ECA says labour impassse causing "productivity crisis", calls for regular tripartite talks

The chairman of the Employers' Consultative Association (ECA) chairman said Monday the planned protest action by the Public Services Association (PSA) Tuesday and the the ongoing trade dispute is creating a "productivity crisis" in Trinidad and Tobago.

And Ruben McSween told the Trinidad Express newspaper his organisation believes regular tripartite meetings involving the Government, the labour movement and the private sector would help ease the current impasse. "It may not resolve all the problems, but it would prevent further industrial unrest," he said.

McSween said employers, like the unions, have the workers best interest at heart. "If the businesses go under, who will suffer? The employees. It must go hand in hand; fair wages for fair productivity," he said, adding that "striking first could never be in the best interest of the workers or the country."

The ECA boss called on workers to ensure that productivity matches the increased minimum wage of $12.50 an hour that came into effect on Saturday.

"Right now, businessmen and manufacturers are suffering from that lack of productivity. Why aren't we talking about the level of service? The unions have to be reasonable," he said, noting that many local businesses are facing closure because they cannot compete in the global marketplace.