Morning Edition: 04th October 2023

CCNTV6

Watch Morning Edition: 04th October 2023 - CCNTV6 on Dailymotion

Transcript

00:00:00 (upbeat music)

00:00:02 - And a very special good morning Trinidad and Tobago

00:00:15 and the rest of the world.

00:00:16 I'm Marlon Hopkinson and welcome to another edition

00:00:19 of the Morning Edition, right?

00:00:21 It's good to have you and it's good to always speak with you

00:00:25 and we do appreciate your viewership every day.

00:00:28 So has the budget, the details of the budget,

00:00:32 have those details sunken in yet?

00:00:35 You've thought about it?

00:00:36 Well, let me tell you, we have a packed program

00:00:39 for you today and we are going to be looking

00:00:43 at some of the main issues in the budget again.

00:00:46 All right, it's budget week so we'll be discussing it

00:00:49 to again, as I say, flesh out the details in it.

00:00:53 All right, so let's check out the front page

00:00:55 of the Daily Express.

00:00:58 All right, so Column considers sales tax

00:01:01 to deal with refunds, that headache.

00:01:05 And there's a picture there, Post Budget Forum.

00:01:07 President of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers

00:01:09 Association, Roger Roach, from Left Greets Finance,

00:01:12 Minister Column member, while Economist,

00:01:14 Dr. Ronald Ramke-Soon and EY Executive Chairman,

00:01:19 Wade George, look on at TTMA's Post Budget Forum

00:01:23 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain yesterday.

00:01:26 And Passad, the Food King owner, wife beaten and robbed.

00:01:31 All right, let's take in some sport now.

00:01:35 No Puran Red Force to contest Super 50

00:01:37 without 2022 skipper.

00:01:40 Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will start their quest

00:01:43 for a 13th CG United Super 50 title

00:01:48 without the services of star batter, Nicholas Puran.

00:01:52 So some of the stories making the news today

00:01:55 in the Trinidad Express, yeah?

00:01:58 So, here's what.

00:02:00 You have your coffee, you have your tea,

00:02:03 get something to eat, and we are coming back again

00:02:06 to discuss the budget of Monday.

00:02:09 We're coming back.

00:02:10 (upbeat music)

00:02:25 - Clarity, it's what we want for our vision.

00:02:28 Whether we're working in the office,

00:02:30 during our nighttime commute, or watching our TV.

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00:02:39 The advanced technology in your new eyeglasses

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00:02:43 - Help the world see you better.

00:02:45 - And enhance the way you see the world.

00:02:47 Value Optical, expert care for your eyes.

00:02:54 St. James Secondary Alumni Association

00:02:57 invites you to head on down to St. James Secondary School

00:03:00 on Saturday, 7th October, 2023, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

00:03:04 for a pop-up market with fantastic products and services

00:03:08 and a health fair where you will receive

00:03:10 free health screening done by the NWRHA,

00:03:13 Diabetes Association, and 2020 Optical Limited.

00:03:16 Bring your family and friends along.

00:03:19 Vendors register now.

00:03:20 Limited space left from $200.

00:03:23 (upbeat music)

00:03:26 (speaking in foreign language)

00:03:30 - Beyond the Tape, weekdays at 5.30 p.m.

00:03:55 - You know what, if I go in and give a dollar,

00:03:57 walk in and give help, I had to know where it going,

00:03:59 I had to see it for myself.

00:04:01 So I look around and I realize, wait now,

00:04:03 Habitat for Humanity, Trinidad and Tobago,

00:04:06 is building house for people, you understand what I said?

00:04:09 And they're taking everything, you understand?

00:04:11 You could get money, you could get brick,

00:04:13 bag of cement, some tin set, some grout,

00:04:16 whatever you have, you understand?

00:04:17 They're taking it.

00:04:18 If I give my time and my money there,

00:04:20 not to say I have any big set of money,

00:04:21 you understand me?

00:04:23 I could know for sure that a family in this country

00:04:27 is going and get a home.

00:04:30 And that is why I say Habitat for Humanity, Trinidad and Tobago

00:04:33 is doing the kind of work that I feel

00:04:35 that I could get behind, you understand?

00:04:37 Put my money behind, my sweat behind,

00:04:39 call my friend and them and say,

00:04:39 "Come, let me go and make a line

00:04:41 "and build a house for a family."

00:04:43 (upbeat music)

00:04:46 (gentle music)

00:04:49 - Slavery, a terrible time in our history.

00:04:59 The kidnapping, buying and selling of people for profit,

00:05:03 the exploitation of another human being.

00:05:06 It still exists today.

00:05:08 It has a new name, human trafficking.

00:05:11 Anyone can be a victim.

00:05:13 There is forced labor.

00:05:16 Sexual exploitation and domestic servitude.

00:05:20 Human trafficking is a worldwide problem

00:05:24 and an emerging concern for us here in Trinidad and Tobago.

00:05:27 If you know of or suspect human trafficking activity,

00:05:32 call the counter trafficking hotline at 800-4CTU

00:05:36 or 800-4288.

00:05:38 Human trafficking is a crime.

00:05:42 Identify it, report it, stop it.

00:05:45 A message from the counter trafficking unit

00:05:47 of the Ministry of National Security.

00:05:49 (upbeat music)

00:05:53 - So welcome back everyone.

00:06:06 As I told you earlier, we are going to be discussing

00:06:09 the details of the budget

00:06:13 as announced by the finance minister,

00:06:15 Col. Imbert on Monday.

00:06:18 All right, so we do have a packed show for you today

00:06:21 with a few of the stakeholders

00:06:24 that are going to be giving their views.

00:06:28 All right, so what we can do,

00:06:30 I believe we do have the minister of labor on the line.

00:06:34 Good morning, Minister Stephen McClatchy.

00:06:36 Hello, good morning.

00:06:43 All right, we are going to work out that.

00:06:45 All right, so we do have the minister of labor.

00:06:47 He's going to join us very, very soon.

00:06:50 Allocated $440 million for 2024,

00:06:53 AG's office spends $195 million in legal fees.

00:06:58 So the ministry of the attorney general

00:07:01 has spent $195 million in legal fees

00:07:05 according to the estimates of recurrent expenditure for 2024.

00:07:12 And another story today in the Express,

00:07:14 ministries get more funding to cover 4% wage hike.

00:07:19 One of the main stories coming out of the budget

00:07:22 is this issue of the minimum wage.

00:07:27 You would think it is the biggest story

00:07:32 coming out of the budget,

00:07:33 because again, it is touching people.

00:07:35 And while some people may feel it is maybe a simple thing,

00:07:39 but there is much debate concerning that matter.

00:07:44 And I suspect in the next few minutes,

00:07:48 we will try to raise that with the minister of labor,

00:07:52 because already you would remember that the trade unions,

00:07:55 they were calling for what, $30, right?

00:07:58 They got $3.

00:08:00 So they're not very happy about it.

00:08:05 And we also do have a representative

00:08:08 of the trade union movement on the program today.

00:08:11 So we will also get the trade unions view on that.

00:08:16 I know that they're not very happy with that, okay?

00:08:22 So let me see what's happening in the newspaper again

00:08:26 for you today.

00:08:28 Judge laments trial backlog.

00:08:33 A high court judge lamented the backlog of murder trials

00:08:38 to be done with figures reaching triple digits,

00:08:40 even as several murder accused are willing to plead guilty

00:08:43 for the offense and this backlog in the court.

00:08:47 I mean, how long will we discuss the backlog in the court?

00:08:52 It would seem that for the past, I don't know,

00:08:54 maybe 20 years we have been discussing that.

00:08:57 And we have been discussing avenues

00:09:00 by which you can address the backlog.

00:09:04 I know that they would have spoken about new courts

00:09:08 in the past and night courts and all sorts of things.

00:09:12 But again, I think that the problem in Trinidad and Tobago

00:09:15 has always been the issue of implementation.

00:09:18 So we talk, we talk, we talk, we talk,

00:09:22 we have news conferences, we have all sorts of events

00:09:25 and we talk, but at the end of the day,

00:09:30 there has to be implementation because all it will be

00:09:34 is it's going for naught, it's just talk.

00:09:37 Ganja sweets sicken pupils.

00:09:40 Oh, that's not here, that's in Kingston, Jamaica.

00:09:44 So police have called on an unidentified vendor

00:09:47 to report to them as investigations continue

00:09:51 into an incident that resulted in several students

00:09:54 being rushed to the St. Anne's Bay Hospital

00:09:57 on the north coast of the island

00:09:59 after consuming sweets laced with marijuana.

00:10:04 Now that's a situation that is also causing concern

00:10:08 in Trinidad and Tobago because in most cases,

00:10:11 it is not that these sweets,

00:10:15 these items are being prepared at factories

00:10:19 where there's, let's say, a lab

00:10:21 and people are using science to mix the ingredients together

00:10:26 and using the right amount of whatever in the sweets.

00:10:33 In most cases in Trinidad, it is being done at home.

00:10:38 So it's however someone feels, how much they feel,

00:10:42 how much weed they feel to put into the items,

00:10:46 that's what they're doing.

00:10:47 There's no science to it.

00:10:48 You know, you just throw it in

00:10:52 and what happens happens at the end of the day.

00:10:54 And that, as I say, continues to be a problem

00:10:58 that our children are using it, they are consuming it.

00:11:03 And in some cases, they are ending up at the hospital

00:11:06 or in a lot of cases,

00:11:08 they are acting strangely all over the place.

00:11:11 Yesterday, and it's not a child I'm speaking about,

00:11:14 but yesterday, I was on Arrio Pita Avenue

00:11:19 and there was this gentleman.

00:11:23 He does not look homeless.

00:11:25 Maybe about nine o'clock yesterday morning.

00:11:28 And the gentleman, he is bareback.

00:11:31 He has a chain around his neck.

00:11:33 His hair was neatly combed.

00:11:36 He has a jeans, a pair of jeans on

00:11:40 and he's in the middle of the road.

00:11:42 You know where Sweet Lime used to be?

00:11:45 Yeah, the Mascam Pub, that intersection.

00:11:47 And he's standing up in the middle of the road,

00:11:49 nine o'clock in the morning, yeah?

00:11:52 So this situation of the drugs,

00:11:59 it is having a serious impact on our society

00:12:03 in Trinidad and Tobago and I don't know that,

00:12:05 and I've said it on the evening program,

00:12:08 on the afternoon program.

00:12:10 I think that with the decriminalization of the,

00:12:15 how much it is, 30 grams of marijuana

00:12:19 in Trinidad and Tobago,

00:12:20 I don't know that it was well thought out

00:12:25 for implementation and I don't know that the results

00:12:29 that we are getting today,

00:12:31 that those are the desired results.

