Business backs OSHA

However, Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) president-general Errol McLeod said he could not support Manning’s announcement without knowing exactly what agreement was reached between Government and the National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) on OSHA on Tuesday.

At a joint news conference with the NATUC executive at Whitehall on Tuesday, the Prime Minister committed Government to passing an amended, implementable OSHA by February 17.

Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce president Rohan Roopnarine told Newsday that his organisation was "enthused" that agreement had been reached for the acceleration of OSHA’s implementation. He said while certain sections of the Act required amendment and could not be implemented right away, Tuesday’s announcement by Manning was "a good place to start." Roopnarine said it was important for all businesses in Trinidad and Tobago to embrace a culture of health and safety in the workplace and this culture may be alien to some local businesses. Employers Consultative Association (ECA) president Clarence Rambharat said the ECA has always been supportive of OSHA’s implementation and the business community has never been opposed to OSHA or an employee’s right to refuse to work.

He said the Industrial Relations Act (IRA) clearly spells out the conditions under which workers can legally strike and he hoped that OSHA would not bring any measure that would conflict with the provisions of the IRA. Rambharat said the regulatory agencies that would be created by OSHA should be the ones to determine whether workers’ refusal to work under certain conditions was justified and how it would affect the competitiveness of the business in question.

San Juan Business Association (SJBA) president Gail Merhair said the SJBA was happy that resolution had been reached on the implementation of OSHA. However, Merhair said there should be more regular tripartite talks between Government, the business community and the labour movement to ensure that matters such as OSHA are handled expeditiously and effectively. She added that the business community was not fearful of any additional costs that could result from the implementation of more health and safety measures in the work place and many SJBA members had been preparing for OSHA since 2004. "The business community does not see it (OSHA) as a hindrance. We are ready for it," Merhair declared.

TT Manufacturers Association president Paul Quesnel said he was aware that certain parts of OSHA needed to be amended and he preferred to adopt a wait and see approach on the matter.

Meanwhile, McLeod said Manning has not spoken to him about Tuesday’s agreement as yet. McLeod said until he meets with Manning on the matter, he could not say whether or not he supports the agreement to implement an amended OSHA by February 17.

McLeod is the head of NATUC’s labour rival, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions and Non-Governmental Organisations (FITUN).