Trevor Johnson Highlights Growing Job Losses and Unmet Government Commitments in Trinidad and Tobago

In a recent segment of the I955 FM public-service reform program, host Ralph welcomed labour expert Trevor Johnson, Assistant Secretary of the Joint Trade Union Movement (J-TEM), to the discussion. Johnson confirmed his presence and noted that he had just joined the programme, having only heard the earlier conversation through a colleague’s summary.

The interview focused on the escalating employment crisis revealed by the latest CSA survey, which shows a marked rise in job losses across the country. Johnson pointed out that recent business declines have exacerbated the situation, and he questioned the government’s follow-through on previously signed agreements concerning back-pay for workers. He highlighted that, although the Minister of Finance briefly addressed the issue during the recent mid-year budget review, the commitments made in 2024-2025 remain unsettled in 2026.

Johnson stressed the urgency of a comprehensive strategy to move the economy beyond its reliance on hydrocarbons. He warned that without clear plans for diversification, productivity, and workforce re-skilling, the nation risks repeating past economic downturns. The discussion also touched on the need for stronger tripartite arrangements involving government, employers, and unions to address not just wage negotiations but broader development goals.

Concluding the interview, Johnson reaffirmed the labour movement’s role in advocating for both immediate wage protections and long-term structural reforms, urging policymakers to engage unions in shaping the country’s future economic direction.