00:12:35 That is what we expected and I suspect

00:12:37 there has to be a review of that, okay?

00:12:40 So, all right, so we are going to begin

00:12:45 a series of interviews for this morning.

00:12:49 We do have on the line this morning,

00:12:52 we do have Pastor Clive Doughton,

00:12:54 a gentleman known to all of you

00:12:56 and we do have Mr. Trevor Johnson.

00:13:00 He is representing JATOM.

00:13:04 So, ah, look the pastor is there

00:13:06 and we do have Mr. Johnson.

00:13:08 But Mr. Johnson, let's begin with you.

00:13:11 Good morning.

00:13:12 - So, all right, so we are going to begin

00:13:16 a series of interviews for this morning.

00:13:20 We do have on the line--

00:13:21 - All right, Mr. Johnson, is it possible

00:13:23 that you can turn down the audio on your equipment there?

00:13:26 I think we're getting some level of delay and feedback.

00:13:31 - He is representing JATOM.

00:13:34 - All right, Mr. Johnson, you're hearing me?

00:13:41 - Good morning.

00:13:42 - Hey, yes, yeah, good morning, Marlon.

00:13:45 - Yes, all right, Mr. Johnson,

00:13:47 well, over the past few weeks,

00:13:49 we have been discussing the issue of the minimum wage.

00:13:53 At that time, the trade union movement,

00:13:55 they were calling for a $30 minimum wage.

00:13:59 The minimum wage has gone up by $3.

00:14:01 What's your view this morning?

00:14:04 All right, is Mr. Johnson hearing me?

00:14:15 All right, I don't know that he's hearing me.

00:14:24 Could we go to a very short break, studio?

00:14:26 Yeah, let's come back.

00:14:27 All right, we'll be right back, everybody.

00:14:29 - TV6 presents the East Indian Music, Dance,

00:14:40 and Tasse finals of the Prime Minister's

00:14:42 Best Village Trophy Competition.

00:14:44 Tune in for the spectacular showcase

00:14:46 from the best of the best

00:14:47 in the East Indian cultural categories,

00:14:50 including devotional dance, influence dance,

00:14:54 devotional song, folk medley, and tassa.

00:14:58 You don't want to miss this

00:14:59 as the cream of the crop take to the stage.

00:15:02 It's the East Indian Music, Dance, and Tasse finals

00:15:04 of the Prime Minister's Best Village Trophy Competition

00:15:07 on CCN TV6.

00:15:10 Shop online at caterpro.tt

00:15:14 for all your catering equipment needs.

00:15:16 Available now, stainless steel tables from 10.95,

00:15:18 display warmers from 15.95,

00:15:20 and chafing dishes for 2.95.

00:15:22 Call 318-COOK, caterpro.tt

00:15:25 for your restaurant equipment and supplies.

00:15:27 - The 2023 Jazz Concert Series

00:15:30 for the Holy Trinity Cathedral Restoration Project

00:15:32 is going down south.

00:15:34 Saturday, October 21st, 7 p.m. at Sapper.

00:15:37 South's first lady of jazz, Fonette Bigford,

00:15:40 welcomes steel pan virtuoso Dr. Ray Holman,

00:15:43 ace musician, Leston Paul,

00:15:45 and the legendary Brother Valentino.

00:15:47 Tickets go on sale at the Sapper box office

00:15:50 Thursday, September 28th, online at suntics.com/events,

00:15:54 or call 288-TIXX,

00:15:57 or Sapper box office 219-7272, extension 6015.

00:16:02 General seating, 200, VIP, 300.

00:16:06 A night of great music for a great cause.

00:16:09 See you at Sapper.

00:16:11 - Morning. - Morning.

00:16:15 - Listen, I just noticed something out.

00:16:18 There are new people at the bar bureau today.

00:16:20 - What is that?

00:16:21 - Girl, the man is passing up and down

00:16:23 in front of here with a set of women.

00:16:25 - I really noticed some women living there, you know?

00:16:28 And they can't even say as much as good morning.

00:16:30 - Well, listen, I wonder if it's human trafficking.

00:16:33 You think it's that?

00:16:35 - So, how can you spot and identify perpetrators

00:16:38 and victims of trafficking?

00:16:40 Many victims are found living and working together

00:16:42 in the same place and sleep in shared

00:16:44 and inappropriate spaces.

00:16:46 Victims work excessively long hours.

00:16:49 They often sleep in the daytime and work long nights.

00:16:52 They are often escorted everywhere they go

00:16:54 and may appear to be malnourished.

00:16:57 They may show signs of physical abuse, drug,

00:16:59 and alcohol use, and may also appear withdrawn,

00:17:02 fearful, or intimidated.

00:17:04 Victims who are migrants are often not in possession

00:17:07 of their identity or immigration documents

00:17:09 and have irregular immigration status.

00:17:12 Perpetrators can be male or female

00:17:15 and may appear to be managing or controlling the victims.

00:17:18 And they may even at times appear to be the victim's

00:17:21 best friend, boyfriend, or employer.

00:17:24 - We are the counter-trafficking unit

00:17:26 of the Ministry of National Security, Trinidad and Tobago,

00:17:30 safeguarding human life.

00:17:32 - Slavery, a terrible time in our history.

00:17:39 The kidnapping, buying and selling of people

00:17:42 for profit, the exploitation of another human being.

00:17:46 It still exists today.

00:17:48 It has a new name, human trafficking.

00:17:51 Anyone can be a victim.

00:17:54 There is forced labor, sexual exploitation,

00:17:58 and domestic servitude.

00:18:00 Human trafficking is a worldwide problem

00:18:04 and an emerging concern for us here in Trinidad and Tobago.

00:18:09 - If you know of or suspect human trafficking activity,

00:18:13 call the counter-trafficking hotline at 800-4CTU or 800-4288.

00:18:18 Human trafficking is a crime.

00:18:22 Identify it, report it, stop it.

00:18:25 A message from the counter-trafficking unit

00:18:27 of the Ministry of National Security.

00:18:29 - All right, everyone, I think that we have addressed

00:18:38 those technical issues that we have been having.

00:18:40 So welcome back, let's begin our discussion.

00:18:43 It's a post-budget discussion this morning.

00:18:46 We are joined by JATOM Assistant General Secretary,

00:18:49 Mr. Trevor Johnson.

00:18:50 We also have Pastor Clive Doughton.

00:18:53 We have Minister of Labor, Stephen McClatchy.

00:18:56 And we do have the President of the Agricultural Society,

00:18:59 Darrell Rampersad.

00:19:01 Gentlemen, good morning,

00:19:01 and thank you very much for joining us.

00:19:04 - Good morning.

00:19:05 - Morning.

00:19:05 - Morning, Marlon.

00:19:06 - Yes.

00:19:07 - All right, gentlemen, let's begin with Mr. Johnson,

00:19:11 as I attempted to do that earlier.

00:19:12 Mr. Johnson, we have had several discussions

00:19:16 concerning the minimum wage.

00:19:18 I believe months ago,

00:19:20 the members of the trade union movement

00:19:22 were calling for a $30 minimum wage.

00:19:25 The trade union movement, well, employees got a $3 increase.

00:19:30 What's the position of the trade union movement

00:19:34 this morning, sir?

00:19:36 - Yes, thank you for that, Marlon.

00:19:39 And yes, you're correct.

00:19:40 The labor movement did make a recommendation

00:19:44 and a call for the minimum wage to be increased to $30.

00:19:48 And we would have presented, even on this program,

00:19:50 more than one occasion, the justification for that,

00:19:55 given the increases in various key services

00:19:59 and commodities, food prices,

00:20:01 health, the issue of rent or property prices, et cetera.

00:20:06 And we feel, and we still do feel,

00:20:10 that a push towards a $30 minimum wage

00:20:15 would be justifiable,

00:20:17 because what we are looking at is the issue

00:20:19 of a living wage.

00:20:21 A $17.50 minimum wage would have put workers

00:20:25 at the lower end at $2,800 per month.

00:20:28 I think this moves it to somewhere in the realm of $3,200

00:20:31 or thereabouts.

00:20:35 So it's still, in our view,

00:20:38 puts them in a situation where once,

00:20:42 they will be very challenged to meet these basic expenses.

00:20:45 Food prices in particular has been escalating,

00:20:49 spiraling significantly.

00:20:52 So the labor movement does acknowledge

00:20:54 that there was a shift, a $3 increase,

00:20:58 but we do have concerns and strong reservations

00:21:02 whether workers at the lower end

00:21:05 of the salary scale spectrum would be able

00:21:09 to meet their basic living expenses with this.

00:21:13 So our anticipation is that government still needs

00:21:17 to review this particular issue,

00:21:21 and we will continue to advocate accordingly.

00:21:24 - Let's speak now with Minister McClashie,

00:21:28 the Minister of Labor.

00:21:30 Minister, good morning.

00:21:32 Minister, let's look at the minimum wage.

00:21:34 How did government arrive at the $3 increase?

00:21:37 - The process of determining minimum wage,

00:21:42 as you know, we have a minimum wages board

00:21:45 that is under the purview of the Ministry of Labor.

00:21:49 The board would have deliberated.

00:21:51 It's a tripartite plus board,

00:21:54 and there are several representatives

00:21:56 from the business community,

00:22:00 the unions, and so on.

00:22:04 They would have deliberated,

00:22:06 and in fact, they would have recommended,

00:22:10 based on a basket of goods

00:22:13 and the way they determine the wages,

00:22:18 they would have recommended actually a $25 wage increase.

00:22:23 That proposal was taken to cabinet,

00:22:29 and subsequently, we had a number of discussions

00:22:34 between the Ministry of Finance and various stakeholders

00:22:38 on what would a $25 movement look like,

00:22:43 and therefore, as the Prime Minister,

00:22:47 I want to use his analogy, it's like a balloon.

00:22:51 When you squeeze it, you get contouring on both ends,

00:22:56 and therefore, a shift in one really creates issues

00:23:01 in other areas of the economy.

00:23:06 So we have to be very wary

00:23:08 of heating up several parts of the economy,

00:23:15 and in fact, negating what you are trying

00:23:20 or attempting to do, which is to lift the standard

00:23:25 of the workers who are in that particular category.

00:23:30 So when we looked at everything on balance,

00:23:36 we felt that based on the increases

00:23:39 that we would have been making since 2008,

00:23:42 that 17% increase, which equates to $3

00:23:49 and moving it to 2050, was in fact a kind of sweet spot

00:23:54 that would allow for adjustment,

00:23:58 and at the same time, bring the workers' standard

00:24:03 of living up.

