Presented by
Joseph O’Flaherty
President
St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union

Salutation:
It is indeed a pleasure to extend greetings and welcome to this very important National Conference on Labour, especially in the context of the launch this year of the National Tripartite Committee on Labour. As such, we express a special welcome to our overseas delegates and look forward to your contributions in the discussions.

Ladies and gentlemen, the issues surrounding labour relation remain as crucial as they were decades ago. From the perspective of a small island developing country, whose economy continues to evolve around services, it is important that our legislative and regulatory frameworks are robust and effective to ensure that workers in this country are protected, that their rights are not encumbered and that there is the facilitation for workers to have the opportunity to improve their quality of life for themselves and for their families.
It is my hope that such could be accomplished through constructive dialogue, through the tripartite mechanism, to create modern day frameworks that supports both individual and country development.

As such, it is imperative that Government, Employers and the Union work diligently to deliver those legislative and regulatory frameworks that facilitate growth, development and the protection of workers in every sector of our economy.

Having said that, I wish to turn your attention to a few of the critical areas that are important in getting a fair deal for all concerned. Among these important matters are those of improving our global competitiveness, having a secure environment for workers representation, as well as the issues on training and education.

Indeed, all of these matters are inter-linked, and they all work together for the achievement of growth and development.

I speak about competitiveness, because we are not, in any stretch of the imagination, competing with ourself. In a tourism and services oriented economy, our competitors are regional and international. So, our standards must be high and persistently delivered, if we are to advance our country’s interests globally and secure sustainable levels of growth.
It means, therefore, that the matter of training, at various levels, should play a critical role at both the employee and employer levels to create higher levels of competencies and productivity in the workplace. When done correctly, everyone benefits. All sectors of our economy benefits, as we build brands noted for reliability, international standards in quality and presentation.

As I have said before, appropriate training and education are fundamental to this cause. Workers must have the means of accessing higher levels of education in fields that support, not only individual interests, but fields that are needed to move our potential upward in the things that we produce, or the services that we provide.

Resources such as TVET and our College of Further Education can and should play an increasing role in preparing our young people to function effectively in the workplace. Equally important is the need for employers to invest in the specialise training that supports their business operations, from the basic to the complicated. Competence, efficiency and presentation must be at the core of what we want to achieve.

But, all of this must be accomplished in an environment in which workers are not exploited. The fundamental rights of workers must be of prime concern of employers, especially those who want to be progressive.

Employers must follow the laws of this country, and must endeavour always to build relations with workers based on the highest levels of fairness, ethical standards and opportunity.

Effective communications, respect and inclusion will do much to build cooperation, thrust and commitment between employers and employees.

Again, I must reiterate the special attention that must be placed on safety and health in the environs of the workplace. It remains the duty of employers to ensure that their workplace is free of health hazards and that safety protocols are known and practiced.
Lastly, and just as important is the matter of unionism. It is, indeed, most unfortunate that certain political entities have in the past chose to attack the union in what I perceive to be a failure to understand the relevance of unions in a progressive country.
Workers representation is fundamental. Employers who engage in various tactics to discourage workers from joining a union, or forming a union, must cease this unethical and illegal behaviour.
If we believe that tripartite dialogue is the way to go, then there is no basis for employers to engage in such behaviour. When employers do the right thing, achieving higher levels of productivity becomes easier.
So, as we near the end of 2017, let us all commit to achieving the kind of Labour Code that will facilitate the environment in which we can achieve high levels of productivity, global competitiveness and individual and country growth and development.

It is in this context, therefore, that I extend best wishes for meaningful discussions on the various issues, that at the end of this conference, we are highly motivated to proceed and obtain the kind of positive change that can become a powerful platform for the future.

Again, I welcome all of you to this National Conference on Labour, and wish for a very successful outcome.

I thank you.