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The Right to Secure a Livelihood
October 19, 2000
Sir/Madam,
The conviction of the General Secretary of the Communication Workers' Union on several charges is an issue of some importance, not only in itself, but because of the several related issues that arise.
Why did this take place? What is the significance? Why are such archaic laws banning the beating of drums still existing? Why are such laws used selectively? What should the workers do about these matters?
The arrests of the two leaders of the CWU (one awaken from his bed and charged) took place in the context of the demand of the TSTT workers for a share in the profits of the company.
To the rich and powerful (whether it be private investor or the State) such a demand awakens the beast in them since the maximisation of profit is the raison detre of their activity. To them, it is an outrage that workers, by demanding more wages or profit-sharing should be seeking to reduce the levels of their obscene profits.
These arrests were aimed at sending a message not to the trade union leaders, but to the workers who were fighting for this demand.
Remember, several dozen health workers were also hit with cuts in pay because they dared to demand higher incomes too!
Then, really what is the offence? Beating drums (to the annoyance of a horse or cow I imagine)…Remember in 1986 that was one of the charges that was raised against persons demonstrating against apartheid outside the Oval. In the 1970's and in the 90's members of TIWU and WASA workers were also charged with this offence in the context of conducting their own struggles for higher wages.
This archaic piece of legislation, contrary to the boasts of Ms. Robinson-Regis was used by the PNM against workers and democratic-minded people for the same purpose of punishing protest and inflicting terror. That is one ignominy that both the PNM and UNC share.
Players of our national instrument will also tell you that a similar piece of archaic anti-national and anti-democratic legislation requires steelbands to obtain permission "to play pans and beat drums.." during the sanctioned period of Carnival.
These pieces of legislation remain vestiges of colonial rule to terrorise the restless natives whenever the big pappies suspect revolt.
The workers, all workers must be conscious of the existence of such laws which were created to suppress their legitimate struggles for their demands.
The workers must add the removal of such anti-democratic laws to their economic demands, if they are to even succeed in winning the increased wages and improved conditions they seek.
To win this demand in support of their right to fight for their livelihood, the workers must place it on their agenda and must decide how to wage the struggle to win such a demand. This requires the maximum unity of the workers.
Hopes to win such a demand are not to be pinned on one set of candidates or the other in elections (as the PNM is trying to use the issue to buy votes).
What is required is the concerted effort of all the workers and their unions as well as the unorganised workers to bring about such an important victory.
It is a pity that at a time when such unity is needed to win such a critical demand, there are all kinds of manouvres to disrupt the unity of the workers and weaken their struggle.
The authors of such division must be fully aware of the harm that they do.
HOMEPAGE
Copyright © Clyde Weatherhead
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