Trade unions have added their voices to calls for an immediate end to the State of Emergency in Trinidad & Tobago.
However the Chamber of Industry and Commerce is more patient, saying it expects the measure to end on December 5, the present date established to end it.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar ended the curfew on Monday evening, declaring it a success in drastically reducing crime and saving the country. However at the same time she kept the State of Emergency in place, adding that if necessary the curfew will be reimposed.
The CEO of the Chamber, Katherine Kumar welcomed the change. “We’re happy the National Security Council took into consideration the impact on the business community and also particularly the hospitality industry which endured significant losses directly due to the curfew," Kumar told the Guardian newspaper.
“Also, those employed in that sector were the ones least able to afford any reduction in income,” she added.
She also said the Chamber's principal concern was the effect of the curfew on businesses and workers who were affected. “We had no problems with the SoE remaining, that is, until December 5—and that’s still our position,” she said.
“We’ve heard Government has left the doors open if there is need to reinstate the curfew and we trust that need will not arise and the relevant agencies have been able to put crime initiatives in place and we won’t see a return of crime as it was before or getting worse.”
Kumar added, “We’re hopeful the additional measures and initiatives stated by the Prime Minister will ensure some level of sustainability in the reduction in crime, now and even after the end of the SoE."
The President of the Communication Workers’ Union was not impressed with the plan to keep the State of Emergency Joseph Remy told local media his union is disappointed the measure did not end along with the curfew.
“Why lift the curfew and keep the SoE if you say you have crime under control?" he asked, noting that in his view the regulations governing the SoE appear targeted at the trade unions.
He said, “We’re calling on the Prime Minister to be bold enough to admit a mistake was made and that the SoE was a colossal failure and should therefore be lifted immediately.
“It’s clear it was geared to clamp down on our proposed national shutdown earlier in the year, and it has been extended to prevent our mobilisation to challenge the five per cent wage cap."
However the Chamber of Industry and Commerce is more patient, saying it expects the measure to end on December 5, the present date established to end it.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar ended the curfew on Monday evening, declaring it a success in drastically reducing crime and saving the country. However at the same time she kept the State of Emergency in place, adding that if necessary the curfew will be reimposed.
The CEO of the Chamber, Katherine Kumar welcomed the change. “We’re happy the National Security Council took into consideration the impact on the business community and also particularly the hospitality industry which endured significant losses directly due to the curfew," Kumar told the Guardian newspaper.
“Also, those employed in that sector were the ones least able to afford any reduction in income,” she added.
She also said the Chamber's principal concern was the effect of the curfew on businesses and workers who were affected. “We had no problems with the SoE remaining, that is, until December 5—and that’s still our position,” she said.
“We’ve heard Government has left the doors open if there is need to reinstate the curfew and we trust that need will not arise and the relevant agencies have been able to put crime initiatives in place and we won’t see a return of crime as it was before or getting worse.”
Kumar added, “We’re hopeful the additional measures and initiatives stated by the Prime Minister will ensure some level of sustainability in the reduction in crime, now and even after the end of the SoE."
The President of the Communication Workers’ Union was not impressed with the plan to keep the State of Emergency Joseph Remy told local media his union is disappointed the measure did not end along with the curfew.
“Why lift the curfew and keep the SoE if you say you have crime under control?" he asked, noting that in his view the regulations governing the SoE appear targeted at the trade unions.
He said, “We’re calling on the Prime Minister to be bold enough to admit a mistake was made and that the SoE was a colossal failure and should therefore be lifted immediately.
“It’s clear it was geared to clamp down on our proposed national shutdown earlier in the year, and it has been extended to prevent our mobilisation to challenge the five per cent wage cap."
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