00:24:06 - But Minister, is it a fait accompli,

00:24:09 the $3 increase, or is there still room for discussions?

00:24:14 Is there still room for a review?

00:24:18 - There's, as the budget has not been approved,

00:24:24 yes, and therefore, there is,

00:24:28 I suspect there is room for dialogue,

00:24:31 and at the end of the day, after all is said

00:24:36 and we have heard the position of the stakeholders,

00:24:41 I don't want to preempt and say

00:24:47 that the government will adjust,

00:24:50 but certainly we would listen to those

00:24:52 who have a alternative view, and we will present ours.

00:24:56 - Thank you very much, Minister.

00:24:58 Let's go into the area of crime now.

00:25:01 We do have Pastor Clive Doughton.

00:25:03 Of course, you remember that Pastor Doughton

00:25:05 has been doing a lot of work in communities.

00:25:07 He's also a former member

00:25:09 of the Police Service Commission.

00:25:11 Pastor Doughton, good morning.

00:25:12 - Good morning.

00:25:15 - Yes, let's look at the allocation.

00:25:17 Yeah, let's look at the allocation to national security.

00:25:20 Of course, there were various recommendations

00:25:23 made in the budget.

00:25:25 The police commissioner has been mandated,

00:25:28 you know, in the past to recruit 300 people

00:25:32 into the police service.

00:25:33 She now has the opportunity to bring in 1,000 persons

00:25:38 in the police service, recruit them from next year.

00:25:42 Judging from what you have seen in the budget,

00:25:45 re-national security, what's your perspective, Pastor?

00:25:50 - Well, first to begin, Marlon,

00:25:55 let me just state to you at this time

00:25:59 that I have faulted budgets in the past.

00:26:03 And one reason why I have faulted budgets in the past

00:26:08 is that I think the first thing should happen with a budget.

00:26:11 Now, the budget's supposed to give hope

00:26:14 to the most vulnerable in the society, that that is one.

00:26:18 The folks in this case of national security

00:26:21 who need protection, who need hope.

00:26:24 I mean, we have a spiraling crime rate,

00:26:27 and I thought the minister missed a golden opportunity

00:26:32 in his opening statement.

00:26:34 And when I say opening statement,

00:26:35 perhaps the first half an hour of his address,

00:26:38 I think there should have been a review

00:26:41 of what happened in the last year

00:26:43 where the goals and objectives met

00:26:45 and a thorough and profound analysis

00:26:50 of why certain goals weren't achieved.

00:26:53 In terms of national security, this is no secret,

00:26:56 we are faced with a spiraling crime rate

00:26:59 that is increasing astronomically.

00:27:01 I would have thought that very early in his budget address,

00:27:05 because he seemed to be very au courant

00:27:08 with the energy sector and the drilling,

00:27:10 whether it's deep sea drilling or shallow drilling

00:27:14 or land drilling or offshore drilling, et cetera, et cetera.

00:27:17 How many blocks were offered

00:27:18 to which multinational corporations,

00:27:22 including groups like Shell, et cetera.

00:27:24 I didn't get that same assurance

00:27:26 or seem to be dealing with the issue of national security.

00:27:30 I mean, you could have a lot of money assigned,

00:27:35 but it's the management and leadership

00:27:38 of what has been assigned.

00:27:40 I mean, for example, I thought one example

00:27:44 that should have been mentioned

00:27:45 and in terms of a budget provided motivation and hope,

00:27:49 I thought one area that should have been mentioned carefully

00:27:55 was the issue of what happened to that 13-year-old girl,

00:28:00 because it speaks to institutional compromise

00:28:04 and the fact that the criminal element is wasting time.

00:28:08 - All right, I think that we have lost Pastor Dutton

00:28:13 for a little while.

00:28:14 Do we have him back?

00:28:16 - I think I am back.

00:28:17 - Yes, go ahead, Pastor.

00:28:18 - Yes, I'm hearing you.

00:28:21 - Pastor, continue.

00:28:24 - I think the criminal element is moving astronomically

00:28:28 to inject hope into the, hopelessness into the society.

00:28:33 And therefore people are scared,

00:28:35 people are terrified.

00:28:36 And by the way, I thought the minister

00:28:39 should have mentioned the issue of a brain drain.

00:28:42 I am working in eight hotspots with a group called COP

00:28:46 and also with the Scrap Iron Dealers Association,

00:28:49 et cetera, et cetera.

00:28:51 And what we see is that businessmen are closing shop.

00:28:56 There's the issue of the gangs

00:28:57 trying to extort money from businessmen

00:29:00 and what is called a coward tax.

00:29:01 And some businessmen are not paying the tax.

00:29:04 And some businessmen are saying we'll have none of that.

00:29:07 And they're leaving.

00:29:09 And the criminal attacks on business, on home invasions,

00:29:14 what that is leading to is a loss of hope,

00:29:20 a loss of confidence.

00:29:22 I mean, we see institutional weakening.

00:29:25 We have corruption in our security services

00:29:29 on a daily basis.

00:29:30 And what happened with that 13-year-old girl in Arima?

00:29:32 I mean, we have clarity significant

00:29:34 because she was raped last year.

00:29:36 And after she identified the suspect,

00:29:38 she was shot and killed, her uncle was shot and killed,

00:29:41 other families were damaged.

00:29:43 And therefore I expected to hear more of that.

00:29:45 And I also expected to hear more about national service.

00:29:49 We have a ministry of God foster.

00:29:53 - Yes, yes.

00:29:54 All right, Pastor,

00:29:59 we are experiencing some difficulty

00:30:02 with your connection there.

00:30:04 But at this time, I'd like to bring into the discussion

00:30:08 the president of the Agricultural Society,

00:30:10 Mr. Darryl Rampersad.

00:30:12 Mr. Rampersad, to agriculture,

00:30:15 there was an allocation of $1.442 billion.

00:30:20 - Right, so first let me begin by saying

00:30:25 that the Agricultural Society and the sector is hopeful

00:30:29 coming out of the budget that was read for agriculture,

00:30:33 seeing that we got an increase.

00:30:36 For the years going by, we had some decreases.

00:30:38 This year we got an increase in terms of agriculture,

00:30:40 but bearing in mind that this is what is allocated.

00:30:43 This is not as what is going to actually be spent

00:30:47 at the same time too.

00:30:48 Whilst it's commendable that we have these youth programs

00:30:53 in agriculture going on, this is very commendable

00:30:55 that we are transforming the young generation

00:30:59 into agriculture, but are we transforming these youths

00:31:02 to come into a sector that they are going to regret

00:31:05 later on in life?

00:31:06 Because most farmers today don't even want their children

00:31:10 to be involved in agriculture because of the challenges

00:31:13 in which we face in agriculture on a daily basis.

00:31:16 So for example, we spoke about infrastructural development

00:31:21 and $150 million to be allocated for agricultural

00:31:26 infrastructural development, which will be passing

00:31:28 through Palo Seco Agricultural Enterprises.

00:31:32 We also heard about a $250 million that will go towards

00:31:36 the incentive program.

00:31:37 At the same time, we have farmers, registered farmers,

00:31:42 that have claims, incentive claims, over three years now

00:31:45 that have not been paid.

00:31:48 And also we need to address how accessible

00:31:51 is the incentive program, where we have more than 65%

00:31:56 of the farming community being supporters

00:31:58 outside there right now.

00:32:00 Most of the farming community, and I'm speaking

00:32:03 about farmers who are in production,

00:32:05 cannot access the incentive program.

00:32:08 So we also need to look into the matters

00:32:11 as to what drives agriculture, especially in parts

00:32:15 of Toronto, where we have a big population

00:32:18 of the farmers that are squatting.

00:32:20 We need to make these things available to them.

00:32:23 In terms of agricultural infrastructure,

00:32:26 this will also pertain to how equipped are we

00:32:28 to deal with the effects of climate change

00:32:31 recently passing through the heat wave,

00:32:33 seeing how much losses we incurred in terms of livestock,

00:32:36 poultry, and crop in some areas up to 35%.

00:32:40 We need to be equipped to deal with that.

00:32:41 They spoke about one area, which was Plummetown,

00:32:45 that they had a small upgrade in terms of infrastructure, which

00:32:48 was necessary because the bridge actually

00:32:51 collapsed in that area.

00:32:53 But what about the maintenance of agricultural infrastructure

00:32:56 in other areas, such as Drinningham, Philly City,

00:33:00 Tabakita's food basket?

00:33:02 What about these areas, places in Separia?

00:33:05 What is happening in terms of agricultural infrastructure

00:33:08 and development, which is very important?

00:33:11 And we are hopeful, seeing that there was an increase.

00:33:15 And we are looking forward to partnering

00:33:18 with those prisons going forward to benefit the agriculture

00:33:21 sector at the same time.

00:33:24 Yeah.

00:33:24 Mr. Johnson, judging from what the minister has told us

00:33:29 earlier, the minister gives the impression

00:33:31 that they have struck, the government

00:33:33 has struck the right balance when

00:33:35 it comes to the minimum wage.

00:33:39 Well, yes, Marlon.

00:33:41 And I heard he mentioned the issue of a reference

00:33:45 to arriving at a sweet spot.

00:33:49 Labor is still of the view that the minimum wage

00:33:51 needs to be reviewed, as I would have indicated earlier.

00:33:56 Really, when we talk minimum wage,

00:33:58 you still have to put it in the context of a living wage.

00:34:02 And you have to put that in the context, or juxtapose,

00:34:06 with the issue of what your wage income needs to meet.

00:34:12 For example, food prices, transportation, health

00:34:17 services.

00:34:18 And I said, the average person, whether they rent or they want

00:34:22 to-- well, a minimum wage business

00:34:23 is hardly able to engage in any kind of mortgage activity

00:34:27 at present, given the price of real estate, et cetera.

00:34:32 But even rents, we're talking about in Trinidad and Tobago

00:34:36 at the very minimum.

00:34:37 It is almost-- it equates or exceeds the minimum wage level.

00:34:43 So I did hear the minister speak about a recommendation of $25

00:34:48 from the minimum wages board.

00:34:51 And also the fact that perhaps during the course

00:34:54 of the budget debate, maybe with the representations made,

00:35:00 labor is expecting that there would

00:35:03 be some reconsideration of what was announced in the 2024

00:35:10 budget with regard to the minimum wage.

00:35:13 And the maths is clear.

00:35:15 When you do the maths, it's clear

00:35:16 that there's still some level of deficit.

00:35:20 This was a minimum wage, I think,

00:35:22 introduced somewhere in 2019.

00:35:24 We're in 2023, going into 2024.

