The government remains optimistic that a series of meetings with Trade Union representatives and members of the Public Sector will end satisfactorily for all parties involved.
This forms part of Government’s thrust to resolve and remedy issues with Unions for better working relations.
On Wednesday, 20 January, former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Timothy Antoine, met with the delegation. He told GIS that 4 issues are on the agenda for discussion: payments of increments, salary negotiation, Public Sector modernization, and pension reform. He anticipates a fruitful discussion.
“What we anticipate is an understanding among ourselves about how we are going to work together on those 4 issues over the next few weeks and months, to ensure that we deliver on our commitments to the workers of Grenada and, of course, our public servants,” Mr Antoine said.
“We look forward to working closely with our union partners as we have done throughout the Homegrown Program. Every step of the way we have worked together, and where we had challenges, we sat down together around the table and resolved them, and the expectation is that we agree on a process and a timetable to address these particular issues,” said the Permanent Secretary.
According to Antoine, the Government will be guided by the Fiscal Responsibility Legislation in remedying these issues.
“Government is committed to bidding its obligations within its fiscal constraints. There is a Fiscal Responsibility Legislation which is going to guide us in respect as to how we settle these matters, but we are committed to working with the labour unions. I must say that we have had a good working relationship throughout the program, and in the final year of the program we hope to continue that,” he added.
During his first National Address for 2016, Prime Minister Dr the Rt Hon. Keith Mitchell said the issues are fundamental to enhancing the position of the Grenadian worker.
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