It's being hailed as a landmark moment for the local labour movement. In recognition of more than 125 years of unity and progress, Trinidad and Tobago's trade union community hosted its first-ever Trade Union Fair, showcasing the country's proud legacy of workers' rights and social justice.
00:00For the first time in history, unions from across Trinidad and Tobago joined the forces in one space,
00:06celebrating victories won and highlighting the crucial role organized the labor continues to play in shaping national development.
00:14Minister of Labor, Small and Microenterprise Development, Leroy Batiste, says unions remain vital in showing fairness, dignity and balance in the workplace.
00:24Comrades, a trade union is not a relic of the past. It is a living, breathing, counterbalance between the employer and the employee.
00:38It is the collective voice that ensures no worker stands alone. It is a shield against exploitation and the engine of progress.
00:56Minister Batiste noted that many rights workers enjoyed today, including paid leave, job security and an eight-hour workday,
01:04came through years of union struggle and sacrifice.
01:08That is the trade union movement that won paid vacation leave. Come on, man. Big up yourself.
01:15Safety and health in the workplace was because of trade union movement.
01:22Equal pay for equal work because of the trade union movement.
01:27The rights to collective bargaining was won by the trade union movement.
01:36These were not gifts, comrades. They were hard-won rights, earned through matches, strikes, negotiation and, above all else, sacrifice.
01:47He added that the government is pushing ahead with initiatives to further strengthen labor protection.
01:52It includes expediting the recognition of unions for RMU status.
02:00It includes implementing a living wage to uplift working-class families.
02:08It includes facilitating a contributory pension plan for daily-rated workers.
02:16It includes an improvement to the health plan for public sector workers.
02:27It includes working with the unions to ensure accessibility to HDC housing.
02:34Through public-private partnership, we will create an additional 50,000 jobs.
02:40Comrades, we are also developing a small and micro-enterprise development policy which promotes decent work, inclusivity and the formalization of informal labor.
02:55Event organizers says the fair was not just a celebration but a call to inspire younger generations to embrace the movement that has long defended their future.
03:05At the cross, and the burden of my heart, come the way.
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