Trade union council stands firm against common weapon used by employers to suppress employees’ rights

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU) has said it is standing firm in its commitment to advocate for rights and welfare of workers across the nation.

Workers have been singled out as the primary contributors to company expenditures whenever they demand better working conditions for too long, a SICTU statement yesterday said.

“This narrative is not only misleading but also unjust. It is time to shift the focus and acknowledge the broader systemic issues that significantly impact business operations and costs. It’s time to shift the blame and focus on real solutions,” said SICTU.  

“Today, we address a critical issue that has long plagued industrial relations: the unfair burden placed on workers when employers and other stakeholders discuss the rising costs of doing business,’’ the SICTU issued in an official statement. 

“It adds that while workers’ demands for fair wages, safe working environments, and improved conditions are legitimate and necessary, they are not the sole drivers of rising operational costs.

SICTU said other critical factors, often overlooked, contribute substantially to the financial pressures faced by companies, high government service costs and taxation policies that place undue burdens on businesses, exorbitant power and water tariffs, which increase operational overheads, Poor public transport systems, forcing workers to incur high commuting costs and reducing productivity, inadequate road infrastructure, leading to increased logistics and transportation expenses and weak enabling infrastructures, which hinder efficient business operations and increase costs. 

“These systemic challenges must be addressed to create a conducive environment for investment and development. Employers, policymakers, and other stakeholders must share the responsibility for creating sustainable solutions rather than placing the blame solely on workers,” said SICTU. 

SICTU calls for a standard shift in how industrial negotiations are conducted and future discussions to address the root causes of high operational costs must be data statistics-driven and focus on evidence-based solutions.

SICTU said that employers and companies must recognise that workers’ demands for better conditions are not the problem but a reflection of the need for a fair and equitable working environment. 

SICTU urges employers to acknowledge the broader factors contributing to high business costs and work collaboratively with unions and the government to address them through adopting transparent and data-driven approaches in industrial negotiations to ensure fair and informed decision-making, invest in improving workplace conditions as a long-term strategy to boost productivity and employee satisfaction, which ultimately benefits businesses. 

SICTU calls on the government to review and reduce service costs and taxes that excessively affect businesses and workers, invest in critical infrastructure such as roads, public transport, and utilities to create a more enabling environment for businesses and workers alike and engage in meaningful dialogue with unions and employers to develop policies that support sustainable economic growth and fair labour practices. 

“Workers are the backbone of our economy, and their well-being is integral to the nation’s progress. It is time to move beyond the outdated narrative that blames workers for rising costs and instead focus on addressing the systemic issues that hinder our collective growth,” said SICTU. 

“SICTU remains committed to working with all stakeholders to create a fair, equitable, and prosperous future for workers and businesses in the Solomon Islands. Enough is enough. Share the blame. Share the solutions,” said SICTU.

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