21/09/2021
Setting the tone for a highly productive society
Until the the government begin to deal with the issue of enforcement, price gouging and profiteering, the minimum wage should remain the same.
Of course there are elements of the Act that may need some revision to give some sectors greater leverages in terms of hours of work
However, government need to start legislating penalties against price gouging and profiteering instead of simply collecting taxes on ill gained profits.
Penalties will go to the root of the issue of inflation and not interfere with the entire spectrum of business that is interested in fair competition. It will also create real competition and the public stands a better chance of getting value for money.
Increasing the minimum wage at this time as proposed, will only serve to hurt the part of the population that the increase is designed to protect because in any event, that cost is usually passed on to the consumer and reflected in further inflation.
It is also critical that government begin to consider the issue of pay for performance when negotiating collective agreements in the public sector. This will undoubtedly create a new kind of thinking and responsibility for workers in Trinidad and Tobago and it will set the tone for a highly productive society.
Think and develop the nation's human resource.