Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is expected to attend today’s Labour Day celebrations by the All Trinidad General Workers’ Trade Union (ATGWTU) at Rienzi Complex, Couva, as her government moves to advance the workers’ agenda.
Although Persad-Bissessar was not present at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital, her press secretary, Francis Joseph, said she may be present at the ATGWTU’s Labour Day celebrations.
The majority of trade unions, however, will be in Fyzabad.
This is the first time Labour Day celebrations will be taking place in Couva, which ends at the Reinzi Complex, headquarters of the United National Congress.
Speaking at the briefing, Labour Minister Errol McLeod said the Government was ready to advance the labour agenda.
He added: “During discussions today in Cabinet, we agreed that having fulfilled our promise of transforming the environment for fairness in issues for terms and conditions of the work force we must now advance the labour agenda.”
McLeod boasted of the progress the People’s Partnership had made for the working class.
“Among the more substantial reforms successfully delivered are the 130 collective agreements, the majority of which were left in limbo by the former administration, and a fairer approach to enhance wages and salaries in line with existing market conditions,” he added.
He said Community-based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Company Limited (Cepep) workers would now be trained to meet labour shortages in critical industries.
“Advanced measures are now in place to deliver training for jobs to Cepep workers through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of T&T (Costaatt).
“In working to address critical labour shortages in critical industries, Cepep workers will now receive training and support in areas that are in high demand in the manufacturing sector,” he added.
He said through strides the Government had made in the labour relations, workers could now enjoy more benefits than before.
“The workers in T&T no longer have to wait for protracted periods for wage terms and salary increases. Now they are better skilled and have increased protection for their basic rights,” he added.
The next step, he said, was to advance the workers’ agenda.
“Now that we have completed these basic reforms, T&T is now ready to advance to another level of the labour sector to ensure all workers are protected, given opportunities to better their lives and so they can maximise their earnings with skills and support,” he noted.
He said he would address the nation through televised broadcasts throughout today.