标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a move that has sent shockwaves through Trinidad and Tobago’s entertainment sector, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has imposed a ban on all fetes and Carnival-related events at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) and other Udecott-controlled facilities. The decision, announced on November 12, has been met with fierce criticism from the TT Promoters Association (TTPA), which labeled the move as “destructive, short-sighted, and a death knell for the entertainment industry.” The TTPA has called for an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister to reconsider the ban, but Persad-Bissessar has firmly stated that the decision is final and irreversible. The ban, which took immediate effect, has left many promoters scrambling to find alternative venues just three months before Carnival. The BLCA, located on the outskirts of San Fernando, has long been a hub for major Carnival events, including Stink and Dutty, Xperience, and Naps Fete. While the Prime Minister cited noise pollution and its impact on nearby residents as the primary reason for the ban, the TTPA argued that the decision was made without proper consultation and could devastate the local economy. The association highlighted that Carnival events employ over 100,000 people across various sectors, including artists, musicians, and security personnel. Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin defended the decision, emphasizing the need to balance cultural celebrations with community well-being. Meanwhile, San Fernando mayor Robert Parris sees the ban as an opportunity to revitalize the city’s entertainment sector, with Skinner Park poised to become a new focal point for large-scale events.

On November 13, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Vandana Mohit, visited the Sewa TT Clothing Recycle Project 2025 at the Divali Nagar site in Chaguanas. This annual initiative, which focuses on recycling and redistributing clothing, is set to benefit over 6,000 individuals, including 1,100 directly supported by the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services (MPSDFS).

The project, a collaboration between the ministry and Sewa TT, aims to identify NGOs, transitional facilities, and vulnerable clients to ensure the clothing reaches those in need. Minister Mohit praised Sewa TT for its dedication to social responsibility and volunteerism, emphasizing how the initiative promotes sustainability while restoring dignity and comfort to the less fortunate.

In a press release, the ministry highlighted the significance of such partnerships, stating, ‘This project reflects the power of collaboration and compassion. It is a shining example of how partnerships between government and civil society can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.’ The release also underscored the ministry’s broader mission to strengthen ties with NGOs and community organizations, fostering a more inclusive and caring society.

Accompanied by Cindy Heeralal, NGO unit coordinator at MPSDFS, and Sewa TT president Revan Teelucksingh, Minister Mohit toured the project site, witnessing firsthand the preparation and distribution of clothing. The event showcased the collective efforts of volunteers and officials, reinforcing the importance of community-driven initiatives in addressing social challenges.

In the midst of escalating tensions between the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela, Archbishop Jason Charles Gordon has called for the nation to prioritize faith over fear, which has been amplified by social media. Speaking during a Mass on November 9 to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain and the 174th anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Gordon drew parallels between the challenges faced by the late Archbishop Anthony Pantin and the current geopolitical unrest. He emphasized that while the nation faces international conflict rather than internal political strife, faith in God remains the cornerstone of hope. Gordon’s remarks coincide with Venezuela’s large-scale military readiness exercise involving 200,000 soldiers, which coincided with the arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, in the Caribbean. Since September, the US has conducted military operations in the southern Caribbean Sea, targeting narco-terrorists with 17 strikes resulting in approximately 70 deaths. US President Trump has also declared that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s days are numbered, a stance supported by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Archbishop Gordon urged the faithful to place their trust in God rather than being swayed by social media. He reflected on the Catholic Church’s 175-year history of enduring trials, including political upheaval, social unrest, and now potential military conflict. Gordon concluded with a call to focus on God, emphasizing that faith and hope lie in divine hands. The Mass ended with prayers for the government and a plea for peace in the Caribbean through dialogue and collaboration.

A recent ruling by the Privy Council has exposed significant gaps in Trinidad and Tobago’s occupational safety framework, prompting calls for urgent reforms. Anna Henderson, President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AmCham TT), emphasized the need for modernization during her keynote address at the 29th Annual Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) Conference in Port of Spain on November 11. The September ruling clarified that workplace safety charges must be filed within six months of an incident coming to the attention of an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) inspector, replacing the previously assumed two-year window. While civil cases retain the longer timeframe, criminal offenses and safety breaches are now subject to the stricter six-month limit. Henderson warned that delayed prosecutions could be dismissed, placing pressure on the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) to act swiftly. She urged the full operationalization of OSHA with an independent board, stressing that unresolved cases risk eroding public trust and hinder learning from past incidents. Henderson also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and climate readiness in building resilient workplaces. She cited the corporate downfalls of Kodak, Blockbuster, and Skype as cautionary tales, emphasizing that innovation is essential for survival. The conference theme, “HSSE 360: Innovation for Resilience,” underscored the need to integrate safety and sustainability into every business decision. Henderson advocated for predictive systems using AI to anticipate risks, detect hazards in real time, and enhance decision-making. However, she cautioned that technological advancements also introduce vulnerabilities, noting that citizens lost over US$3.3 million to online fraud between October 2024 and September 2025. Henderson called for cybersecurity to be a core component of HSSE strategies, stating, “Cyber resilience is now human resilience.” She also linked corporate resilience to climate readiness, referencing the recent impact of Hurricane Melissa and urging businesses to adopt climate-smart systems and adaptive continuity plans. Henderson framed resilience as a proactive approach, encouraging companies to break down silos, empower employees, and foster cultures of trust and accountability. She concluded with a call to action, urging participants to create workplaces that protect lives, enable progress, and build a society where every citizen feels safe and valued.