PSA Trinidad & Tobago

ILO Sub-Regional Office

Dr. Ana Teresa Romero, Director, ILO Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Public Services Association, Trinidad and Tobago

In the seven decades of its existence, the Public Services Association (PSA) would have witnessed many developments with implications for its members. It has been guiding them through successive initiatives at public sector reform that have touched upon decentralization as well as the redefining of functions and operating procedures. More recently, the pursuit of public-private partnerships, the application of results-based management, and the introduction of “electronic government” (e-government) have taken centre stage.

These processes are destined to continue. One of the five pillars of Trinidad and Tobago’s national development strategy, known as ‘Vision 2020’, is aimed at “promoting effective government”. In this effort, the public sector has a pivotal role to play.

It has to take the lead in strengthening the legal, institutional and administrative frameworks within which government provides services to its citizens. Indeed, the United Nations, in its 2007 Report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), noted that the ways in which “the public sector is structured, administered and operated”, and the policies that it pursues, had “a great impact on people’s well-being”.

Earlier this year, governments, together with employers’ and workers’ representatives from more than 100 countries adopted a ‘Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization’ at the 2008 International Labour Conference. In that Declaration, “a viable public sector” was identified as one of the vital requirements for promoting “sustainable economic development” and “employment opportunities”.

If the public sector is to be “viable” and contribute to the social infrastructure for realising ‘Vision 2020’ and maximizing the benefits of trade and investment in the global economy, then workers in the sector must operate in a context of decent work. This means that: their rights must be respected; there must be opportunities for productive employment; and they must have access to social protection; as well as to mechanisms for engaging in social dialogue.

The PSA has a track record that attests to its commitment to the goal of ‘decent work’. The ILO, through its Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ILO-Geneva) and the Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean (Port of Spain), will continue to provide technical support to the PSA, as it seeks to consolidate its gains in the four key areas that together comprise the ‘Decent Work’ Agenda.

To the President, Mrs. Jennifer Baptiste-Primus, the elected officials, staff and members of the Public Services Association, the Directorate and Staff of the ILO’s Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean wish every success in the years ahead, and extend our heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the PSA.