00:35:27 And when you do the maths with regard

00:35:29 to from the Central Statistical Office,

00:35:32 with regard to food prices and et cetera,

00:35:36 we do need to take a serious review and cognizance

00:35:39 of what these workers at the lower end of the salary

00:35:44 spectrum, what their experiences would be on a daily, or weekly,

00:35:49 or monthly basis, having to meet just basic fundamental living

00:35:54 expenses.

00:35:55 Yeah.

00:35:56 And minister, if you'd allow me to take you

00:35:58 in another direction now, and I'm quoting the finance

00:36:01 minister now, "The unemployment rate

00:36:03 declined to 3.7% over the period April, June 2023,

00:36:07 from 4.9% in January, March 2023.

00:36:11 This rate is one of the lowest unemployment rates ever

00:36:16 achieved in Trinidad and Tobago, and augurs

00:36:19 very well for the future."

00:36:21 Minister, how was this achieved?

00:36:25 Well, the government over the last eight years

00:36:28 would have put in a number of programs

00:36:31 and a number of incentives to businesses.

00:36:35 The government didn't create these jobs,

00:36:38 private enterprise did.

00:36:40 There are a number of different avenues

00:36:45 that people would have taken.

00:36:48 One of the things that would have happened

00:36:50 is people would have moved more into education

00:36:54 and to improving their lot in life.

00:36:58 Once they go into full-time education and so on,

00:37:01 they come out of the statistics with regards

00:37:04 to whether they're in the labor force or not.

00:37:09 The manufacturing sector, if you look at the budget

00:37:13 and you look at the increases in where they are pegged

00:37:18 with regard to contribution to the national economy,

00:37:21 you will note that there has been growth

00:37:23 in the manufacturing sector.

00:37:25 That growth is reflected in jobs and increased jobs and so on.

00:37:33 So that it's not any one magic bullet that would

00:37:37 have created that scenario.

00:37:40 It really is a whole basket of items

00:37:44 spread across many industries and many parts of the economy

00:37:49 that would have contributed little by little

00:37:51 to create that reduction.

00:37:53 Minister, I don't know if you would have seen or heard

00:37:57 the statement of the Employers Consultative Association.

00:38:00 It says, "While this is essentially,"

00:38:03 and it speaks about the data that I gave you a little

00:38:07 earlier, "While this essentially falls

00:38:09 within the realm of full employment,

00:38:11 we remain cautiously optimistic given

00:38:14 that we believe a higher levels of underemployment

00:38:20 that continue to exist."

00:38:22 Well, I am guided by the statistics

00:38:29 of the central statistical office.

00:38:33 And I know that there is a number of areas

00:38:38 that you can focus on and say that there is underemployment

00:38:43 or with regards to people within the job market and so on.

00:38:50 A lot of that is conjecture.

00:38:52 And I would be guided at this point by the CSO statistics.

00:38:59 I am not burying my head in the sand and saying it does not

00:39:02 exist.

00:39:03 I'm not doing that at all.

00:39:05 I think that there may be elements of underemployment

00:39:09 within the national community.

00:39:12 And we will have to treat with those

00:39:15 in ways that are different.

00:39:20 The labor market is quite complex.

00:39:24 And it's not just about having a work.

00:39:27 It's about age.

00:39:29 It's about retirees in your system.

00:39:32 It's about people in education.

00:39:34 It's about the people who are in transition.

00:39:37 A lot of the work being done is gig work,

00:39:41 which is people basically transitioning from one job

00:39:45 to another on several occasions, in several ways, I mean.

00:39:52 Like the service industry, for instance,

00:39:55 people are no longer interested sometimes

00:39:58 in full-time employment.

00:40:00 They prefer to do gigs.

00:40:01 I do a two years here and a three years there.

00:40:04 And therefore, the entire marketplace is changing.

00:40:07 What we have to do is to adopt our policies

00:40:11 and our training and so on, both in,

00:40:15 as you see, in agriculture.

00:40:17 And we mentioned apprenticeship programs and the work

00:40:21 being done by MIC and NESC and so on,

00:40:25 to make people, to upskill them and allow

00:40:29 them to earn higher than minimum wage

00:40:32 and to develop the country, our people,

00:40:38 and the economy in such a way that

00:40:40 redonks the benefit of Trinidad and Tobago.

00:40:43 Yes.

00:40:43 It's not a panacea.

00:40:46 It's not a one thing fits all, you know?

00:40:49 Yes.

00:40:50 Thank you very much, Minister.

00:40:51 Pastor Doughton, let's get back to this issue

00:40:53 of the recruitment of the 1,000 persons and also these vehicles.

00:40:58 Do you think this is going to have any major impact?

00:41:00 Well, I think just hiring 1,000 extra people

00:41:10 in the service will not automatically rebound

00:41:14 to a reduction in crime.

00:41:16 I think the first thing we have to look at

00:41:18 is the function of the police service right now,

00:41:22 the institutional strengthening of it,

00:41:25 with the blessed seapost had to fall out.

00:41:27 And up to now, we haven't got a full report on that.

00:41:30 Then we have the issue of what I would say

00:41:34 is the allegation of corruption in the security services,

00:41:40 including the police service.

00:41:42 And therefore, all that has got to be addressed.

00:41:45 And it could only be addressed with courage.

00:41:48 And that is why I said a budget document must be a symbol

00:41:51 of hope for the country.

00:41:53 The country is, I mean, feeling hard

00:41:55 hit by the inclusion of criminal gangs.

00:41:58 And as we talk about agriculture,

00:42:01 I heard Shiraz can say--

00:42:03 I don't know how true is this-- but I

00:42:04 heard Shiraz can say that the Prede Alasne squad went

00:42:09 from 180 to 30.

00:42:14 Now, that may or may not be true.

00:42:15 But if that is so, we need to strengthen the Prede Alasne

00:42:18 squad.

00:42:19 We need to protect those who are planting.

00:42:21 We have to have a heart for the farmers.

00:42:23 We have to have a heart for people

00:42:25 who are very vulnerable in some areas,

00:42:27 to the invaders, and to the local mafia,

00:42:29 the seasons with the Latin American mafia.

00:42:31 So there's a lot of work to be done.

00:42:33 But I think the biggest problem in our society

00:42:36 is a lack of courage to deal with criminality

00:42:40 in this society.

00:42:42 And just saying you have a budget of $6.9 billion

00:42:46 going to national security will not cut it.

00:42:49 Just like that, it wouldn't have an automatic positive effect.

00:42:53 We have got to do things differently.

00:42:55 We have got to strengthen institutions.

00:42:58 We have got to engage all the sectors in the society,

00:43:02 the business sector.

00:43:03 I think it was unfortunate that the meeting

00:43:06 between the opposition and the government

00:43:09 did not take place before the budget presentation.

00:43:12 And the chambers of commerce were interested in joining.

00:43:15 All hands must come on deck if we have to move forward.

00:43:19 And we have to have authentic action

00:43:21 to move the society forward, especially

00:43:24 in the management of crime.

00:43:25 Yeah.

00:43:26 Gentlemen, unfortunately, we have run out of time.

00:43:28 But however, I'll give Mr. Rampersad one minute.

00:43:30 Mr. Rampersad, anything you'd like to share with us

00:43:33 before you leave us this morning?

00:43:35 Well, I just want to touch on that topic of predial

00:43:38 larceny briefly, right?

00:43:39 Because recently, we had a statement

00:43:41 that was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture

00:43:43 stating that predial larceny is all good and well.

00:43:47 And they are having regular meetings

00:43:48 within the farming community.

00:43:49 That statement was sugar-coated.

00:43:53 For the past year, we have not seen the presence

00:43:56 of the predial larceny squad outside

00:43:59 within the farming community.

00:44:00 I have been visiting the farming communities regularly,

00:44:04 at least monthly, in different areas.

00:44:06 And the first concern that comes up when we ask issues

00:44:09 is the rise of predial larceny, right?

00:44:12 We are aware that they have recruited up to 80 officers

00:44:15 and that they are now in training.

00:44:17 But we need to also start discussing joint efforts

00:44:20 with the predial larceny squad, the TTPS,

00:44:23 and even the soldiers in the regiment to get this job done.

00:44:27 Because coverage is an issue out there.

00:44:29 And the persons that are involved in predial larceny

00:44:32 are aware that the penalties are next to nothing

00:44:34 at the same time.

00:44:35 We need to look at increasing penalties in predial larceny

00:44:38 because this has been affecting the farming community

00:44:41 drastically in all sectors of agriculture,

00:44:44 including livestock, poultry, and over-crop farming.

00:44:48 So we need to look heavily into predial larceny

00:44:52 and how we can expand that predial larceny squad

00:44:55 and have a presence outside there for the farming community.

00:44:59 Gentlemen, it was a pleasure speaking with you all

00:45:01 this morning.

00:45:02 Thank you very much for spending some time with us.

00:45:04 We do appreciate it.

00:45:05 Bye for now.

00:45:06 We are going to a very short break.

00:45:08 We're coming back.

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00:46:02 Tickets are $400 all inclusive with all proceeds supporting

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00:46:20 The world is in crisis.

00:46:22 Distressing news are flowing from every quarter

00:46:26 in the society.

00:46:28 And the hearts of many are failing them for fear.

00:46:32 However, in the midst of these alarming conditions

00:46:36 come good news Jesus Christ saves, keeps, and satisfies.

00:46:43 This is the message of Daybreak.

00:46:45 Imagine tying that bow on your daughter's hair

00:47:00 as you prepare her for her first day at school.

00:47:04 Imagine what it feels like when she comes back home

00:47:07 with scars on her face.

00:47:10 Imagine that same daughter waiting up for her

00:47:16 because she just went on her first date.

00:47:19 And she comes back into the house with a black eye.

00:47:25 Imagine walking her down the aisle

00:47:31 and having her come back home knocking on that door,

00:47:35 battered and bruised.

00:47:39 It is never OK to hit or strike a woman.

00:47:44 I grew up in a country, small little town called

00:47:52 Bougmanatras in Santa Cruz, very special place to grow up in.

00:47:57 And now as an adult, I think of those children in Trinidad

00:48:01 and Tobago who do not have a safe place, who are maybe not

00:48:06 even lying in their own beds or a bed.

00:48:09 And there's no roof to shade them from the sun

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00:48:29 I'd like to ask you to consider coming on board,

00:48:33 consider helping Habitat for Humanity in whatever way

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00:48:38 [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:48:41 All right, so welcome back.

00:49:04 So we do have a lot more for you on the morning edition.

00:49:07 For today, we do have a lot more interviews and a lot more

00:49:10 information for you.

