Unions in Dominica agree to unite for more effective representation of workers

Unions in Dominica have made one more step towards greater unity and more effective representation of workers in Dominica.

Leaders of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), the Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT), the Waterfront and Allied Workers Union (WAWU) and Dominica Amalgamated Workers Union (DAWU) at a meeting of Thursday April 28, 2022, convened at the DPSU building on Valley Road, placed emphasis on the tremendous work done by public sector workers and those in the private sector to respond to these events and to help Dominica in its recovery efforts. The Unions agreed that workers must be better valued and regarded, and Unions must reclaim the observance of May Day, reignite the labour struggle and inspire greater interest in the relevance and critical role of trade unions in the advancement of society.

The meeting agreed that the issues confronting workers in Dominica are too important for Unions to remain quiet, apart, or discouraged by failed attempts at greater unity. The Unions present decided that it was time for action, to seize new opportunities and to address the challenges affecting workers.

  • Very high on the agenda were the issues affecting workers in a COVID-19 era, particularly the issue of mandatory vaccination being flagged as a new condition of work or pre-requisite criterion for finding employment at a time when unemployment is high.
  • The Issue of the implementation of the revised minimum wage also was discussed as a priority. The Unions further emphasized that every worker in Dominica deserves a better living wage and not just minimum wage.
  • The issue of pensions was agreed as a priority issue. In the absence of a national retirement age, employees retiring at 60 are grossly affected, since Social Security benefits are now paid at 65.
  • Occupational Health and Safety was highlighted. The issue of mental health and wellbeing of workers was emphasized. It was made clear that employers must ensure that the workplace is well sanitized and made safer for workers as well as for customers.

Other high priority issues were also discussed to include:

  • Dominica’s participation in the International Labour Conference, reporting to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and for the Government to take steps to ratify Convention 190. It was noted that the last time Dominica ratified an ILO convention was in 2004.
  • Precarious/contract work, victimization and discrimination of workers were also seen as issues to be addressed more fervently.
  • COVID-19 has forced many workers to operate virtually and as such digitalization is affecting these workers and was cited as a priority.

The Unions at that meeting made a commitment towards greater solidarity and collective action and with the endorsement of their respective Executives, agreed to a joint statement, and to meet again in one week to put in place a plan for more concrete action and establish a more formal arrangement to treat with matters of mutual interest.

We the Unions, congratulate and celebrate all our workers in Dominica and wish to acknowledge all the employers who value their workers and respect their Trade Unions as equal contributors to production, innovation, and advancement in Society.

Solidarity, Liberty and Fraternity and a Happy and peaceful May Day 2022 to all.

Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU)

Waterfront and Allied Workers Union (WAWU)

Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT)

Dominica Amalgamated Workers Union (DAWU)

 

This 29th day of April 29, 2022 on the Occasion of May Day 2022.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

4 Comments

  1. Lin clown
    May 3, 2022

    The first thing Thomas Balls Letang have to do is,get the management of C& S Security to pay security officers the minimum wage of $8 an hour.Since September 1 2021C&S has not paid,and Letang is father of the manager.Hypocrite.The other unions are playing death and dumb.Instead of trying to turn DPSU into a policital arm of UWP he should look after the under paid security officers.

  2. dissident
    May 3, 2022

    Talk is cheap my friends!!!!
    You have to be visible doing dat wi
    Dis system needs to be challenged. Show some leadership and inspire your members to come out
    No activities yesterday!

  3. JAH KAL
    May 2, 2022

    You mean to tell me you have four Unions in Dominica and you all settle with skerrit for 000 and skerrit have money wasting and you all accepted that, what a D shame . Minimum wage is $4.25 cents per hour less than 2US dollars a day and after 20years you talking about coming together what is wrong with you people .You mean to tell me in the English speaking country in the Caribbean in 2022 you all making less that 2US dollars per hour $34. 00 a day !!!!!!!! and now talking about coming together for the workers or for personal gain i can not believe that .WHAT, man their so much to say i am very disappointed.

  4. Ibo France
    May 2, 2022

    Trade and Labour Unions have been emasculated by corrupt and evil governments globally. Dominica is a prime example of this.

    It is through the sacrifices of workers that a country develops and thrives. It is therefore imperative that these people are treated right to bring out the best in them on their jobs. Remuneration, benefits, incentives, working conditions should all be satisfactory so that workers and their families would be able to experience a comfortable standard of living.

    Political division is the opiate of workers in Dominica. The political party in power uses division as a strategy to prevent workers from uniting and getting their fair share of country’s resources. Unity is key to end the oppression of workers.

    UNITY among the Trade Unions must be had before workers can be respected and obtain a bountiful harvest they so richly deserve.

    Finally, we must unite for the greater good of each other or stay divided and perish as fools.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available