标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The Trinidadian government has officially announced a groundbreaking public works initiative while explicitly distancing it from the controversial CEPEP program that previously employed thousands. Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen confirmed the development through a ministerial statement on December 11th, acknowledging the existence of a leaked Cabinet document that outlined the proposed National Programme for the Upkeep of Public Spaces.

The new program, scheduled to operate from December 15th to March 13th, 2026, will function as a pilot project across four regions: northwestern, eastern, central, and southern Trinidad. Designed to enhance municipal corporations’ capacity to maintain public facilities including cemeteries, recreation grounds, community centers, and school properties, the initiative will employ teams at a daily cost of $2,976 per unit. Compensation structure includes regional coordinators at $352 daily, maintenance supervisors at $278, and compliance checkers at $278.

Minister Ameen emphasized the program’s distinction from its predecessor, stating: “This is not a CEPEP replacement. It represents a fresh, results-driven initiative designed to strengthen manpower at municipal corporations, pay decent wages, and operate without political middlemen, patronage, or criminal elements.” The minister highlighted that workers would be hired directly through the ministry, eliminating political intermediaries and so-called “ghost gangs” that plagued previous initiatives.

The announcement comes against the backdrop of significant employment disruption following the termination of approximately 11,000 workers through 300 CEPEP contractor dismissals. The government had previously justified these terminations as necessary anti-corruption measures, though one contractor’s legal challenge ultimately failed in court.

Reception to the announcement has been mixed. Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation Chairman Josiah Austin acknowledged the initiative while criticizing its scale as “grossly inadequate” for larger regions, calling for reassessment of manpower distribution. Meanwhile, former CEPEP workers expressed skepticism about the program’s temporary nature and implementation fairness. Several interviewees reported severe financial hardship following their terminations, with one woman revealing hospitalization and difficulties securing National Insurance benefits despite proper documentation.

Concerns have emerged regarding age discrimination allegations, with reports that the program might exclude applicants over 60 years old—a demographic that includes many who haven’t met National Insurance Board requirements. The opposition parties had not responded to inquiries by press time, while the ministry continues discussions with trade unions and stakeholders to refine program delivery.

Trinidad and Tobago’s law enforcement agencies have intercepted a massive narcotics shipment totaling 2.2 tonnes of marijuana with an estimated street value of $227 million within a 24-hour period. The dual operations, conducted on December 11, represent one of the most significant drug busts in recent history.

The first seizure occurred at Caroni Swamp Bird Sanctuary where authorities discovered 1,560 kilograms of cannabis valued at $171 million. Hours later, officers confiscated an additional 600 kilograms worth $56 million along South Central Road in Point Fortin. Despite the substantial haul, no arrests were made during either operation.

Government officials have attributed these successes to the controversial AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR radar system installed by United States forces at ANR International Airport in Tobago. Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers praised the technological advancement, stating: “We are very pleased that those national security apparatuses are working together cohesively with the TT Defence force and with assistance from the US. The success in such a short period is a testament to how strong the relationship is.”

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar characterized the seizures as “a significant blow to criminal networks” during her address at a Caribbean Examinations Council awards ceremony. The radar system has been at the center of political debate amid geopolitical tensions between the US and Venezuela, with opposition figures expressing sovereignty concerns and demanding transparency.

Minister Sobers defended the security partnership while maintaining discretion about operational specifics: “If we go out telling everyone our trade secrets, not only would the civil citizens of TT be aware, but criminals might be aware of what we are doing to fight crime.” He additionally revealed ongoing energy discussions with US officials regarding OFAC licenses for gas fields involving bpTT and Shell.

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro addressed public concerns about the absence of arrests, explaining that operational safety took precedence over apprehensions. Investigations into both drug seizures remain active.

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has issued a formal response to Regional Health Authority (RHA) workers threatening industrial action over unmet wage increase promises. The workers are demanding the ten percent salary hike pledged by the United National Congress (UNC) during this year’s general election campaign.

In a December 12th official statement, Minister Tancoo emphasized the government’s commitment to lawful collective bargaining processes while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The minister called upon recognized majority unions representing RHA employees to submit formal wage proposals directly to their respective RHAs to initiate transparent negotiations.

Tancoo clarified the distinct legal status of RHAs as public sector entities operating under their own legislative framework, separate from the core public service governed by the Civil Service Act. The minister acknowledged that while transferred staff received initial employment term protections, this did not constitute a perpetual guarantee that all future Civil Service wage increases would automatically apply to RHA personnel.

The ministry highlighted recent developments in labor representation, noting the Trinidad and Tobago Nursing Association’s January 13th certification as the recognized majority union for specific nursing positions at the Eastern RHA. This designation grants the association collective bargaining rights under the Industrial Relations Act.

Tancoo stressed that wage settlements for RHA employees must be negotiated directly between each RHA and its recognized unions, rather than extending the recent agreement between the Chief Personnel Officer and the Public Services Association. The minister reiterated that only officers remaining under the Civil Service Act jurisdiction would receive the terms negotiated in the December 2nd memorandum of agreement, which includes a ten percent increase with retroactive provisions dating to 2014.

The government expressed hope that essential health services would remain uninterrupted during any potential labor demonstrations, respecting workers’ rights to protest while emphasizing the importance of maintaining patient care standards.

A political dispute has emerged in Trinidad and Tobago regarding government Christmas celebrations, with Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Barry Padarath revealing that cabinet ministers are personally subsidizing year-end staff functions. This disclosure comes in response to criticism from opposition MP Stuart Young, who accused the ruling UNC government of extravagance while implementing austerity measures.

Young, the former energy minister and prime minister, had condemned what he characterized as ‘vulgar and expensive’ government parties in a social media post on December 13th. He asserted that the administration had terminated approximately 11,000 vulnerable workers from various public service programs while simultaneously authorizing lavish celebrations.

The controversy specifically references Christmas events hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Public Utilities. Photographs from these gatherings circulated online, showing Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar socializing with guests including musical performer Yung Bredda (Akhenaton Lewis).

In his rebuttal, Padarath clarified that performing artists at these functions were previously contracted brand ambassadors for state-owned telecommunications provider TSTT, arranged under the previous PNM administration. No government funds were allocated for their performances, with artists participating voluntarily. More significantly, Padarath revealed that ministers contributed personal finances to cover food and beverage costs for both events.

This situation unfolds against the backdrop of significant workforce reductions within public service programs following the UNC’s electoral victory on April 28th. The government has simultaneously instructed ministries and state companies to reduce expenditures, resulting in canceled year-end activities at numerous organizations, including profitable state enterprises.

The Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, Khadijah Ameen, has addressed reports of a new pilot program for public space maintenance running from December 2025 through March 2026, emphasizing that it does not represent a rebranding of the terminated CEPEP initiative.