10% Wage Promise, Staffing Issues Under The Spotlight Ahead Of 2025/26 Budget
« Crime and the economy need to be addressed collectively. »
This is according to the Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh, who assured trade unionists that the government is working towards addressing some of the key issues affecting workers.
Members of the trade union movement had the opportunity to raise their concerns and outlook for the upcoming 2025/26 budget in a joint consultation with key government leaders.
Wages, health and safety, along with understaffing, were among the issues raised.
President of the Public Services Association (PSA), Felisha Thomas, called on the government to honour the 10% wage offer.
« As I’ve said in the past, and I’ll continue to say, we look forward to no later than this budget, September/October, where workers can finally see that 10% offer placed on the table so that we could recommence negotiations at 10%. »
Minister Swaratsingh addressed the concerns raised by the PSA President, affirming the government’s commitment to delivering what was promised.
« Everything we put into the budget, we intend to deliver, in the way in which we put it, in the manner in which we put it, and to everything we subscribe to in that budget. So it is the intention of the Honourable Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance to fulfil our promise for that payment for the collective bargain 2014 and 17 to 19. So rest assured that we are working extremely hard to make sure and to have that done. »
Ms. Thomas further highlighted the need for stronger health and safety measures in workplaces, along with action to address staffing challenges.
« Health and safety, another big issue, and not just health and safety from the perspective of the personal protective gear, but also the work environment. We would like to see the budget cater for improvement in those areas. Staffing: all organisations across Trinidad and Tobago are severely understaffed, and we would like to see, while we have heard the Prime Minister made the announcement, that the instruction is given to fill all vacancies throughout all Ministries. We are therefore looking forward to seeing the budget put forward something that caters for that staffing arrangement. »
Minister Swaratsingh assured workers that these matters will be addressed in the upcoming budget, noting that staffing concerns are being addressed as mandated by the Prime Minister.
