Given the prevailing harsh economic realities, the Employers Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA) wishes to provide its initial reactions following the 2017/2018 National Budget presentation. In general, the budget was fairly balanced with a mix of austerity measures and incentives as we all try to do more with less. The Government must therefore be commended for achieving a reduction in the budget deficit. This is certainly a move in the right direction.

On August 30th, 1962, Dr. Eric Williams, the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago articulated his vision for what was then an infant nation on the cusp of a new journey. Discipline, Production and Tolerancewere the watchwords bequeathed to a newly independent nation meant to reflect the guiding principles and values in the development of the country and its people.

The Employers Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA) is calling for good sense to prevail as we collectively strive to overcome the current turbulent economic challenges facing our nation. In this regard, the ECA believes that the recent call by Mr. Ancel Roget, President of the Joint Trade Union Movement, for consumers to boycott businesses owned by the so called “elitist one percent” cannot be seen as a reasonable, responsible, or rational course of action.

The Employers Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA) continues to follow recent heightened activity by the Trade Union movement, following Labour Day observances last month which has led to several joint Union exercises across the country. According to reports, the culmination of this exercise is expected to be a mass demonstration on August 4th in resistance to several social and labour related issues, including retrenchment of workers and the perceived inequity in sharing the burden of adjustment required to survive the current socio-economic challenges facing Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).