标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The adage ‘children learn what they live’ underscores the profound influence of early environmental exposure on their development. From birth to age five, children are highly impressionable, absorbing and mimicking the behaviors and language they observe. This formative period shapes their adult conduct, making it imperative for parents to model appropriate behavior. The 1979 calypso ‘Think About the Children’ by Merchant remains strikingly relevant today, as it highlights the societal decay marked by violence, intolerance, and disrespect. Merchant’s plea to parents Betty-Lou and Sam to foster a stable and nurturing home environment resonates deeply in our current context, where many children are exposed to harmful behaviors. He urged parents to prioritize their children’s welfare, warning that neglecting this responsibility would lead to a generation of maladjusted adults. Today, the prevalence of such neglect is evident, with teachers and the state increasingly tasked with mitigating the emotional and psychological damage inflicted on young minds. The societal reflection on this issue is crucial, as the undisciplined and violent behavior of children often mirrors the actions of adults, including leaders who engage in vitriolic political discourse. The normalization of aggression and hostility in public spheres, amplified by instant communication, sends a dangerous message to impressionable children. Teachers frequently report instances of children mimicking inappropriate adult behavior, underscoring the need for a societal moral overhaul. Addressing this issue requires collective responsibility, as schools alone cannot rectify a problem rooted in broader societal failures. To truly care for our children, we must reevaluate and elevate our moral standards, ensuring behaviors and attitudes that foster their proper upbringing and socialization.

A man has been apprehended in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in Tobago on the morning of November 11. According to a release from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the incident unfolded around 6:15 am on Arnos Vale Road in Plymouth. The victim, who was at his workplace in Courland, Black Rock, was approached by an armed individual dressed in black. The suspect fired multiple shots at the victim, leading to a physical altercation before fleeing into nearby bushes. Law enforcement agencies, including officers from the Crown Point Police Station, swiftly responded to the scene. A silver Nissan Note car, matching the suspect’s description, was intercepted in the Black Rock area. The suspect was arrested, and a Glock pistol was confiscated. A coordinated operation led by ASP Bacchus, involving the Shirvan Road Police Station’s CID, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), and the Crown Point Police Station, resulted in the recovery of a magazine from the bushy area near the scene. Later, a search of the suspect’s residence in Plymouth yielded six rounds of nine-millimetre calibre ammunition. The suspect remains in custody at the Shirvan Road Police Station as investigations, led by PC Lewis, continue.

The Steel Workers Union (SWU) has lodged an appeal against the Industrial Court’s dismissal of their complaint against the Desalination Company (Desalcott) regarding actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a September 26 ruling, the court’s vice president, Hubert Soverall, and chairman of its Essential Services Division, Larry Achong, upheld Desalcott’s enforcement of pandemic-related measures, deeming it lawful. However, court member Gregory Rousseau dissented, arguing that Desalcott unlawfully locked out workers who refused the COVID-19 vaccine and breached Section 63 of the Industrial Relations Act by implementing a ‘rotation’ policy that sent employees home without pay. Rousseau ordered Desalcott to reinstate affected workers by November 10 and compensate them for lost wages and benefits dating back to June 17, 2021, while also imposing a $20,000 fine. The case originated from a July 2021 union complaint after unvaccinated employees were indefinitely sent home. Rousseau criticized Desalcott for failing to consult workers before making unilateral decisions and replacing their positions in October 2021, effectively terminating their employment without notice. He emphasized that no law authorized employers to place workers on unpaid leave, highlighting the lack of legislative clarity during the pandemic. In contrast, Soverall and Achong ruled that Desalcott acted in compliance with existing laws and government directives, prioritizing public health and worker safety. They acknowledged the challenges posed by rapidly evolving regulations and concluded that Desalcott’s actions were reasonable and consistent with good industrial relations practices. The case underscores the complexities of navigating employment laws during unprecedented public health crises.

In a historic and unanimous decision on November 10, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) endorsed a private motion aimed at improving the mental health and overall well-being of men and boys on the island. The motion, introduced by stand-in Minority Leader Keigon Denoon, was deliberated during the THA’s inaugural International Men’s Day Debate held in Scarborough. This landmark event, commemorating International Men’s Day on November 19, featured young boys and men assuming the roles of assemblymen and councillors in a dynamic and insightful three-and-a-half-hour session, presided over by Akeil Andrews. The motion advocates for the creation of sustainable, multi-sectoral programs to tackle critical issues such as mental health, positive male identity, and the development of healthy coping mechanisms. It also emphasizes the need for collaboration between governmental and non-governmental organizations to strengthen Tobago’s social fabric. Denoon passionately urged members to prioritize the welfare of men and boys over political affiliations, warning of the dire consequences of inaction. He highlighted the systemic neglect of men, calling for gender-specific interventions, including district-based mental health clinics, community mentorship programs, and annual scorecards to track progress. Stand-in THA Chief Secretary Akinlabi Holder supported the motion, stressing the importance of public education campaigns to dismantle harmful societal conditioning and improve men’s mental health. Holder underscored the societal benefits of raising healthy boys rather than repairing broken men, citing international studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of such initiatives.

In response to a series of tragic LPG cylinder explosions that have claimed four lives since April, Dr. Roodal Moonilal, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, has emphasized the urgent need for technological advancements and stricter regulatory oversight to mitigate such risks. Speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce of TT (AmCham TT) Health, Safety, Security & Environment conference on November 11, Moonilal declared that these incidents ‘must come to an end.’ He has directed the ministry to collaborate with the National Petroleum (NP) and other regulators to investigate the recent accidents and implement tighter controls. The findings from these investigations are expected to significantly improve safety practices in the use of LPG. Moonilal also announced that NP’s subsidiary operations will undergo a comprehensive review, and draft LPG regulations and licenses are in the final stages of preparation. NP has been instructed to ensure that all cylinders supplied by its subsidiary, Natpet, are thoroughly inspected for leaks or defects. Additionally, the TT Bureau of Standards is set to reconvene and advance draft national LPG standards for public comment. The minister highlighted the availability of various safety technologies, such as LPG monitoring systems that detect leaks, shut off gas supply, and provide immediate alarms, as well as blast-proof technology that can be integrated into cylinders to reduce explosion risks. NP has publicly pledged its cooperation with authorities and is currently reviewing its standards and internal processes. Moonilal questioned the underutilization of such technologies and affirmed the government’s commitment to pursuing legislative, technical, and enforcement measures to address the issue.