“[…] This development raises once again the need for constitutional reform to put the necessary mechanisms in place to prevent issues like these from raising their heads and creating doubt in the minds of ordinary citizens about whether decisions being made are really honourable. “Surely, recommendations for your own salary …
Read More »Daly Bread: Deflections and delusions, as General Election beckons
Contemporaneously with critical commentaries, the Prime Minister last Sunday attempted certain deflections of the Government’s decision—despite the parlous state of our finances—to accept for its members the hefty salary increases and backpay, which the Salaries Review Commission recommended (the SRC increases). However, it is reasonable to hold this Government accountable …
Read More »Dear Editor: PNM will lose moral authority—and elections—if it implements SRC recommendations
“[…] The Cabinet has adopted the same arguments advanced by trade unionists in support of their claims for hefty increases in the remuneration packages of their members. “The SRC surveyed the local, regional and international environment and discovered that the remuneration packages of those under its purview were wholly inadequate …
Read More »Dear Editor: Gov’t out of touch with proposed salary hikes for politicians
“[…] A glaring example of this disconnect is the Government’s approach to wage negotiations. While public servants are offered a mere 5% salary increase for 2020–2022—a proposal so meager it was sent to the Industrial Court—the Salaries Review Commission (SRC) has recommended massive raises for top officials. “[…] These increases, …
Read More »Noble: Understanding the now; facing the future—T&T needs data to advance
What do Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s rebuke of the civil servants and the closure of Chaguanas’ MovieTowne have in common? Are these connected to the car tax exemptions furore? Why is there chatter about the foreign exchange rate and fear of liquidity and solvency for businesses and our government …
Read More »Frau Kamla ‘Blatters’ Rowley over controversial Pension amendments
Blatter (verb: copyright Wired868) To mask ruthless, calculating intent behind veneer of simplistic incompetence; To play the sap until opponent is exposed and then strike with clinical precision. In the media, there were reports of a climb-down from the political leader and an about-turn in the face of persistent and …
Read More »Own Goals and Penalties: Did PP and PNM subvert Constitution on pensions?
Sometimes the beauty of a goal is in its build up, not the scoring. Last week, on June 14, Trinidad Express journalist Ria Taitt revealed that the Lower House (MPs) had just approved amendments to two bills, which would give themselves fat new pensions. The story took about 48 hours to really …
Read More »