Negotiations between Santokhi government and unions: Four years of empty talk

[ad_1]

Opinion – Negotiations between the Santokhi government and the unions appear to continue to end in empty promises and symbolic steps, while concrete results are yet to emerge.

While the government likes to talk about “a step in the right direction” in its communications, the reality for many workers remains the same: four years of negotiations have produced little substantive progress.

The crux of the matter remains the union’s demand for a 35 percent pay increase, which seems reasonable given the country’s economic realities and rising cost of living.

However, the government seems to be able to stick to a meagre offer of 10%, which is disproportionate to the workers’ expectations and demands.

Of particular concern, however, is the lack of concrete progress. The government praises itself for taking “steps” but these seem little more than symbolic to many. It remains limited to words and vague promises, while the gap between what the unions are asking for and what the government is willing to offer remains wide.

It is therefore difficult to believe that the negotiations will actually produce a satisfactory outcome within two weeks, as President Santoshi claims.

In fact, the current restoration of enhanced purchasing power is more like a stopgap measure than a structural solution. It is just a sweetener and does not solve the root problem.

The fact that Finance and Planning Minister Stanley Raghoebarsing highlighted the SRD2.6 billion deficit during the negotiations is also worth pondering. If the fiscal gap is so large, how realistic is it for the government to meet the unions’ wage demands?

Particularly missing from the government’s communications is a clear and transparent story that tells a true picture of the country’s economic situation while respecting workers’ concerns and demands.

Time is running out, and Suriname’s workers need more than nice words. They are entitled to concrete, substantive improvements in their living conditions.

If the government fails to do this, trust will be further eroded, with serious consequences for national and social stability.

I am a doctor of medicine