PSA calls halt on TTRA debate "small victory"

The Public Services Association (PSA) welcomed an announcement by the government Monday that it will halt action on the proposed Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) Bill to allow for full consultations with stakeholders.

The about turn was made in the Senate before the PSA presented its case against the controversial legislation.

Following the government announcement, PSA President Watson Duke remarked that it was a victory, noting that the union's plan to sustain a protests against the bill had worked.

The PSA had been holding daily lunchtime demonstrations and had formed an informal coalition with the opposition to try to scuttle the deal in Parliament, with a PSA representative being appointed a temporary opposition Senator for the debate on the bill.

"I must say today our plan has brought forth fruit," Duke told PSA members in Woodford Square after learning of the government's decision. The PSA members and supporters from other unions had marched and round the Red House in anticipation of the debate on the Bill.

But the debate didn't happen.

Duke stressed that the PSA struggle would continue and promised to update union members on when an agreement had been reached.