“[…] Banks in Trinidad and Tobago have been practically pushing their customers to do their banking business online. But how can seniors and persons with disabilities do this when, for the most part, they have neither the knowledge nor the resources to do this? “[…] Even after I made my …
Read More »Roget accused of ‘inciting racial hatred’ against media; JTUM: It was ‘class critique’ not race
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) today referred Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) leader Ancel Roget to the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) for ‘racist remarks directed towards certain members of the media fraternity’ during a JTUM press conference at Paramount Building, San Fernando on 4 August. Roget, while …
Read More »PEA claims ignorance of reporter’s race before ‘half pint house negro’ slur, case heads to Tribunal
A case of racially-charged ‘offensive behaviour’ filed by TV6 journalist Kejan Haynes against then Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) political leader Phillip Edward Alexander will be referred to a Tribunal for adjudication, after the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) rejected Alexander’s defence and a conciliatory meeting between the two parties failed to …
Read More »Claude’s comments: Only Africans forced to deny heritage to be ‘appropriately groomed’; that must stop!
The following is the final instalment in Dr Claudius Fergus’ three part series on African textured hair: a historical, cultural and legislative perspective: Unlike what obtains in many Caribbean Commonwealth states, Trinidad and Tobago’s Education Act does not define responsibilities of students or speak to the obligations of principals toward …
Read More »Claude’s Comments: Education Ministry is allowing discrimination against African hair
One does not have to be a legal expert to recognise that hair-shaming, such as reported in the St Stephen’s College incident, is a violation of our Constitution—‘the supreme law of Trinidad and Tobago’ (Article 2). I want to submit further that the incident is also a clear violation of …
Read More »Dear Editor: How equal was the Equal Opportunity Tribunal?
“I could understand if the claim was dismissed because Mr [Rishi Persad] Maharaj listed the wrong entity as his employer. I could understand if the claim was dismissed because sexual harassment is not currently illegal based on our current legislation. I could even understand if it was dismissed once the …
Read More »Demming: T&T women need sexual harassment legislation not policy! #Metoo passed us by
In 2017, Barbados passed legislation which will provide for the protection of employees in both the public sector and private sector from sexual harassment in the workplace. The Bill further provides a framework for the reporting of sexual harassment cases by employees and a method of resolving such cases. In …
Read More »Dear Editor: Those pesky human rights; gov’t must review treatment of refugees and LGBTQI
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GTT) behaves as if human rights are an annoyance. Two clear examples are the issue of rights of refugees and the LGBT community’s right to be treated equally under the Equal Opportunity Act 2000 (EOA). Oh, lest I forget, the EOA’s section 3 (interpretation) …
Read More »EOC: Denying employment on religious grounds is illegal; SMDS: EOC is soliciting Nafisah and has proven bias
“Members of the public are reminded that denying employment to someone on the basis of their religion may constitute discrimination, and is prohibited by the Equal Opportunity Act. “[…] Persons who have been subjected to discrimination in their employment, on the basis of their religion—or any other status ground—can lodge …
Read More »Rebellion in the ranks: Sunity looks at conditions that give rise to political outsiders
The US reality TV show now playing on screens everywhere as The Republican Primaries, brings to a head some very large questions about the nature of the democratic political system and its capacity for delivering the promises of democracy. This American Spring of Republican rebellion has caught the US political …
Read More »Gally’s farewell: Football icon rules himself out of future TTFA role
It is a shame that unscrupulous characters have continuously been allowed to stifle the progress of Trinidad and Tobago’s football for the financial gain of themselves and their cliques. Even though I have been victimized by these small-time tyrants for my integrity, strength of character and seriousness and having a …
Read More »Is Tobago racist or is Rampersad an idiot?
The TOP was not routed in Tobago because it is an uninspiring bunch steered by a leader, Ashworth Jack, of questionable integrity and chained to a People’s Partnership that it is dogged by corruption and which treats the electorate as mindless voting machines. Not even close. Tobago voted against TOP …
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