The Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU) expects Finance Minister Colm Imbert to introduce austerity measures in the upcoming budget.
Speaking following the opening of the Industrial Court’s 2023 to 2024 law term yesterday, OWTU President General Ancel Roget warned citizens to brace for more taxes.
“We expect more pressure, more problems, more suffering to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, property tax and so on, increased retirement age, increased fuel price, we expect all of those things,” he said.
Roget also lamented the Government’s failure to reduce the cost of fuel when global energy prices fell. He said this would have increased the amount of disposable income in citizens’ pockets.
“As the price of oil fell, what should have happened is that the price of fuel at the pumps should have fallen because that is how it operates in jurisdictions that the Minister of Finance pointed us to as justification for raising the price of fuel. But not so in sweet Trinidad and Tobago under Imbert,” he said.
Roget said the union stands behind its unsolicited bid to acquire the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery backed by 100 per cent financing and a trained workforce. He was responding to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley who, at the post-Cabinet media conference last Thursday, said there was no feasible offer.
Roget blamed this refusal to accept its offer for the shortage in foreign exchange.
“We are in a situation now with a shortage, a very, very chronic shortage of foreign exchange, and that is as a result of us not earning forex because we do not have a refinery to sell products on the foreign market. Instead, we have to use our scarce foreign exchange to purchase products and sell back here for Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.
The OWTU leader went on to imply that the population would voice their dissatisfaction at the polls which will be held by 2025.
“It is when the workers recognise their worth, everything will change in this country and that is coming soon,” he said.
‘No relief’
The Communications Workers Union (CWU) does not expect the population to get any relief once the budget is read. Secretary General Clyde Elder said citizens might be forced to once again tighten their belts.
“This budget is not going to be a worker-friendly budget, simply because there is still at least one or two more budgets before the election. So, this budget, I expect, is going to be a more tough budget than the last year may be,” he said.
Elder hopes the Government prioritises health care, roads, security, and education. He also urged Imbert to increase the minimum wage, which currently stands at $17.50.
General Secretary of the National Trade Union Centre of Trinidad and Tobago (NATUC) Michael Annisette said he doubted there would be any consideration of its “critical proposals” in the budget.
He said he “has an issue with budgets” after previously making recommendations for employment generation, diversification of the economy, and developing the maritime sector, all of which have not been implemented.
“Why should I go to discuss a budget if the Government, while they talk about consultation, is not genuine in the sense that they have a fixation in terms of where they want to go and I haven’t seen anyone being able to change their thinking and their minds,” he said.
Annisette said the budget should be people-centred with attention placed on reducing poverty, income inequality, and wealth inequality.
He once again denounced the proposal for a four per cent wage increase for public sector employees over four years.
“I will continue to say no to the four per cent over four years because it does not address the social issues and the financial issues that are affecting government employees in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.
Annisette stated that the government should reconsider that position since the private sector offered around ten per cent over the same period.