PR – The Government of Grenada extends congratulations to the Grenada Trades’ Union Council (GTUC) and all its members, on the commemoration of Solidarity Week, under the theme: “Promoting Workers’ Unity, Consolidating & Advancing Gains in these Challenging Times.”
For over 100 years, trade unions have been part of the labour landscape in Grenada and have played a critical role in advancing the interests of the working class. Indeed, labour has historically provided a launchpad, from which several of our major political parties took flight.
As a government, therefore, we appreciate the need to work together with the trade union movement, in promoting our policies.
Even when it was difficult to arrange and secure dialogue with the unions, prior to June 23rd, we committed to the workers of Grenada to take certain steps in their interests immediately upon forming the government. In that regard, to date, we have so far:
- Paid workers’ salaries improperly docked in 2018.
- Set up and operationalised the Pension Secretariat, and are well on course to pay retroactive pensions by November 30th, 2022.
- Appointed and convened the Wages Advisory Committee, last convened eleven years ago under a previous NDC administration.
- Appointed and convened the Labour Advisory Board, which will give priority to recommendations for amendments to the Labour Code, that will benefit all workers.
Furthermore, we are pleased to have commenced the conversation on the need to regularise contract workers, not just in the public sector, but in the private sector as well, and we welcome the unions’ support in this regard.
We look forward to uniting heads and hands with the unions as we tackle the issue of pension reform. My government is confident that, working with the unions, we will find a solution that serves the interest of all workers, the wider community, and the economy in the long term.
My government is committed to the transformation agenda on which we were elected. However, we recognise that unity between government and the labour movement is critical to achieving the success we all wish for.
As we navigate these challenging times where the global situation remains uncertain and indeed volatile, we must keep in mind that we are strongest and most resilient when we unite.
To enhance the labour climate for all workers, and in so doing, lift the quality of life for our people, government and unions must work in solidarity with each other. Government and unions must recognise that we share constituents, and our respective agendas will be best served if we work together in good faith and in a spirit of mutual co-operation and respect.
My government, in these early days, has clearly demonstrated that it has the best interest of all workers at heart, given the steps we have taken so far. We intend to move forward in this vein, expecting full co-operation, support and solidarity from our brothers and sisters in the trade union movement, as together, we move Grenada forward.
Once again, on behalf of my colleagues in government and on my own behalf, I wish all workers and unions a successful and enjoyable solidarity week.
