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New Year’s Message from CTUSAB
Delivered by Cedric Murrell, President
As we stand on the threshold of a new year, we should take the opportunity to reflect on the year that is behind us. While doing that, we must give thanks for the blessings that have been bestowed on us as a Nation.
On May Day 2011; we saw the signing of Protocol VI by the Social Partners. In that protocol the Social Partners committed themselves to collaborating to make Barbados a “Green Economy”, the #1 Entrepreneurial Hub by 2020, to improving productivity in the work place and to make Barbadian goods and services more competitive globally. None of these laudable goals can be realised without the significant and wholehearted contribution of the worker, and by worker we mean the managers also.
All of the predictions for 2012 point to a difficult year ahead with no significant improvement in the economies of the main markets for our products and services; indeed it is said that the USA and European economies will continue to be sluggish.
What does this mean for the worker in Barbados?
It means that growth in the economy will be marginal and that creative ways will have to be found to protect the standard of living of our people.
It is imperative therefore to develop and to make maximum use of the island's human resource, while creating systems at the enterprise level that would ensure greater efficiency and output.
It is expected that greater attention will be paid by government to the implementation of the recently approved Human Resource Development Policy. This is critical to the island’s growth and development, as it will lead to qualitative assessments of the island's manpower and training needs, and to identify and provide for the development of constructive human resource management systems.
In complementing this policy, it means that there must be a change in our attitude to work and of our work ethic. The recent NISE Employee Engagement Index Survey Results show that only 30 of every 100 employees are working at their full potential. In order for the level of productivity and efficiency in our economy to improve, a significant number of those 70 of every 100 employees who are not working up to their full potential will have to become fully engaged. This means going the extra mile and feeling a profound connection to their workplaces.
CTUSAB wishes to remind that the notion of employee engagement is not limited to definitive actions or inactions of employees, but stresses the need for employers to commit to treating workers with respect and dignity. This certainly can make a difference in promoting a higher level of employee engagement.
How else can this be achieved?
The process must begin by the setting of goals and targets by managers in conjunction with workers; there must be structured and regular reviews of those targets, all in an effort to promote efficiency and productivity. It is hoped that employers will be inclined to engage the services of NISE for the purposes of conducting staff training and in-house surveys.
As Barbados strives to be competitive, there is a need for monitoring and assessment to be an integral part of the workplace culture. It is important at this time, to undertake periodic measurement of the levels of customer service and satisfaction offered by both public sector organizations and private sectors enterprises.
The signals are that the Barbados economy is not expected to grow at any phenomenal rate in 2012. The indication by the private sector that more layoffs are likely should not escape our attention. Any downturn in the tourism sector stands to be exacerbated by the planned reduction of cruise ships calling at Barbados during the summer months. This is going to have a ripple effect in our economy. The labour movement therefore urges government and the private sector to work in partnership with us to stimulate new areas of business activity.
As we begin a new year, there is the need to move beyond paying lip service to the re-energizing of the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Barbados must work to reduce its food import bill. Sustained efforts should be directed at promoting and developing new areas of business within the manufacturing and agro industries sector. It must be recognized that these are both labour intensive and productive sectors which can help to reduce our revenue outflows and generate needed foreign exchange.
At a time when it is critical for Barbados to maintain high employment levels, and at the same time to reduce its foreign deficit, it is timely to appeal to Barbadians to recommit to buying local. This is important if Barbados is to sustain and improve on its level of employment.
Over the past two years public sector workers have not pressed for a new wages and salaries agreement. This is yet another demonstration of labour's commitment to working in the interest of Barbados. As the cost of living continues to rise, it is becoming increasingly difficult for public workers to hold the level of strain that they are exercising. The labour movement envisages that a new public sector wages and salaries agreement will be part of its agenda next year and therefore critically supports government's effort to reduce wastage and other cut backs in current and capital expenditure.
CTUSAB reminds the Government of the need for outstanding new labour legislation to be introduced into law. The Employment's Rights Bill, Sexual Harassment Act and Safety and Health at Work Act are all now long overdue. CTUSAB believes that if the demands of the decent work agenda is to be met, then these pieces of legislation must be placed on the statute books. The labour movement is therefore signalling to Government that it has basically grown weary of the promise to deliver on these crucial pieces of legislation.
It is also important to stress that the issue of a Minimum Wage is yet to be decided. CTUSAB will continue to pursue this, as it determines that it has a responsibility to safeguard the interest of all workers, especially those considered the most vulnerable.
In meeting the challenges of serving the workers of Barbados, CTUSAB appeals for the support of all Barbadians and pledges to continue to work with the Government and the Barbados Private Sector Association under the umbrella of the Social Partnership.
CTUSAB’s wish for Barbados and Barbadians is a Healthy, Productive and Prosperous 2012.
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