Maroc - NEWSDAY.CO.TT - A la Une - 25/Jun 06:53

Labour Day reflections

UNFORTUNATELY to many citizens, June 19 is just another holiday. Through a combination of factors, the true meaning and significance of this day is lost on many citizens, especially members of the younger generation. Indifference and apathy toward the public holiday seem to have become the norm for the average citizen. Those faithful citizens who make the annual pilgrimage to Fyzabad have been steadily declining over the years, with the notable absence of younger citizens. Among the reasons advanced for this reality is the perceived irrelevance many ascribe to trade unions; a state of blissful ignorance the citizenry has been embracing at its own peril. While there is a blatant burgeoning proletariat-bourgeois differential, manifested in the increasing number of citizens who are living below the poverty line, with the commensurate diminution of the economic power of middle-class citizens, along with its corollary of social deficits, trade unions continue to steadfastly hold the fort in their battle for social justice, fairness and economic empowerment of the masses. Unfortunately, capitalist forces continue to steadily chip away and undermine the reputation and power of trade unions in a calculated agenda of demonisation and marginalisation which has been gaining traction in the minds of the very people being exploited. Blissful ignorance has become the preferred option for many; a state of mental existence that makes economic exploitation the order of the day. The power of solidarity that was once able to capitulate mighty colonial establishments, to deliver enhanced standards of living for an impoverished population that was perceived as property, has remained the targeted enemy of capitalist forces. The power of unity in common purpose represented by unions has been foolishly frowned upon by many who opt instead to see themselves as powerless, embracing and succumbing to an unprecedented state of victimhood and acceptance of the status quo. Many blame the behaviour and antics of trade union leaders for this state of affairs, opting to respond by exclusion rather that engagement to enhance the democratic structures that will enable the union to remain steadfast in its core principles. Some even see the changing nature of work, with the significant advancements in technologies and the inability of unions to adjust to this reality as the raison d’etre for them to be relegated from the economic and social landscape and confined to the annals of history. This line of cognition is annihilatory. It fails to recognise the new forms of worker exploitation that these technological advancements are impregnated with. While the nature and approach to the battle may need significant refinement, the need to enhance and defend worker rights has ironically become even more critical. Solidarity is still the best option to challenge these exploitative forces that transcend national boundaries with an unprecedented sphere of influence. Trade unions must take note of these developments and radically adjust their modus operandi with a judicious mix of member engagement, diplomacy and militancy. Monarchical leadership approaches must be consigned to the past in the reinventing process of relevance. Old rhetoric and cliché slogans must now give way to a new dialogue of tactical worker empowerment and engagement. Unions remain one of our essential guardians of democracy, holding leaders accountable via the power of solidarity. Their role of eternal vigilance and defence of democratic rights has even become more critical given the extent to which democratic structures have become highjacked by powerful economic interests. Their neutrality and fearlessness in this battle must never be compromised nor devoid of ambiguity. As workers are being increasingly cajoled into functioning in silos through secret contracts, unions must vociferously agitate to have all relevant existent worker-related legislation reviewed and where necessary amended to be in sync with this new global order, beginning with the dreaded and oppressive Industrial Relations Act and the Retrenchment and Severance Benefits Act. It is preposterous that in this modern era, teachers are not legally classified as "workers" with attendant worker rights under the existing laws of the country. Too many workers are still being injured and even killed on the job because employers are able to exploit loopholes in the law to the disadvantage of workers. Too many workers are still being debarred from joining unions to ensure their rights are protected. The labour agenda must never be allowed to be sidelined because of its role in the empowerment of people. Greed impregnated with disrespect and contempt will always drive the exploitation of human capital and can only be repelled by the eternal vigilance of trade unions. Solidarity forever. The post Labour Day reflections appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.