Murrell wants national dialogue

THE Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) is not supporting Government’s plan to lay off 3 000 workers, and rejects the proposal to freeze public workers’ increments for two years.
Instead it wants national dialogue, specifically to have the social partners – labour unions, private sector and government –invited by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart to develop a protocol on recovery and growth, similar to the Prices and Incomes Protocol coming out of the 1991 economic crisis.
CTUSAB president Cedric Murrell told the media today Barbados now faced a bigger challenge than it did in 1991, so the situation required a national effort where each of the social partners would bring their mix of growth-targeted approaches.
Although time is short before the lay-offs begin on January 15, Murrell said, dialogue must begin soon toward a plan of recovery and growth. (RJ)