00:49:12 Let me just tell you about the story in the Express

00:49:14 this morning.

00:49:15 So three men who are now in custody after two firearms

00:49:20 and over 80 rounds of assorted ammunition were found

00:49:24 are expected to be questioned in connection with the September

00:49:28 21st massacre at the height of Guernapo,

00:49:31 in which four siblings were shot dead.

00:49:34 So that's the major development concerning that matter,

00:49:38 re-Guernapo.

00:49:40 OK, so we're moving on.

00:49:42 All right, so here's what we can do at this time.

00:49:45 We are going to give you the opportunity to call us

00:49:49 and to speak on whatever issue that you'd like to speak on.

00:49:51 You're calling us on 623-1711.

00:49:54 The extension is $19.95.

00:49:57 But we only have a few minutes.

00:49:59 So you're going to have to call us now for you to get in.

00:50:04 All right, so again, the numbers are 623-1711.

00:50:08 The extension is $19.95.

00:50:12 That headache for Column-- majority of $7 billion

00:50:17 refunds owed to energy sector.

00:50:20 The government is not sleeping on the annual problem

00:50:23 of value-added tax refunds.

00:50:26 But possible solutions may present more issues

00:50:29 to implement, Finance Minister Column Inbert has said.

00:50:34 And calls for accountability on billions spent.

00:50:37 The 2023-2024 national budget came in for some criticism

00:50:42 from the business community yesterday.

00:50:45 All right, so you're calling us on 623-1711.

00:50:48 The extension is $19.95.

00:50:52 The $3 increase in the minimum wage

00:50:57 is long overdue and a clever move.

00:51:00 This is the sentiment of a Henry Street Porter Spain

00:51:04 businessman who only gave his name as Junior

00:51:08 as he sorted pink outfits at the store yesterday.

00:51:13 So as I said, there's this big debate

00:51:17 concerning the minimum wage.

00:51:19 It was good to hear the minister this morning speak about it

00:51:23 and try to kind of explain as to what would have contributed

00:51:28 to the $3 increase.

00:51:30 I know it is something that you all didn't want.

00:51:32 You wanted more.

00:51:33 And I suspect that can be understood.

00:51:38 Yeah, but I think what he also said is that if you do that,

00:51:42 there's going to be a domino effect.

00:51:44 You have to think about how it impacts on business.

00:51:48 Prince's Town is in the house.

00:51:50 Good morning, Prince's Town.

00:51:53 >> Yes, Marlon, good morning.

00:51:54 >> Morning.

00:51:56 >> I have a little complaint.

00:52:01 I want to know, my son went for a certificate of character.

00:52:08 >> Studio, could you give me some audio, please?

00:52:10 So I need to hear the gentleman.

00:52:14 Go ahead, sir.

00:52:15 Yeah?

00:52:16 >> My son went to the Aruka police station

00:52:19 for a certificate of character.

00:52:22 And they told him there was no receipt, he cannot receive one.

00:52:28 So he asked the cop if he can go to Arima police station

00:52:34 and get the certificate of character.

00:52:37 And the cop told him that they have no receipt throughout the

00:52:43 station in Trinidad.

00:52:44 So I want to know what is his way out.

00:52:47 And he is fixing his, he's fixing to get his green card

00:52:54 from the U.S. So he needs this urgently.

00:52:59 >> All right.

00:52:59 Well, what we will do is that we will try to find

00:53:02 out some additional information for you that could be helpful.

00:53:06 All right?

00:53:06 But I know that there has been a problem

00:53:10 for a while concerning the equipment and the, not the,

00:53:16 how do you go to the police station and do it manually.

00:53:20 We're getting some feedback in studio.

00:53:22 I'm talking about the equipment that they have

00:53:25 to take your fingerprints.

00:53:27 I know that there has been a problem with that.

00:53:29 But I'm glad you told us about the receipts.

00:53:32 So we'll try to get some additional information

00:53:35 for you, hopefully before the end of the program.

00:53:37 Or I'll do it this afternoon for you.

00:53:40 All right.

00:53:41 We do have another call.

00:53:42 Good morning, caller.

00:53:45 >> Caller, good morning.

00:53:47 >> Hi, morning.

00:53:48 >> Morning.

00:53:49 >> Yeah, listen, Marlon.

00:53:51 >> Yes.

00:53:52 >> What, I am very pleased with the budget in a lot of areas.

00:53:56 But one of the areas where, what I'm concerned

00:53:59 about is revenue collection.

00:54:01 >> Yeah.

00:54:01 >> And what is being done.

00:54:03 We have so many, we have this informal sector we have

00:54:09 in this country.

00:54:10 There are a lot of people that are escaping that net.

00:54:15 You know, self-employed persons.

00:54:17 And when I say self-employed, I'm not speaking

00:54:19 about those cut-off industries, what the government also spoke

00:54:24 about where they're trying to encourage people to do things

00:54:26 in their homes and stuff like that.

00:54:28 I'm speaking about people who are using public space outside

00:54:30 and are selling, they're actively earning an income

00:54:34 on the sidewalk where I have to walk in the street.

00:54:37 They're building tents anywhere, anywhere on state land

00:54:41 or along the highways and they're selling.

00:54:43 That and where people are not,

00:54:46 employers are not contributing the NIS contribution

00:54:51 in a timely fashion.

00:54:52 The revenue collection is an issue.

00:54:55 A lot of tax amnesty every year

00:54:57 where these employers are not paying their taxes

00:55:00 into the authorities.

00:55:05 And this is hampering the country.

00:55:09 You know, we see what happens every year,

00:55:12 the amount of money that's collected

00:55:14 when there's a tax amnesty.

00:55:16 Why are people collecting money from employers,

00:55:19 from the workers and not putting it in there,

00:55:22 putting it in the banks and using it and at the end

00:55:25 of the year, they're getting away with it.

00:55:27 So revenue collection is an area

00:55:30 where I believe the government has

00:55:31 to pay particular attention to.

00:55:34 Particularly from the informal sector in this country.

00:55:37 >> Yes. Thank you very much.

00:55:38 And that's quite unfortunate because I think

00:55:42 that an employee believes

00:55:44 that if they are contributing funds every month,

00:55:48 that at the end whether, whatever, if they go to the period

00:55:54 of retirement and so on, that their monies are going

00:55:57 to be there and yes, we do know for a fact

00:56:00 that some employers are flouting that process

00:56:03 and there has to be, I believe, some sort of stringent measures

00:56:10 to be put in place and serious action to be taken

00:56:13 against persons who fail to pay on behalf of their employees.

00:56:18 Let's take another call.

00:56:19 Good morning, caller.

00:56:20 >> Caller.

00:56:22 >> Caller, you there?

00:56:23 >> Morning.

00:56:24 >> Morning.

00:56:25 >> Morning.

00:56:26 >> Caller, do you have the volume on your television up?

00:56:29 If you do, you need to take it down.

00:56:31 All right, go ahead.

00:56:32 >> Yes. Caller, you see what the gentleman just speak about?

00:56:40 I have an elderly friend.

00:56:44 She went in NIF already.

00:56:46 They take up the matter already and nothing.

00:56:49 She ain't get no money up to now.

00:56:51 With the same thing, with the people not paying the NIF.

00:56:56 And they found the guy guilty.

00:57:00 So we want to know something about that.

00:57:02 It's very sad.

00:57:03 >> Yes. Yes.

00:57:05 It's not the first time I've heard about that.

00:57:08 It's not the first time I've heard about that.

00:57:10 And as I said, it is something that must not be encouraged.

00:57:15 And then I know about a matter, a similar matter,

00:57:19 where the employee had to take the matter to a union.

00:57:26 And then the union called the employer

00:57:28 and the employer still didn't want to pay.

00:57:30 I don't know if it ended up in the court.

00:57:33 But to me, that is just too much.

00:57:35 It should be automatic that employers have to pay.

00:57:39 And then at the end of the process,

00:57:41 the employee gets what the employee deserves.

00:57:44 All right?

00:57:44 So that's going to do it for calls.

00:57:45 Thank you very much for calling in

00:57:47 and giving your views this morning.

00:57:49 We are going to a very short break.

00:57:50 We're coming back.

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00:59:06 [ Music ]

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00:59:25 [ Music ]

00:59:52 [ Inaudible ]

01:00:02 [ Music ]

01:00:12 [ Music ]

01:00:28 >> Hello, I'm Peter, an Englishman living

01:00:30 in Trinidad for many, many years.

01:00:33 I've come to love this country

01:00:34 because of the warm-hearted people, a diverse culture,

01:00:37 the fantastic food, and of course, the great weather.

01:00:40 A few years ago, I came across Habitat, and boy, oh, boy,

01:00:43 this is what the country needs.

01:00:45 At Habitat, they work alongside families

01:00:47 to give them a better life, providing more opportunities

01:00:49 for families, especially the children.

01:00:52 >> If each one of us does the same,

01:00:53 then all our actions will add up to create major changes.

01:00:56 I work with Habitat for Humanity to make small

01:00:59 but significant actions which contribute

01:01:00 to the life I have come to love in Trinidad and Tobago.

01:01:03 >> Help build a home, and a home means an awful lot.

01:01:07 A house is not a home.

01:01:08 A home is a home.

01:01:10 It's where the heart is.

01:01:11 So come with me, and let's make it happen.

01:01:13 [ Music ]

01:01:28 [ Music ]

01:01:36 >> All right, everyone, so welcome back.

01:01:37 So we are continuing our post-budget discussion,

01:01:40 and we do have on the line this morning the president

01:01:43 of the San Fernando Business Association, Ms. Daphne Bartlett.

01:01:46 Ms. Bartlett, good morning.

01:01:48 >> Morning, Marlon, to you and your viewers, and especially those

01:01:52 from the southern part of the country.

01:01:54 >> Thank you.

01:01:54 Thank you very much, Ms. Bartlett, and we always appreciate

01:01:57 when you do have the time to speak with us.

01:01:59 But Ms. Bartlett, I'm sure that you would have had some time

01:02:03 to look at some of the announcements

01:02:06 in the finance minister's budget.

01:02:08 Is there anything in particular that jumps out at you

01:02:12 that you are concerned about?

01:02:14 >> I have several concerns, Marlon, but we've heard a lot

01:02:17 about all of them, so I will focus in two areas.

01:02:20 >> Yes.

01:02:20 >> One is agriculture, which your previous speaker spoke about.

01:02:25 It is high time we improve that sector of our country.

01:02:29 The agricultural sector is a very important part.

01:02:32 We have to start to plant what we eat and eat what we plant

01:02:36 and get some extra to export so that we can earn some forex.

