Once again T&T is stricken with another batch of fools who cannot sit around a table and come to a compromise . It doesn't matter how educated or accomplished these fools are - Knowledge is not wisdom. If they cannot put aside their egos for 5 minutes to listen to someone else they cannot lead.
All the government has to do is find a creative way to give the trade unions what they want . The unions have genuine greivances - the economy is in a mess and it is the State's job to fix it. The unions also have to understand that the government is bound by its fiscal situation and cannot give them exactly as they demand- but they can reach a compromise.
My solution to the whole crisis is simply this : If the unions ask for a 15% wage increase , give them 20%. But give it to them in untouchable government bonds , stocks and investments not cash.
The simple problem is that T&T politics is built around a system of dependency which was created by slavery , indentureship and colonialism. When the government does hand out money many people use it to buy cars , expensive shoes and alcohol : Not invest in businesses ,education and houses like they should.
So the solution is to break the cycle of dependancy by handing out investments , not cash. The state owns Petrotrin , half of CLICO , massive shares in Republic bank , T&TEC, TSTT etc. These are all assets that could be leverage creatively.
Plus Treasury bonds that the central bank can print at a whim i believe - offer packages with stocks and bonds to all unionized workers , they will collect dividends and have something to retire on in the future. Give them a small increase in the wages as well to appease them and put liquidity into the economy .
If anyone remembers England during the Thatcher years - that is a mess that can easily happen in Trinidad and Tobago if this crisis is not averted. And its EASY to avert the crisis . Negotiate creatively , there is always a solution that lets all sides win.
TCL attempted that strategy by giving workers shares in the company. They turned it down. and we now see the result.
ReplyDeleteProblem is too the unions are also headed by idiots with an agenda for power and control and not the best interest of the people. I havent followed up the story because it is simply too much nonsense to comprehend , so as i do with all things i break it down to the basic principles :
DeleteAnimal farm and George Orwell's 1984 is the bible of political science.
Every revolution has to happen because pigs get into power and serve themselves instead of the masses. Pigs always get into power eventually, its an eternal cycle.
The entire war in Syria is because 1 rich fat Pig doesn't want to give up power.
Same principle applies to the Government and the trade unions. I'm still fond of Kamla , but she takes her advice from pigs.
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