Joseph Remy, president of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions (Fitun), is hoping that the labour movement influences the agenda of the main political parties during the election campaign. “The People’s Partnership government betrayed the labour movement by not keeping its promises of the labour agenda outlined in their manifesto,” he told the Guardian in a telephone interview yesterday.
“The theme for this year’s Labour Day celebration is ‘betrayal of workers and country.’ We are waiting to see what the political parties say this time and we will be lobbying them on the campaign trail.” Last Friday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced September 7 as the date for the general election.
Remy said the Industrial Relations Act is “outdated.” He said the government’s introduction of the Industrial Relations Bill of 2015 was a “cosmetic” attempt that would not fundamentally change the industrial relations landscape. “With this proposed legislation they are just engendering conflict. This bill is hypocritical as the Government has not kept any of its promises to the labour movement.” He also said whoever forms the next government must begin to diversify the economy.
“We want to see a genuine change in the economic policy of the country. Right now there is a total dependence on oil revenue and that must change. What is the government’s position on the telecommunications sector? This is important in diversifying the economy,” he said. He also said campaign finance reform is important as wealth holders fund political parties and then expect favours in return.
“I have heard the Prime Minister mention campaign finance reform but I think it is hypocritical as they have not done anything substantial to change this. This needs to changed,” he said. Watson Duke, president of the Public Services’ Association (PSA), who launched his campaign for Tobago East in May as an independent candidate, vows to defend the labour movement’s interest if elected as that consistency’s MP.
He said under PSA’s constitution, he is allowed to keep his union post and still run for political office. “I intend to make things happen for the labour movement when I am elected. “I know this is going to be my election,” he told the Guardian by phone yesterday. He also said he has a lot of plans in store for Tobago East if he is elected. “I want to see better communities, I intend to provide sustainable jobs and make people’s lives better.”
Duke said there are some political parties who think that they own Tobago but the people of Tobago East will speak at the voting booth by voting for him. “My support from them has been overwhelming. I am the person of choice for Tobago East,” he said.