Rambachan says PM's offer to meet labour leaders shows government's flexibility

Communications Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan said on Wednesday the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has demonstrated that it is willing to be flexible in meeting labour leaders.

Rambachan made the point in an interview on state television, CNMG.

He noted the letter sent by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar this week inviting the trade union leaders to meet with her next Tuesday.

He said her willingness to meet with them must not be misconstrued as anything but a desire for achieving mutual understanding on the issues.

"She makes it clear I am not the negotiator, I cannot be the negotiator. I cannot compromise the negotiation process," Rambachan said.

He added, "This is a free process of collective bargaining that must be respected, where both parties will sit at the table, the CPO and the trade unions, but I respect you as trade unions, I respect your role and therefore I am saying to you, this is Prime Minister, let us meet in that spirit and let us talk about the issues."

The minister said the Prime Minister has shown that she respects the trade unions.

Rambachan said any national strike could hurt the economy at a time when there is increasing interest by foreign investors and Governments in the local economy.

"It is not just about the Government being disrupted. When there is a disruption in the country, the entire country loses and in T&T we are arriving at the age of maturity.

"We will be 50 years old very soon. We have to make an instantaneous leap to approach things from the position of how will what I say, how will what I do affect the national interest."