The Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), as the regional voice of organised labour representing workers and trade unions across the Caribbean, expresses deep concern regarding the tone and implications of statements made in the public domain by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and the subsequent response by the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honourable Gaston Browne, in relation to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), regional relations, and international partners.
The CCL is of the firm view that this public exchange risks undermining regional cooperation and solidarity at a time when Caribbean working people are already confronting profound economic, social, climate-related, and security challenges. In such circumstances, unity, restraint, and constructive dialogue are essential to safeguarding regional stability and advancing the collective interests of Caribbean citizens.
The Caribbean Congress of Labour further emphasizes that regional consultation and the articulation of collective CARICOM positions do not constitute hostility toward international partners. Constructive, respectful, and mutually beneficial engagement with allies such as the United States can and must coexist with robust regional dialogue, cooperation, and solidarity. Unity among Caribbean states should never descend into ideological posturing; rather, it must be grounded in strategic necessity and a shared commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and livelihoods of Caribbean workers and communities.
The CCL has consistently advocated for reform, transparency, accountability, and People-centred governance across the region. At this critical juncture, Caribbean workers require leadership that prioritises cooperation over division, consensus over confrontation, and social and economic justice over political posturing.
The Caribbean Congress of Labour therefore calls on regional leaders to recommit to the principles of respectful engagement, collective responsibility, and meaningful consultation within CARICOM. The strength of the Caribbean integration movement lies in its ability to resolve differences through dialogue and to present a unified front in defence of the region’s people.
The CCL remains steadfast in its commitment to a reformed and strengthened CARICOM that truly serves the interests of Caribbean people and protects the dignity, rights, and livelihoods of workers across the region.
