CWU calls on country to reject austerity measures

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) is calling on citizens to reject Government’s proposal to implement austerity measures, which it expects to be announced in this month’s national budget, saying they are intended to impose strict measures on the labour force. The union believes such an act would negatively affect citizens’ ability to survive through difficult economic times.

In a press release, the general secretary of the union John Julien said, “We have noted the veiled statements by the Honourable Minister of Finance soon after meeting with officials of the IMF, that austerity measures will be announced in the budget for the fiscal year 2012- 2013. “What this suggests is that this Government intends to implement strict measures, mainly against workers and ordinary citizens, to bring expenditure in line with revenue by instituting cuts and tax increases.”

John said in this light citizens should “reject and condemn” the measures, having been called upon many times before to tighten their belts. He called on unions to mobilise and engage in protest action, to show Government their discontent with what he called anti-worker policies.

“The Communication Workers Union as a progressive working class organisation, says no to any austerity measures that would negatively impact on the ability of working people, the unemployed, poor and ordinary citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to survive in this challenging economic environment. “And the People’s Partnership policy of privatisation which has as its targets, state entities such as TSTT, Petrotrin, Trinmar Operations and First Citizens Bank,” Julien said.