01:02:41 And we can do that.

01:02:42 We've done that many years ago, if you look at history.

01:02:45 So I'll leave that part out because we must focus more.

01:02:48 Even in our own homes, we have to start planting more

01:02:51 to eat what we are planting

01:02:53 so that we have less expenses on the outside.

01:02:56 We have to start a budget and learn how to live.

01:02:59 Secondly, as I represent the San Fernando business community

01:03:03 and the whole southern part, I would say, of the country,

01:03:07 we are looking forward to our waterfront project.

01:03:11 That is something we have been trying very hard

01:03:13 over the years to get going.

01:03:16 And I recall we had several meetings with the budgeters

01:03:20 of the southern city, and they finally decided

01:03:25 on how we wanted the waterfront to be.

01:03:27 And we started it in 2013, and I chaired that committee,

01:03:32 and we were going along very nicely.

01:03:34 And we were about to stand in the area where retirees live,

01:03:38 and the scouts would do their bit and so on.

01:03:41 Then there was elections, and everything halted

01:03:45 for a long time.

01:03:46 It's been like, what, nearly eight years?

01:03:49 And all we really got since then was a little --

01:03:53 I don't know what to call it --

01:03:54 a road that is on that part of the ocean,

01:03:57 that part of the city.

01:04:00 It's a little piece of the ocean there.

01:04:02 And I've seen them dig it up, redo it, dig it up, redo it,

01:04:06 change a roundabout, and do all kinds of things.

01:04:08 But really and truly, that's what we got.

01:04:10 And recently, there was the opening of the car park,

01:04:13 which they are calling the hospital car park.

01:04:16 That is not the hospital car park.

01:04:18 That car park was designed to work

01:04:20 with the waterfront traffic that we had anticipated.

01:04:24 Now, I was happy to hear that they --

01:04:28 in the budget, they said that they have allocated some money

01:04:30 to continue that project.

01:04:33 But they have made so many changes to the original plan

01:04:36 without consulting anyone.

01:04:39 I don't know who's saying they have the authority

01:04:41 to just go into the plan, change up how they like it to be,

01:04:45 without consulting us.

01:04:46 So I would really implore them to get back to the drawing board

01:04:49 if you did change the original plan.

01:04:52 They had called me about two years ago

01:04:54 and asked me to join the team.

01:04:55 I said, "Well, please send me your revised plan."

01:04:59 But I never did get it, so it's just hanging there.

01:05:02 And we had a plan similar to like what Barbados has

01:05:06 in the Oystein section.

01:05:08 We go when you visit Barbados,

01:05:09 you must run down to that section

01:05:11 to enjoy the ambience and what they offer and so on.

01:05:14 And San Fernando, we had planned for port tourism.

01:05:18 We thought we'd use our water taxi

01:05:19 to bring tourists from the island.

01:05:22 And visit our areas in the southern part of the country,

01:05:25 our Lake Asphalt, our heritage sites and all of that.

01:05:28 But all of that is sky in the sky.

01:05:30 Why do we take so long to get projects off the ground?

01:05:33 I just don't know.

01:05:34 And it's just millions and millions

01:05:36 you hear calling all the time.

01:05:38 - Yes. - And it's a million,

01:05:39 it's a dollar.

01:05:40 We have a business, I know how to conduct business,

01:05:42 I know how to save money,

01:05:44 but I don't know why it's always so many millions.

01:05:47 To do the fisherman part,

01:05:49 what I hear they talk about in that project,

01:05:52 they call it about 60 million.

01:05:54 That was nowhere near that figure

01:05:56 to get the fisherman area going

01:05:58 because we were projecting the jetty out in the ocean

01:06:01 so that you do not use land space.

01:06:03 Their boats would be put in big perpendicular to the jetty.

01:06:07 So you're just using water.

01:06:09 And that was like nothing, not much money at all.

01:06:12 Now I'm hearing like 60 million for that.

01:06:15 - Yes. - They're wasting money.

01:06:16 I would say that our government

01:06:18 overspend on little projects.

01:06:22 - Ms. Bartlett, if you'll allow me

01:06:24 to pull you in another direction,

01:06:26 because there were a few announcements

01:06:29 in the finance minister's fiscal package

01:06:32 that I'm sure would directly impact your members.

01:06:36 One, you had the property tax to be collected.

01:06:39 You also have a situation concerning

01:06:42 a forex in Trinidad and Tobago.

01:06:45 And of course, the minimum wage increase.

01:06:48 - Well, you have to increase minimum wage.

01:06:53 And it's a start where they're getting $3 more,

01:06:56 but you have to also be mindful

01:06:58 that when the wage is increased,

01:07:00 you find that the price of goods and services

01:07:03 would also increase.

01:07:04 So it's a catch-22 situation, but it's a start.

01:07:07 That's one.

01:07:08 Property tax, we are willing to pay our property tax,

01:07:12 for sure, but when we look at how money is spent

01:07:16 and so many millions for little minute things,

01:07:19 you wonder, well, why are you collecting

01:07:20 approximately 400 million

01:07:22 and forcing everyone to pay 400 million?

01:07:25 Then we would see you spend 190 million

01:07:27 in legal fees in the Attorney General's office.

01:07:31 Those are the things that concern us.

01:07:33 - Has the forex situation been impacting negatively

01:07:39 on your members?

01:07:41 - It has, it has for sure.

01:07:43 I can tell you that the smaller businesses

01:07:46 rely heavily on the use of their credit cards,

01:07:50 and that's how they're able to survive.

01:07:52 We have to try to get away from this buy and sell situation.

01:07:57 And I can tell you what bothers a lot of the members

01:07:59 is that the big businesses,

01:08:04 you go into their shops, their retail outlets,

01:08:07 and you wonder, well, where did you get the foreign exchange

01:08:09 to bring in all these things?

01:08:10 You're duplicating the same item in different brands,

01:08:14 but you're getting forex to bring it in.

01:08:15 And another little man trying to survive,

01:08:18 he cannot get even $1,000.

01:08:20 So why is it you're being selective

01:08:23 in how you give out your foreign exchange?

01:08:26 - Yeah.

01:08:26 How do you feel about the assurances given by the minister?

01:08:30 He said the ministry intends to move aggressively

01:08:32 to develop strategies to repatriate forex earned overseas

01:08:36 by local and international businesses

01:08:38 in Trinidad and Tobago.

01:08:39 He also added that the government will create

01:08:41 new arrangements for preferential access

01:08:44 to foreign exchange for qualified small

01:08:47 and medium enterprises.

01:08:49 - Marlon, that's a nice paragraph.

01:08:51 Talk is cheap.

01:08:52 You know the saying, talk is cheap?

01:08:55 That's talk is cheap coming from the minister.

01:08:57 You will not get anything, no food,

01:08:59 the forex is coming in to no country.

01:09:02 The richer people took all their forex a long time ago,

01:09:05 invested in properties, real estate abroad,

01:09:08 they're not bringing back forex here.

01:09:10 The smaller business owners can hardly survive.

01:09:12 They don't have money abroad to repatriate to Trinidad.

01:09:16 We have to generate foreign exchange

01:09:18 by increasing our export.

01:09:20 Encourage small micro businesses

01:09:23 to get into the export market.

01:09:24 - Yeah.

01:09:26 But Ms. Bartlett, recently the finance minister

01:09:30 would have spoken about it is the demand for the forex.

01:09:36 That is why there is this shortage

01:09:39 and all of these problems concerning forex.

01:09:42 And you did speak about,

01:09:44 when you were speaking about agriculture.

01:09:46 But hasn't our taste changed, Ms. Bartlett?

01:09:53 And we want things from abroad.

01:09:56 And some of us don't want to eat body and badgi anymore

01:10:00 and pumpkin in the morning.

01:10:02 We want hummus and we want feta cheese

01:10:05 and we want all sorts of things.

01:10:07 So isn't it a part of a wider problem?

01:10:09 - No, I think they need to educate

01:10:13 and we could probably start a program on that

01:10:15 where we educate the public about their health,

01:10:19 cholesterol, why is your cholesterol so high,

01:10:21 you're eating wrongly.

01:10:23 And we can educate them on eating the vegetables

01:10:25 that we grow and so on.

01:10:26 I eat vegetables for my breakfast,

01:10:28 mainly lunch and dinner.

01:10:29 I hardly eat imported stuff.

01:10:31 Everything I eat, I try to buy local.

01:10:34 And we need to educate the public on that.

01:10:36 Why should I want caviar every day if I can't afford it?

01:10:39 Stick with the booty and the badgi.

01:10:41 - All right.

01:10:43 Let's deal with the issue of crime.

01:10:46 I know that crime has also impacted

01:10:49 your community and your members.

01:10:54 How do you feel about some of the measures

01:10:57 that have been put in place to address it?

01:10:59 Of course, the police commissioner

01:11:02 has been given the authority to recruit 1,000 persons

01:11:05 from next year.

01:11:07 Also, government is also spending $80 million

01:11:10 on new vehicles and other things

01:11:14 they have announced in the budget.

01:11:15 How do you feel about them?

01:11:16 - Marlon, I'm a good person to talk to

01:11:20 and tell you how to save money.

01:11:21 As I started a few businesses from scratch,

01:11:24 they're successful and I don't change vehicles regularly.

01:11:28 I don't do this, I don't do that.

01:11:30 I tend to conserve and save.

01:11:33 I am asking the government,

01:11:35 why would you now try to recruit 1,000 policemen and women

01:11:40 when you have an army which we feed every day very well,

01:11:43 nice food, steak, and whatever?

01:11:46 And what are they doing every day?

01:11:47 Why don't you bring them out to assist the police?

01:11:50 And they've done that before.

01:11:52 Several other prime ministers have done that

01:11:54 and it works pretty well.

01:11:56 Why aren't they joining with the police

01:11:59 and having joint army police patrols?

01:12:01 It acts as a deterrent.

01:12:03 I have another problem.

01:12:04 We had a police officer,

01:12:05 I think his name is Senior Duke Smith.

01:12:07 I don't know him, but I read in the newspaper.

01:12:10 He was very instrumental in keeping the crime level

01:12:13 down to a point.

01:12:15 He was the one who intercepted

01:12:16 that 100 million marijuana fine the other day.

01:12:19 And I'm saying, a man who is doing such a good job,

01:12:22 why would you want to remove him from that post

01:12:25 to put him where?

01:12:27 Who gave you the authority to do that?

01:12:28 You think you're brighter than everybody in the country.

01:12:31 Any layman will tell you he's doing a good job

01:12:33 leaving there and let him continue his job.

01:12:36 I would like somebody to tell me why was he removed?

