EDITORIAL - Setting the agenda for the partnership negotiations

WE NOTE the announcement by business groups, led by the Private Sector Organisation, of the readiness to resume social-contract talks - called Partnership for Progress - with the Government.

These talks, launched nearly three years ago, were suspended four months ago over the Government's stalling on the extradition of reputed drug lord, Christopher Coke, and Prime Minister Golding's admission, after much prevarication, that he had sanctioned the engagement of lobbyists to get America to go soft on the Coke affair.

Mr Golding's announcement of a commission of enquiry to probe the whole murky affair has met the private sector's precondition for resumption of the social-partnership talks. This, we hope, will not be another long, meandering round of hot air that delivers little of substance.

In that regard, we are disappointed that there is no clear indication that either the trade unions or the political Opposition will be at the table for the renewed discussions.

Indeed, Mr Golding was right when he argued that it was sensible for the Opposition to be involved in these discussions, so it was his intention to bring them to the table. For, if they were part of a broad consensus, it is presumed that there would not be wild policy swings with each change of administration.

It is unlikely, given the Opposition's continued disagreement with how the commission into the Coke affair was constituted, they would be willing to fully engage in these talks, if invited. That, though, is a position we would suggest they reconsider.

Public-sector reforms

Notably, too, public-sector unions, through their umbrella group, are about to resume separate discussions with the administration on a range of issues, including the current wage freeze and Mr Golding's proposed public-sector reforms.

There are specific employment-related issues that may require direct government-union negotiations. However, the broader issues, which boil down to managing the fiscal deficit, generating sustainable economic growth, and creating jobs, are the same ones on the table at the social-partnership discussions and, therefore, would be better addressed under that umbrella.

In that regard, we urge the Government and the private sector to attempt to have all the partners at the table for these discussions. A failure in this respect, however, should not preclude getting some meaningful things done.

Our suggestion is that the parties in these discussions commit themselves to clear deliverables within specified time frames, starting with the dismantling of impediments to business, to which the Government had declared its commitment. The private sector must be specific about these hurdles and what it wants in their place.

These changes will demand an acceleration of the public-sector transformation pro-ject, which at this stage is primarily talk. New energy and greater clarity have to be brought to this process. Among the things that can be quickly achieved in the effort to shore up the public finances are the introduction of a contributory pension scheme for public-sector employees, and a reduction of their overgenerous leave entitlements.

The administration, understandably, has fears of the political fallout from the job losses public-sector reform may entail. What it should bear in mind is that most of these jobs will be recouped in the private sector, if the environment in which businesses can expand is created.

The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.