Sabga tells unions shutting down the country is not productive

Anthony Sabga has expressed deep concern about the actions of trade unions in Trinidad & Tobago in threatening to shut down the country.

The chairman emeritus of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies was speaking in Chaguanas on Saturday at the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce annual Christmas dinner and awards function at Centre Pointe Mall.

"In acting this way, unions are hurting themselves, their members and the country," Sabga said.

He added, "Chambers of commerce and right-thinking people should ask themselves: should one organisation have the power to shut down a refinery - an essential industry? 

"Should a small group of people have the right to ruin the country? Because that is what a shutdown would mean. What I see and hear in these threats of shutdown is a sense of desperation. This is thinking that is outdated and which would harm the entire country," Sabga declared.

The Joint Trade Union Movement held a protest march in Port of spainb on Friday and has threatened more action in its moved to "shut down" the country.

The president of the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union (OWTU) Ancil Roget has said unions will turn up the heat in january to press for the removal of the five per cent wage cap.

Sabga said this attitude is wrong, pointing out the situation in Greece where national strikes paralysed the country and led to the resignation of its Prime Minister in November.

He noted that the new government was powerless to make any changes becasue it had to deal with the same economic reality as the one that was in place before.

Sabga said a shutdown is the wrong way to go because entrepreneurship cannot flourish in an environment of such hostility. 

"Unions ought to consider the long view rather than the short one. Their employer and government should also realign their thinking to understand one crucial fact: we are all in this together. Whatever course of action the unions instruct their members to take will affect everyone," he said

"It is more important now than ever to create a climate of harmony between labour, government and businesses," Sabga suggested.

"Chamber of commerce and business associations can play a role in mediating a harmonious relationship between labour, government and business. There must be a rationale discussion, all parties must be honest," added Sabga.

He had a question for the unions. "How can you justify increases without productivity? Money is important but individuals with the biggest plans and unlimited money who are not motivated will achieve nothing."