Sabga says labour threat ‘disturbing’

Dr Anthony Sabga, issued a call on Saturday for the creation of a climate of harmony between labour, Government and business.

Addressing the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s (CCIC) annual Christmas dinner and awards function at Centre Pointe Mall, chairman emeritus of the Ansa McAl Group of Companies, Sabga warned that a national shutdown would affect everyone, including the unions themselves.

He said, “The threats from the labour unions to shut down the country are very disturbing. In acting this way, unions are hurting themselves, their members and the country.

“Chambers of commerce and right-thinking people should ask themselves — should one organisation have the power to shut down a refinery — an essential industry? Should a small group of people have the right to ruin the country? Because that is what a shutdown would mean.”

During a mass demonstration in Port-of-Spain on Friday, members of the Joint Trade Union Movement threatened that January 2012 would be the “hottest month” the nation had ever experienced. The country should expect a series of public demonstrations which would culminate in a general strike, the respective union leaders echoed.

Sabga told a large contingent of business executives that they live and operate in a frail economic environment, and the relationship between unions and government, must be revisited.

Sabga said, “As long as we continue to think of “them” and “us”, we will have these problems. Chambers of Commerce and business associations can play a role in mediating a harmonious relationship between labour, Government and business. There must be a rational discussion in which parties must be honest. Threats of hostility create the conditions under which entrepreneurship cannot flourish.”

He called on the labour movement to consider what he described as the “long view”, rather than short-term benefits for workers. Sabga said, “Today we hear the talk of shutdowns and mass strikes from the unions. But I think workers see and understand this better than their unions. What I see and hear in these threats of shutdowns, is a sense of desperation. We are all in this together. No group can suffer while the other prospers.”

Meanwhile, CCIC’s president, Zamanath Ali, described 2011 as the year in which the global economic crisis directly affected Trinidad and Tobago. But despite this, businesses had proven to be very resilient, especially during the recently concluded state of emergency in the country, which affected business activity.

Ali reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure the transition of Chaguanas, from a borough, to city status.

Presentation College student, Shastri Ram, who was one of two students to receive the 2011 President Medal, was presented by the Chamber with an award for excellence in education.