James Lambert: NATUC not expecting many price increases

He said crime has escalated to a level where it is simply uncontrollable and when poverty prevails even more than it now does, “we all know that it is the poor man that suffers more. From the time you start raising gas, you start changing this and that, it impacts on the entire situation, because you have to go to the grocery, you have to buy this, you have to buy that.” He said NATUC is not expecting that there will be many increases, although there are certain costs that the government will have to increase because it must have tax revenues to run the country. “In light of that there are certain items that they will look into but the raising of the prices of items, which will have a direct impact on the livelihood of the poor man. That is one of the things that Minister Imbert has to take into consideration,” he said.

Lambert was speaking with Business Day on September 21, in advance of consultations between Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and two of the country’s major labour federations: the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) and NATUC at the Prime Minister’s Office, St Clair Avenue, Port-of-Spain. He said it was the second time the federations were meeting with the Prime Minister.

In response to a question from Business Day about promises to do away with the use of contract labour in the country, Lambert said he did not believe that sufficient work is being done by Labour Minister, Jennifer Baptiste-Primus as a past labour leader relating to labour issues. “Because the first thing, as it happened with Errol McLeod, we were of the view that the Industrial Relations Act (IRA) would have been amended.

There are certain clauses and aspects of the IRA, if it is not amended it’s a waste of time.” On contract labour, he said that the labour movement is aware that in every country there are certain aspects of the workforce which has to be contracted because the workforce, manpower and equipment necessary may not be available. “But… the Prime Minister had indicated earlier in his discourse that contract labour is something that they would want to get rid of. Too many jobs in the public service are being sent and given to contract labour. All of us (are) aware when jobs and work is being contracted, who benefits? The contractor – because his whole idea is to maximise as much profit as possible and in light of that we are not supporting contract labour.” Lambert said NATUC was also concerned about the worsening crime situation and wanted an update on the discussions on this issue held between the Government and the Opposition.

In respect of his own union, the NUGFW, Lambert said while it was not looking for any great set of wage increases for its members, the social aspect of the negotiations had to be considered. “For example, there is a disparity in pensions as it relates to daily rated workers in the public sector.

There are certain categories of daily rated workers that are receiving pensions at the end of their working life, but central and local government, the Tobago House of Assembly; the Regional Health Authorities; are not receiving pensions. The functions are the same.

So we are of the view that the time has come and it will also assist with the economy of the country that the government must take into consideration very seriously making daily rated workers in the public sector pensionable.”