not rioting as he disclosed considering a possible 15 percent fuel increase when he presents the Mid-Year Review in Parliament next April, Rowley said, “I don’t want to walk back for the Minister of Finance but simply want to confirm that it is not the policy or the intention of the Government of TT to measure the impact of its policies by public disorder in any form.”