The Employers' Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA) issued a media release Wednesday in which it said the police sickout was illegal, citing Section 67 (2) of the Industrial Relations Act.
ECA chairman Ruben McSween said the act states: "An employer or a worker carrying on or engaged in an essential service shall not take industrial action in connection with any such essential service. The term 'worker' shall be read as a reference to all employees engaged in the essential services".
He added that the sickout action is prohibited in law and also posed a great risk to national security, "especially during this period in our history where crime has escalated to an unbearable level, and consequently its economic stability and regional and international standing".
McSween said given the current state of the economy, the association does not believe the Government is in a position to grant the 40 per cent increase that the police are demanding.
"We expect officers to negotiate in good faith and continue to work towards an amicable resolution with the Chief Personnel Officer. Officers have already obtained a tax-free allowance of $1,000 which, in some cases, represents an increase in salaries of 17 per cent," he said.
McSween also urged the Government to give top priority to the issue to bring about a successful resolution to the matter.
And the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce has also called on police to show a stronger sense of responsibility and to "let good sense prevail" by desisting from taking further action.
"With Carnival less than three weeks away and international visitors already arriving on our shores, we are deeply concerned that any decrease in the presence of law enforcement will result in a risk to public safety, and ultimately investor confidence," the Chamber said in a release.
"In the current national climate where the crime rate continues to escalate alarmingly, the Chamber appeals to all parties to put the national interest in the forefront and seek early resolution to all outstanding issues in a mature and responsible manner."
ECA chairman Ruben McSween said the act states: "An employer or a worker carrying on or engaged in an essential service shall not take industrial action in connection with any such essential service. The term 'worker' shall be read as a reference to all employees engaged in the essential services".
He added that the sickout action is prohibited in law and also posed a great risk to national security, "especially during this period in our history where crime has escalated to an unbearable level, and consequently its economic stability and regional and international standing".
McSween said given the current state of the economy, the association does not believe the Government is in a position to grant the 40 per cent increase that the police are demanding.
"We expect officers to negotiate in good faith and continue to work towards an amicable resolution with the Chief Personnel Officer. Officers have already obtained a tax-free allowance of $1,000 which, in some cases, represents an increase in salaries of 17 per cent," he said.
McSween also urged the Government to give top priority to the issue to bring about a successful resolution to the matter.
And the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce has also called on police to show a stronger sense of responsibility and to "let good sense prevail" by desisting from taking further action.
"With Carnival less than three weeks away and international visitors already arriving on our shores, we are deeply concerned that any decrease in the presence of law enforcement will result in a risk to public safety, and ultimately investor confidence," the Chamber said in a release.
"In the current national climate where the crime rate continues to escalate alarmingly, the Chamber appeals to all parties to put the national interest in the forefront and seek early resolution to all outstanding issues in a mature and responsible manner."
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