NATUC plans hunger march to press demands for better pay

The National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) is calling upon all trade unionists and civil society groups to take part in its “hunger march” on Saturday from Aranguez Savannah to Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain.

The demonstration is to protest government's offer of a five per cent pay increase over three years for monthly paid public sector workers and daily rated workers.

NATUC President Michael Annisette told the Trinidad Guardian unions are disappointed with the Government’s offer. "This does nothing to address the inflation rate and how it affects workers’ purchasing power,” he said.

“Over the past few years we have seen collective agreements in the private sector settled in the areas of between 12 per cent to 19 per cent. This will only exacerbate the wage disparity between the two sectors if public sector employees’ wages remain where they are,” he said.

Annisette said the Government needs a well-paid and highly motivated workforce in oder to become more efficient in providing goods and services to its citizens.

“If workers’ salaries aren’t raised then the economy will contract. When workers have the money to purchase goods and services it helps to expand and stimulate the economy,” he said.  

Annisette said as the largest employer in the country the government must act in "a responsible and equitable manner".

The government has said it cannot afford to pay what the Public Services Association is demanding.

Finance Minister Winston Dookeran has stated that Government’s latest compensation package offer to all public servants throughout the entire public sector would cost $1.25 billion, in addition to cost for allowances of $761 million for 2011.

Dookeran said the wage bill for the public sector would be approximately $8 billion annually representing 19 per cent of the country’s gross revenue.