COVID being used to undermine the Trade Union Movement

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One Caribbean Nation.



Within our region, the advent of COVID has given unscrupulous employers the greenlight to further emasculate the workers movement. Keen observers suggest that the trade unions are being systematically marginalized. While we expect such efforts from the private sectors; it appears that the public sector because of failing revenues, may have no choice and some countries are already finding difficulties in meeting public sector wages.

We opine that the road ahead for all regional economies, will be fraught with almost insurmountable challenges. We remain concerned that too many economies are anchored by tourism and any further local, regional, or international shocks, to this industry, will certainly throw us into more socio-economic peril.

A one-dimensional economy, limits employment opportunities and the concomitant unemployment, leads to decreases in the union membership thereby making workers targets of   anti-worker machinations. To avoid the destruction of the working class, regional economies must swiftly begin a radical program of economic reform and governance. We need policies that envisage where the region will be in fifty years.

Unless this is achieved, we fear that trade unions and workers in general, would be put in further social and economic jeopardy.

 


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