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It is usual for all attention to be put on Tubal Uriah Butler on Labour Day. This year, however, my thoughts were on CLR James, who is arguably our outstanding contribution to political philosophy.
In 1962, he wrote an insightful piece called Party Politics in the West Indies, in which he counselled:
(via Thefamouspeople.com.)
“We live in a tremendously disturbed world. We are a very small and insignificant part of it. But there is much that we can be and do on a national and even an international scale.
“What that is or can be, we shall never be able to find out far less carry out unless the people are politically organised. Even when they elect the government of their choice, they have to remain politically alert and make it clear that they are not to be bamboozled, trifled with or pushed around.
“Any government that is not aware of the power of the people is bound to be a bad government; that is to say, it will fool you, cheat you, and, if need be, reduce you to hewers of wood and drawers of water, and without mercy keep you in what it considers to be your place.”
He observed: “The [Caribbean] islands have been an epitome of capitalist development… It is as if on these islands, history had concentrated in tabloid form the story of four hundred years of capitalist civilisation.” (James, 1943, pp 117–18.)
One of the gatekeepers of political awareness is our union leaders. They represent the interests of the working class within the electorate, serving as a collective voice that politicians sometimes seek to appease.
In the heady atmosphere of the first Labour Day celebration under the new UNC administration, it is wise for the labour leaders to ponder on James’ wisdom. We are living in more tumultuous times, and we remain bit players in the global political and economic games.
Photo: UNC.
Now that the labour movement has been accepted as a partner in the UNC administration, it has the responsibility to ensure that it is not marginalised. The movement must understand the persistent nature of capitalism in all its forms.
In 2023, Labour’s position was: “The labour movement will continue to argue that we must find a path that can successfully reduce the political influence of the elite… We must demand that more transparent and accountable government policies be promoted.”
The lack of a concise definition of “the elite” causes us to miss the fact that we are witnessing a civil war within local capitalism. Labour leaders ought not to be fooled by the use of the ‘1%’ label.
The persistent trick of modern politics is to disguise economic and political conflicts as cultural conflicts. (Monbiot and Hutchinson, 2024.)
Michael Manley, the former prime minister of Jamaica and a former vice-president of the Socialist International, demonstrated to his readers how the international trade system works and the role of their countries within it.
Of particular interest is the chapter entitled The Money Bind, in which he explained how Jamaica fell into the debt trap when bauxite prices collapsed. (Manley, 1987, p 141-169).
He identified the structural weaknesses and imbalances of the economy that bauxite investment inflows masked during the 1950s and 1960s. He noted the increase in imports and capital flight as part of the root causes of the problem.
A crisis in the sugar industry also contributed to the inability to service the budget deficits. Our 2025 fiscal situation bears a striking resemblance to that period in Jamaica.
Unless our labour leaders, like Manley, can dissect positions, they run the risk of miscalculating who is really on their side. They should never forget the fable of The Scorpion and the Frog.
“The government can be your friend for a while and against your common enemies, but, eventually, the government will sting you just as the scorpion stung the frog in the famous fable recounted above.”
In 2013, the-then Finance Minister Larry Howai said:
“The transformation of Trinidad and Tobago into a modern high-performing engine of growth would require a fiscal regime which would enhance the competitiveness and productivity of the national economy, in particular, the non-oil economy while at the same time generating appropriate public revenues to meet our acknowledged commitments.”
Photo: UNC.
The IMF 2024 Article IV Consultation highlights that Trinidad and Tobago is undergoing a gradual and sustained economic recovery.
“Boosting non-energy revenues is essential, given the projected decline in energy revenues. This could be achieved by stepping up the efforts to operationalise the Revenue Authority (TTRA) and the gambling tax. In this regard, staff welcomes the rollout of the property tax.
“Also, a comprehensive VAT reform to eliminate extensive zero-ratings, exemptions, and selective tax incentives could yield substantial revenues.
“Addressing weaknesses in tax compliance and administration, in line with IMF technical assistance (TA) recommendations, remains a priority—eg, establishing a reliable taxpayer register, auditing the stock of VAT refunds (at about 3.4 percent of GDP as of end-January 2024); and improving filing, payments, and arrears management.”
Were the repeal of the TTRA Act and the Property tax entirely the result of Union wooing?
In 2018, Dr Dilip Dan said: “Our people did not see rent as a sensible option, so they became land and property owners, and this today is the envy of many. They worked tirelessly to build their homes by using and investing every cent earned and did not squander it.
“Today, this success is targeted, and some may even go so far as to suggest that this property tax is targeted primarily at East Indians.”
Ved Seereram joined Dr Dan. However, Afra Raymond demonstrated the gaps in their arguments.
Raymond further noted, with the help of published data: “The objections from the Opposition elements are bemusing, to say the least, given the pattern of tax collections.
“Plainly, when the UNC was in power in the period 1995-2001, there was a dramatic and unexplained decline in the collections of Land & Building Taxes. That decline was reversed when the UNC left office.”
Taxation is a price that we pay for a civilised society to provide social equity and promote economic competitiveness. Its administration reflects the nature of our society.
Trinidad and Tobago is losing TT$8 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue annually due to improper compliance by the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) and policy decisions that led to revisions of the zero-rated list.
The Privy Council ruled in the Dhoray case that “there is no suggestion that the creation of the Authority was a device or a sham, and there are effective safeguards to protect the staff and officers of the Authority and members of the public from executive interference.”
The May 2025 TADAT report opens with this statement: “The IRD is facing significant challenges, including the lack of operational planning, low staff morale, and an erosion of institutional knowledge.
“A new institution can circumvent the entrenched inefficiencies of the current structure, allowing for the adoption of modern business practices and leadership principles.
“Furthermore, a new institution can have its foundations based on a reform-based organisational culture, fostering accountability and enhancing employee morale.”
It adds: “Tax arrears pose a serious threat to both fiscal stability and IRD’s credibility, with increasing debt levels, over 90 percent of them are more than a year old.”
The Report argues: “Creating a framework that promotes a system of meritocracy and allows for the adoption of modern HR policies is required, as the current public service rules and regulations have hindered specific HR policies that align with IRD needs.
“By basing promotions on skills, achievements, and contributions, the new institution will incentivise higher performance.”
The underlying causes for the BIR’s underperformance are all spelt out in the Report.
Have the trade unions read the 2025 TADAT Report? Will the Unions be comfortable with tax evasion flourishing?
Tax corruption results in a loss of tax revenue, making it more challenging to fund public goods and services for the poor. Have the Unions asked who benefits from tax revenue losses?
Photo: UNC.
Meanwhile, they wait to hear “what’s forthcoming with public servants’ payments and other labour issues”— even after a two-year planning period. (Express, 20 June 2025).
Will the country be better off? Every man for himself does not build a country.
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