分类： politics

The 2025-2026 national budget, titled “T&T First: Building Economic Fairness through Accountable Fiscal Policies,” presented by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo and the United National Congress (UNC) government, has garnered widespread acclaim for its bold and people-centric approach. The budget strikes a balance between fiscal discipline and compassionate governance, focusing on restoring public confidence, rebuilding institutions, and safeguarding citizens through strategic social investments. Within just 150 days, the government has taken decisive steps, including justice for former Caroni workers, the revival of the Couva Children’s Hospital, and reducing the price of super gas, alongside modernising key agencies like the Inland Revenue Division and Customs and Excise Division. These initiatives underscore a commitment to transparent governance and sound economic management. The budget also emphasises diversification in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and renewable energy, paving the way for a more resilient economy. Additionally, measures to protect the elderly, youth, and vulnerable populations, coupled with modernising healthcare, infrastructure, and digital services, reflect a holistic vision for national development. However, the writer proposes regularising Venezuelan migrants as a strategic move to transform a humanitarian challenge into an economic opportunity. Granting legal work status would expand the tax base, increase national insurance contributions, and formalise informal jobs, benefiting both local and migrant workers. This approach could stimulate consumer spending, support small businesses, and inject new skills into critical industries like agriculture, construction, and hospitality. Drawing inspiration from countries like Colombia and Costa Rica, which have successfully integrated migrant workers into their formal economies, Trinidad and Tobago has the opportunity to strengthen its economy while upholding its tradition of compassion and regional solidarity. The budget is not merely a financial plan but a blueprint for hope, accountability, inclusion, and transformation.

Public Service Association (PSA) President Felisha Thomas has announced the union’s commitment to finalizing public sector wage negotiations by Christmas, ensuring workers receive long-overdue payments. Speaking at a media conference on October 14, Thomas addressed what she termed ‘misinformation from the opposition’ regarding the recent ten per cent wage offer proposed by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo during the October 13 budget presentation.

Thomas emphasized the PSA’s dedication to resolving the negotiations swiftly, stating, ‘We are serious about settling your negotiations. Our aim is to have your negotiation settled by Christmas so that your money will be in your pockets.’ She also criticized former Finance Ministry official Brian Manning for his public remarks, urging him to refrain from interfering in public servants’ affairs.

Thomas accused the opposition of spreading ‘lies’ and attempting to undermine the PSA’s achievements on behalf of civil servants, statutory authority workers, and the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). She referenced a May 2022 memorandum of agreement from the chief personnel officer (CPO), which outlined previous wage proposals, describing the earlier two per cent offers as ‘disrespectful’ and a catalyst for protests.

Thomas hailed the revised ten per cent offer as a turning point for public sector workers, restoring dignity to the negotiation process. She confirmed that the CPO had acknowledged the PSA’s request for a meeting and expressed optimism about commencing formal talks.

Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste praised the ten per cent offer as a victory for public workers, condemning the previous ‘unjust’ four and five per cent offers. He highlighted the government’s efforts to save jobs and improve the standard of living for working-class citizens, emphasizing its people-centred approach. Additionally, the government announced initiatives to support small and micro enterprises, including mentorship and financing for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Thomas concluded by urging public servants to rely solely on the PSA for accurate information regarding the negotiations, warning against the opposition’s attempts to ‘create mischief.’

In a recent letter to the editor, legal expert E Galy expressed strong disapproval of the Privy Council’s decision to accept the appeal in the Jason Jones case. Galy argued that the Privy Council, as Trinidad and Tobago’s supreme judicial tribunal, was not established to alter the Constitution or existing laws. According to Galy, such authority lies solely with Parliament. The court’s role, as outlined by Galy, is to ensure that new laws conform to the Constitution and to uphold laws that have already been passed. Galy emphasized that the court is not empowered to render laws inoperable if they fall within the constitutional framework. In the case of Jason Jones, Galy pointed out that a law was suspended to allow a claimant, whose personal declarations could subject him to police investigation, an opportunity to overturn a law clearly within the constitutional remit. Galy argued that there is no provision in the Constitution or procedural law that permits the judiciary or the Privy Council to entertain such claims. The invocation of ‘changed times’ or ‘new era’ is not a recognized formula in the Constitution, nor is it the role of the Privy Council to adapt the nation to social movements or ideas from elsewhere. Galy concluded by stating that these principles are well-established in law and that any deviation from them could lead to unintended mutations in other branches of law, which is not the responsibility of the Privy Council.

The recently unveiled budget by the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration has been hailed as a deeply political maneuver, strategically timed months after the April 28 general election. Presented by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo on October 13, the budget was more than an economic roadmap; it was a victory lap for the United National Congress (UNC) and a testament to Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar’s enduring influence. Tancoo’s repeated acknowledgment of her as the driving force behind the budget underscored her centrality in shaping its measures, which aim to fulfill campaign promises and strengthen the social contract with citizens. Key initiatives, such as the public servant pay increase, not only fulfill pledges but also strategically weaken the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) by placing them on the defensive. The budget also highlights a shift in governance style, with Persad-Bissessar taking a more hands-on approach compared to her first term, where figures like Winston Dookeran and Larry Howai were more prominent. A notable feature is the establishment of a financial oversight committee chaired by the Prime Minister, signaling her heightened control over fiscal matters. Beyond domestic concerns, the budget carries geopolitical undertones, with references to global leaders like Donald Trump and Narendra Modi, reflecting Persad-Bissessar’s broader vision for Trinidad and Tobago’s place on the world stage. Her recent speech at the Siparia Divali celebrations, where she vowed to ‘go to war’ for citizens, further emphasized the interconnectedness of fiscal policy and international relations. This budget is not just about economic management; it is a calculated move to cement Persad-Bissessar’s legacy and position the country for a future shaped by both domestic and global priorities.