01:12:39 Why do you want to remove a man who's doing a good job?

01:12:43 And we see how we are battling with these criminals.

01:12:45 Home invasion is like a norm now.

01:12:48 And it's not one and two doing it,

01:12:50 it's like in a gang thing.

01:12:53 If you had a joint army police patrol all over the place,

01:12:56 you don't know when they would arrive.

01:12:58 You think those criminals will be active

01:13:00 as they are in the night?

01:13:02 Absolutely not.

01:13:03 They would be indoors because they are scared of the army.

01:13:06 I've heard many criminals say,

01:13:08 army looms, army trains kill you,

01:13:10 and also we're not gonna be out on the road.

01:13:12 - What's your perspective concerning

01:13:16 these upcoming anti-crime talks following the budget

01:13:19 between the opposition and the government?

01:13:22 Are you optimistic?

01:13:23 - No, I'm not.

01:13:25 I don't think the prime minister is going to take advice

01:13:27 from the opposition.

01:13:29 And if it was the other way around,

01:13:31 I think it would be the same.

01:13:33 If the opposition was in power

01:13:35 and the prime minister was in the opposition.

01:13:37 There's somehow, there is something about the ego,

01:13:39 I think, in third world countries,

01:13:41 where the prime minister of the country at the moment,

01:13:44 not necessarily Dr. Rowley,

01:13:46 but they just think, well, I'm in charge,

01:13:48 I can make all the good decisions.

01:13:50 I really don't have any hope for that.

01:13:52 All I'm saying, and with the discussion

01:13:55 from many people in different sectors,

01:13:57 they all have the same answer, bring out the army.

01:14:00 Bring out the army.

01:14:01 The United States just gave us four boats

01:14:04 for our river patrols.

01:14:07 We didn't know that we needed that before,

01:14:09 but they came in and they saw you need that, you need it.

01:14:12 Why aren't your boats working?

01:14:14 What about our border protection?

01:14:15 All the normal little low-hanging fruit things we can do,

01:14:18 we are not doing it.

01:14:19 And I'm not sure why.

01:14:21 Do we want crime?

01:14:22 Do we want the country to get out of order?

01:14:24 I don't know.

01:14:25 I have no answer, but I'm very disturbed, I have to say.

01:14:29 - Ms. Bartlett, some of the persons

01:14:31 who are going to be involved in this exercise,

01:14:36 we have interviewed some of them,

01:14:38 and some of them have said, I would have asked them,

01:14:40 well, what's different this time around?

01:14:43 And one of the reasons they gave was that,

01:14:46 well, we are going into there with clean hands,

01:14:51 and we'll put all the matters on the table,

01:14:53 and we are going there with great maturity.

01:14:57 - Well, I am mature, and I have written to the prime minister

01:15:02 and I've done this before with two other prime ministers,

01:15:05 and they all took advice,

01:15:06 and we were having the rate of crime increasing.

01:15:09 And we met with them,

01:15:10 Minister of National Security, et cetera, et cetera,

01:15:12 with the prime minister,

01:15:13 and what we advised, bring out the army.

01:15:17 They brought out the army, and it worked.

01:15:19 I've written to this prime minister about three times,

01:15:21 saying, why don't you bring out the army?

01:15:23 I got no response, and so no response.

01:15:25 - Ms. Bartlett, we just have about one minute again.

01:15:29 Anything else you'd like to tell us

01:15:31 before you leave us this morning?

01:15:33 - Marlon, all I can say at this time,

01:15:36 I'm a firm believer in God.

01:15:37 I'm asking the nation to pray for our nation,

01:15:41 because we are heading,

01:15:42 and we are sliding fast down the tunnel.

01:15:46 Let's pray together for our nation,

01:15:48 so that we would be, even if we regress to like 10 years ago,

01:15:52 we'll be happy.

01:15:54 It's bad, it's really, really bad at this time.

01:15:57 - President of the San Fernando Business Association,

01:15:59 Ms. Daphne Bartlett,

01:16:00 it's always a pleasure speaking with you.

01:16:02 Thank you very much.

01:16:03 - Thank you, Marlon.

01:16:04 Have a good day.

01:16:05 - All right, bye for now.

01:16:06 So we are going to a very short break.

01:16:08 We're coming back.

01:16:08 (upbeat music)

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01:16:34 Celebrate their lives

01:16:36 with a special All Saints Memorial

01:16:38 in the Express Classifieds.

01:16:41 Book today to honor your loved ones.

01:16:43 (upbeat music)

01:16:47 (upbeat music)

01:16:50 (upbeat music)

01:16:52 (upbeat music)

01:16:55 (upbeat music)

01:16:58 (upbeat music)

01:17:02 (upbeat music)

01:17:07 (upbeat music)

01:17:12 (upbeat music)

01:17:17 - This is Mary.

01:17:25 Mary has bills to pay and takes a chance

01:17:28 parking in front of the building at the no parking sign.

01:17:32 Mary returns to her car and this is what happens.

01:17:36 (phone rings)

01:17:43 Mary decides to call when she's five minutes away

01:17:46 to let her daughter know that she is close by.

01:17:49 But Mary forgot one thing.

01:17:52 (speaking in foreign language)

01:17:56 After two tickets,

01:17:59 Mary just isn't paying attention to her speed.

01:18:03 (camera shutter clicks)

01:18:06 Don't be like Mary.

01:18:19 Obey the laws of the road.

01:18:22 A message from the TTPS.

01:18:24 (upbeat music)

01:18:27 (upbeat music)

01:18:37 - All right, so welcome back everyone.

01:18:44 So the Girl Guides, they are celebrating Guide Month.

01:18:48 And we do have on the line this morning,

01:18:50 Assistant Brownie Commissioner, Miss Maria Ramkusun.

01:18:53 Miss Ramkusun, thank you very much

01:18:54 for joining us this morning.

01:18:57 - Good morning and thank you for having us.

01:18:59 - And we also have Miss Deborah East.

01:19:03 All right, let's begin with Miss Ramkusun.

01:19:07 How is Girl Guide Month going to be celebrated?

01:19:10 - So good morning again, everyone.

01:19:14 Girl Guide Month is action and initiative

01:19:18 that was inaugurated in 1977.

01:19:20 And it's to raise awareness and to promote guiding

01:19:23 in Trinidad and Tobago.

01:19:25 So this year we have our two main events,

01:19:28 which will be our Thanksgiving service,

01:19:30 which is on Saturday, which is the 7th of October.

01:19:34 And in addition to that,

01:19:35 we have our Fun Run Walk 1K and 5K event

01:19:39 on the 28th of October.

01:19:42 So those are our two main events for Guide Month.

01:19:44 - Yeah, and let's go to Miss East,

01:19:46 who is the Chief Commissioner.

01:19:49 Miss East, we have always heard about the Girl Guides,

01:19:54 and I'm sure that there are a lot of people this morning

01:19:58 who are not okra with the Girl Guides.

01:20:01 If you can just tell us a little bit about the Girl Guides.

01:20:05 - So the Girl Guides, good morning, everyone.

01:20:08 The Girl Guides Association and Girl Guides Movement.

01:20:12 This year in 2023, we are 109 years old.

01:20:17 And we work with young people, with girls,

01:20:22 to help these young girls to develop a sense of self,

01:20:26 to help them to become good citizens,

01:20:29 to help them to have their voice,

01:20:32 to recognize and have their voice

01:20:33 and influence the development of the society around them.

01:20:38 We've been in operation, as I said, for over 109 years.

01:20:43 And in particular, the focus of Girl Guides

01:20:48 is to help our young people, our girls,

01:20:52 to make the world a world that they want to inhabit

01:20:55 and that their future generations

01:20:58 would want to inhabit as well.

01:21:00 So that these girls not only learn skills,

01:21:03 the traditional skills of camping,

01:21:06 the activities that we normally take part in,

01:21:11 but they also embrace their sustainable development goals.

01:21:16 And we want them to have a voice in shaping the world

01:21:21 as the world develops.

01:21:23 We want them to not only have a voice,

01:21:25 but take action to make this world a better place.

01:21:29 So really, Girl Guides is a very viable,

01:21:33 a very active, a very important activity

01:21:38 that many young girls can become involved in.

01:21:41 - Yeah.

01:21:42 Is there still an interest?

01:21:46 - Yes, there is still an interest.

01:21:50 There's a growing interest, in fact,

01:21:52 that many parents would like their girls

01:21:54 to join Girl Guides.

01:21:56 One of the challenges that we have, though,

01:21:59 is that volunteerism has been on the decline for a while.

01:22:03 And so we need more people to become guide leaders.

01:22:08 We need more adults to get involved in the movement,

01:22:10 to volunteer their services, to volunteer their time.

01:22:13 We train you, we provide all of the guidance that is needed,

01:22:17 but we rarely do.

01:22:18 And this morning, take the opportunity to make a request

01:22:22 to our community, to first persons who are willing

01:22:26 to serve their community, to volunteer to become leaders.

01:22:30 The girls are always interested.

01:22:32 - Yeah.

01:22:33 Ms. Ramkisun, tell us about the Brownies.

01:22:36 I always would see the Brownies all over the place.

01:22:39 Tell us about the Brownies, Ms. Ramkisun.

01:22:41 - Well, the Brownies are the youngest group

01:22:45 of Girl Guides in the association.

01:22:47 So their ages would range from five to eight years old.

01:22:51 Okay, so that is how they begin their journey of guiding.

01:22:55 So upon recruitment, the Brownies are called bunnies.

01:23:00 And when they're officially enrolled,

01:23:02 that's when they make their Brownie promise,

01:23:04 they become a Brownie.

01:23:05 So when they have reached a certain age,

01:23:08 age eight, going on nine,

01:23:10 then they graduate to Junior Guides.

01:23:12 So it's actually the first stage in their journey of guiding.

01:23:16 - Right, so you move from the Brownies to the Junior Guides.

01:23:20 Is there a next step?

01:23:22 - Yes, and from Junior Guides,

01:23:24 they will move to Senior Guides and Ranger Guides.

01:23:28 And then you have the Young Leaders.

01:23:30 And if the Young Leaders are willing,

01:23:32 they then move on to Guiders and, well,

01:23:35 Commissioners and District Commissioners,

01:23:38 and they go all up the ranks.

01:23:40 - Yeah, boy, an Assistant Commissioner like you

01:23:43 and also a Chief Commissioner like Ms. East, right?

01:23:46 Ms. East, let's get back.

01:23:49 We will speak about the event,

01:23:51 but I think it is so important these days

01:23:54 to kind of educate people, young people,

01:23:59 about what are some of the options out there.

