T&T’s risk profile would have gone up as a result of last Friday’s Joint Trade Union Movement “rumbling”, says former Energy Minister Conrad Enill who’s urged Government to strengthen industrial relations with unions.
“Two areas T&T’s been known for is the sanctity of Government honouring contracts and T&T’s stable industrial relations environment. How last week’s, JTUM declarations may be interpreted by external parties and if this impacts negatively, it’ll add to T&T’s risk profile especially when neighbouring Guyana and Suriname are open for business,” Enill said.
Enill was commenting on last week’s rumblings by JTUM.
Demonstrating outside of the Prime Minister’s office, JTUM leader Ancel Roget warned of union mobilisation for protests ahead. He accused Government of poor governance, saying workers are being treated with disrespect. He said JTUM was prepared to “shake up the blasted place.”
Demanding safety including for energy sector workers - who’ve experienced issues recently - Roget warned companies like BP and other companies who may default on safety procedures to,”Take your rig and go.”
Roget said JTUM dropped out of the National Tripartite Advisory Council (NTAC) as it was a sham.
But Enill said Government should make an effort to get NTAC going again with unions.
“After JTUM’s demonstration, investors will have to determine if the environment allows them to get things done. Therefore Government should convene a meeting with stakeholders and work out whatever issues exist because T&T doesn’t benefit from a situation where economic activity is already subsiding and you’re now creating the circumstances whereby it could worsen.”
“The energy sector has a good safety record, but if for instance unions are raising legitimate issues, these should be addressed. We have to protect jobs which represent families. One must ensure people don’t go through hardship in difficult times and any statement that increases that, you have to manage aggressively - you can’t allow jobs to be jeopardised.”
Enill stressed industrial relations is always an issue that must be managed and Government has a responsibility to create the appropriate environment for investment.
“That means workers’ safety must be paramount. There are rules governing this. Moreso, the ability for companies to be able to depend on labour is also important. Therefore Government must be the arbiter and ensure things work via the NTAC.”
Enill said it was imperative the situation be worked out since T&T also needs a different approach for the energy sector because T&T wasn’t the only player there.
Opposition MP Rudy Indarsingh said Roget’s statements will have tremendous implications concerning perception of T&T’s productivity levels.
“So what is Prime Minister Keith Rowley doing about this? Mr Roget must understand he must balance his members’ interests against national interests and what must be done to ensure the energy sector’s survival.”
“We’re not competing against Caribbean islands, but globally. While the union must ensure terms and conditions of employment, they must be prepared to access avenues established under the Industrial Relations Act.”
Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon declined comment on how JTUM’s threats might affect T&T’s image as an investment location. Last week after BP’s plan to fabricate the Angelin platform elsewhere, Gopee-Scoon spoke twice about T&T’s attractiveness as an investment location. But yesterday she referred queries on T&T’s attractiveness to Labour, Energy and ministers in the Office of the Prime Minister. None of them answered calls yesterday.
