The T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce is urging the trade union movement not to circumvent but follow the bargaining process to its full extent in accordance with the laws of T&T. In an statement, the chamber expressed its faith in Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's statement there was no five per cent wage cap and had urged unions to "take her at her word."
The chamber said both the trade union movement and Government should use the opportunity of the true bargaining process according to the laws set out in the Industrial Relations Act. It said following through with the bargaining process allowed for a more amicable, objective and less disruptive solution to wage negotiations.
The chamber said as long as the present situation between Government and unions continued, "the economic stability, productivity and investment in this country will continue to be uncertain in a period of little growth." It said it was its opinion it was in the best interest of Government and the unions to follow through with the already started bargaining process to its full extent.