Former Education Minister Advocates for the birth of Trade Unions in TCI
#TurksandCaicos, March 14th, 2023 – It’s time for public sector workers, especially teachers to form true Trade Unions to protect themselves according to Robert Hall, Former Minister of Education.
“For many things, workers in general look to the Government to do when the government is actually the judge and jury,” he said at a recent Education Week Symposium held at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
“There are two words I want you to bear in mind: mobilize and organize,” he said. “What one of you can’t do, 20 or
30 can do. If there’s a problem and you want a solution, the Minister or the Government might not listen to one of you, but I’m sure they’ll listen to 400. There is strength in numbers and strength and unity,” Hall maintained.
Acknowledging that Trade Unions have not really gotten off the ground in Turks and Caicos, he urged residents not to leave their welfare up to the Government.
“You really need to have a proper union so that you can make your petitions to the Government and bargain with them.”
He also recommends that civil servants organize their own credit unions since the Government has now given them the legal right to do so.
“The banks might not smile on you, but your Credit Union certainly will.”
Hall, who is a former Education Minister and former Speaker of the House of Assembly concluded his thoughts with a quote from Marcus Garvey.
“The ends you serve that are selfish will take you no further than yourself, but the ends that you serve to the good of all in general will take you to eternity.”
