The National Trade Union Centre of Trinidad and Tobago (NATUC) is deeply concerned at reports coming from the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) and their affiliated unions in Dominica, that the Prime Minister of Dominica, the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, has announced plans to hold a snap general election in Dominica on December 6, 2022. It is the view of NATUC that while the global economy is still reeling from the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic, that this is no time for any Caribbean country to be thinking of calling snap elections.

Research has found that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on low-income countries and people with low incomes across all countries. it is the humble view of NATUC that the calling of snap elections in Dominica at this time, is insensitive and prejudicial and not in the best interest of the citizens of Dominica.

The Covid-19 pandemic impacted all social strata, affecting industry, manufacturing, tourism, labour, and education and moreso, in the Caribbean. Further we have been reliably informed that the electoral commission is in the process of undertaking electoral reform.

According to the CCJs report, Section 77, “moreover without such free and fair elections, the preambular value of the creation and maintenance of and respect for lawfully constituted authority would be fatally undermined. The consequences of such a denial, that a reflection on Caribbean history demonstrates include, loss of legitimacy, public unrest and even revolt. In contemporary terms free and fair elections are so fundamental to the democratic way of life, that without it the very legitimacy and sovereignty of the
constitutional state is brought into question – consisted as is by, ‘the People of Dominica’. One Voice For All Labour Unity is Strength.

Consistent with this expressed view and the widespread support for electoral reform, the Dominica Public Service Union believes that a snap election is not in the best interest of Dominica and the citizenry of Dominica.

Further the fact that the citizens of Dominica are seeking to include trade unions, private
sector, civil society, and the wider citizenry in Dominica, to support and call attention to
the need for electoral reform before any general elections are held, should not be
discouraged, since such efforts are conducive to a healthy democracy.
In this regard it is worth reminding ourselves: “The will of People shall be the basis of the
authority (legitimacy) of government’ –

We call on the government of Dominica to let good sense prevail and to seek to correct all the issues in the affected areas before the calling of any elections. We want to advise the honourable Prime Minister that being a “Prime Minister” does not give him absolute power to do what he wants and when he wants. The use of political office must be used judiciously and with common sense to the advancement and upliftment of the people of Dominica.

Remember, the voice of the people is the voice of God, and we must be guided by the Godfearing principles of love, empathy and impartiality when making decisions that will affect the citizenry of the country.

Michael Annisette
General Secretary
NATUC
868 727 6332