01:24:03 So at what age is a child, a girl,

01:24:08 eligible to enroll in the Girl Guides?

01:24:13 - So they start, as Ms. Arlette Rampherson said,

01:24:18 as Brownies. - Yes.

01:24:19 - So five, six years old, they will enroll in Brownies.

01:24:24 And then they move up the ranks

01:24:25 according to the different age groups.

01:24:27 So if they will stay in Brownies, six to eight or nine,

01:24:31 and then they move up to Junior Guides.

01:24:34 And the secondary school,

01:24:35 when they move into secondary school, usually around age 12,

01:24:38 they will join the Senior Guides.

01:24:40 And as I said already, move up to Ranger Guides and so on.

01:24:45 So we enroll them from that age

01:24:49 when they enter a primary school,

01:24:51 and we move right up the ranks.

01:24:53 So throughout their school life,

01:24:55 they can remain in Girl Guides.

01:24:57 - Yeah, and it's on a voluntary basis?

01:25:00 - All voluntary, all voluntary.

01:25:03 Voluntary in terms of membership,

01:25:05 more voluntary in terms of serving as leaders.

01:25:09 - And I want to, and I know you touched on it earlier,

01:25:13 but let's speak in an in-depth way,

01:25:17 some of the benefits for our young people

01:25:22 and some of the, how do I say,

01:25:26 some of the good things that they can pick up

01:25:29 being enrolled in the Girl Guides.

01:25:33 - A Girl Guide promises to do their very best,

01:25:37 to do their duty to God.

01:25:39 They promise to serve their country.

01:25:41 They promise to help other people.

01:25:44 They promise to keep the Guide law.

01:25:46 The Guide law is made up of 10 parts,

01:25:49 and they promise that they can be trusted,

01:25:53 that they're trustworthy.

01:25:54 They promise to be helpful.

01:25:56 They promise to be polite and considerate.

01:25:58 They promise to moderate their behavior

01:26:01 and to be self-controlled in everything

01:26:04 that they say and do.

01:26:06 There are 10 parts to that,

01:26:08 and the program encourages all of these behaviors

01:26:13 which they have now made their promise to.

01:26:15 These are behaviors, you would agree,

01:26:17 that would generate and create a model citizen,

01:26:22 someone who is a good daughter, a good sister,

01:26:26 a good child, a good student, a good worker.

01:26:29 All of the qualities that we try and values

01:26:32 that we try to build in Girl Guides,

01:26:35 in the girls and in ourselves

01:26:37 are qualities that will make for a better society.

01:26:41 And in particular, they promise to serve.

01:26:45 They promise to serve their community

01:26:47 and that is where volunteerism comes in.

01:26:50 It is critical that all of us in any sphere of life

01:26:53 that we work, whether in Girl Guides or anything,

01:26:56 that we care for our fellow man.

01:26:58 We care for ourselves, we control ourselves,

01:27:01 but we also care for others.

01:27:04 And that will make a very important difference

01:27:08 in the quality of life,

01:27:09 people not just in Trinidad and Tobago, but globally.

01:27:13 So we encourage the girls to think, to act,

01:27:17 to have a voice.

01:27:18 And I wanna stress the importance of the embracing

01:27:22 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

01:27:24 We have seven more years for goal achievement,

01:27:27 2015 to 2030.

01:27:30 We ensure and we are trying to,

01:27:33 we are trying to ensure that we include the SDGs

01:27:42 into everything that we do,

01:27:43 because when we shape the future,

01:27:47 our girls must have a voice

01:27:49 in what that future must look like.

01:27:51 - Yeah, Ms. East, that sounds very, very impressive.

01:27:53 And I hope that more and more persons take the opportunity

01:27:56 to enroll in the Girl Guides.

01:27:59 Ms. Ramkissun, let's get back to the events

01:28:02 that we are speaking about this morning.

01:28:05 Is there any additional information?

01:28:07 And studio, we can put back those graphics

01:28:10 so that people would see what we're speaking about.

01:28:13 Any additional information, Ms. Ramkissun?

01:28:16 Really Thanksgiving, et cetera.

01:28:18 - I'd just like to elaborate on our fun run walk,

01:28:21 Wanky and Fancy, which is one of our national events

01:28:24 coming up this month.

01:28:26 So our theme is promoting health and wellbeing,

01:28:30 moving towards 110 years and beyond.

01:28:33 Now, this event is an extension of our celebration

01:28:37 of 100 years of guiding in Trinidad and Tobago.

01:28:40 So we saw it fit to have this event,

01:28:44 as Mrs. East would have mentioned,

01:28:47 to continue to holistically develop our young girls.

01:28:50 So in this event, we are fostering great minds, great body.

01:28:55 And she would have also touched

01:28:56 on sustainable development goals.

01:28:58 So this event is an opportunity for us to engage

01:29:03 and to promote the third

01:29:05 of the 17 sustainable development goals,

01:29:06 which is to enhance and promote the health

01:29:09 and wellbeing of all girls.

01:29:11 And not only that, they have an opportunity

01:29:13 to discover within themselves the potential

01:29:16 that they have to complete an event

01:29:17 such as a 1K or a 5K.

01:29:21 They are able to now have the opportunity to interact

01:29:23 because we try to push interaction amongst girls.

01:29:26 So they have the opportunity to interact with others

01:29:28 from other units as well.

01:29:30 And not only within the Girl Guides movement,

01:29:32 but also, for example, scouts,

01:29:34 because we expect to have scouts participating

01:29:37 and other organizations, other NGOs

01:29:40 that will be taking part as well.

01:29:42 So this event will be a way for us to showcase

01:29:45 Girl Guides as being alive, well,

01:29:47 and thriving in Trinidad and Tobago.

01:29:50 Now, the 1K is going to begin at 4 p.m.,

01:29:55 and the 5K is going to begin at 4.20 p.m.

01:29:58 So the 1K and the 5K village is at Queen's Path West,

01:30:02 which will be opposite QRC.

01:30:06 So registration is $50 per participant.

01:30:10 - And there's still time to register.

01:30:13 - Yes, there is time to register,

01:30:14 so we encourage persons to register as soon as possible.

01:30:18 So there are two forms of registration.

01:30:20 You can either register online or in person.

01:30:24 So I can give you the link for the registration.

01:30:28 All right, so those who are interested in registering,

01:30:31 you can register at https://

01:30:34 and then, of course, the double forward slash

01:30:36 raceroster.com/80825.

01:30:44 That's the online registration link.

01:30:46 Now, for those who may find that challenging,

01:30:48 they can register in person.

01:30:51 So Girl Guides can go to their unit leaders

01:30:55 and they can pay their unit leaders,

01:30:57 and upon payment, the unit leaders

01:30:59 will present them with a promo code.

01:31:01 So they're going to go to the same registration link

01:31:03 that I just gave to you,

01:31:05 and they're going to click on register on that website

01:31:08 and scroll down to the website,

01:31:09 and at the bottom, you're going to find enter promo code.

01:31:12 So when that promo code is entered,

01:31:15 it is equivalent to a 100% discount for the event.

01:31:19 So they wouldn't have to pay any money again

01:31:21 as they would have paid before.

01:31:22 So when they enter that promo code,

01:31:24 they will be registered for the race.

01:31:27 - Yeah.

01:31:28 Ms. East, we just have about a minute again,

01:31:32 but how do parents enroll their children

01:31:37 into the Girl Guides?

01:31:38 - So they can contact our Girl Guides headquarters

01:31:44 at 8 Ross Street, St. Clair, Port of Spain.

01:31:47 They can email girlguidestnt@gmail.com

01:31:52 or they can call 628-7966 or 2614,

01:31:57 and we will be able to (indistinct)

01:32:00 as to the nearest Girl Guide unit within their area.

01:32:05 May I just also say that one very important note

01:32:10 is that our Thanksgiving service on Saturday,

01:32:12 we welcome our new patron.

01:32:15 Our patron is Her Excellency, Christine Kangaloo,

01:32:19 and we really look forward

01:32:21 to the Girl Guides attending this,

01:32:23 and we look forward to our patron,

01:32:26 our new patron working with us

01:32:28 to take Girl Guides forward.

01:32:31 Ladies, it was a pleasure speaking with you all.

01:32:33 Thank you very much.

01:32:34 - Thank you for having us.

01:32:35 - You're most welcome.

01:32:36 - All right, bye for now.

01:32:38 And we wish you all the best.

01:32:39 All right, so we are going to a very short break.

01:32:40 We're coming back.

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01:34:33 - All right, and welcome back.

01:34:41 So we are going to Tobago now,

01:34:43 and we are discussing the Tobago Day Awards

01:34:46 and Chief Secretary Art Competition.

01:34:49 We do have on the line this morning,

01:34:51 Avianne Parks, Communications Director

01:34:53 at the Office of the Chief Secretary.

01:34:55 Ms. Parks, good morning.

01:34:57 - Good morning, Marlon.

01:34:59 Good morning to all your viewers and listeners.

01:35:02 Thank you for having me.

01:35:03 - All right, thank you for joining us.

01:35:05 Well, tell us about the Tobago Day Awards

01:35:06 and Chief Secretary Art Competition.

01:35:09 - Great, so Marlon, the Tobago Day Awards,

01:35:12 we have Tobago Day Awards

01:35:14 as we celebrate Tobago Day in Tobago,

01:35:16 and Tobago Day is celebrated on December 4th every year.

01:35:21 It's really the anniversary of the new incarnation

01:35:24 of the Tobago House of Assembly from 1980.

01:35:27 So we've had awards from since 2003.

01:35:31 Over the years, the name has changed

01:35:33 from Assembly Day Awards to Chief Secretary Awards,

01:35:36 and now we have Tobago Day Awards.

01:35:38 So nominations are currently open,

01:35:40 and I'm really here to just tell persons

01:35:43 you have a few more days, literally,

01:35:46 to submit your nominations.

01:35:47 The deadline is this Friday, October 6th, 4 p.m.

01:35:52 So I'll just let persons know where you can obtain forms.

01:35:56 You can obtain forms online.

01:35:58 You can go to the THA website at www.tha.gov.tt,

01:36:03 or you can come in physically

01:36:07 to the Office of the Chief Administrator,

01:36:10 and we're located at Smithfield Plaza,

01:36:12 which is directly opposite

01:36:14 the People's Pentecostal Church in Smithfield, Scarborough,

01:36:18 or diagonally opposite Rapid Response,

01:36:20 and you can collect a form there,

01:36:23 fill it out, and return it there as well,

01:36:26 on or before the deadline of October 6th at 4 p.m.

01:36:31 So that's basically the Tobago Day Awards.

01:36:34 We have different spares of activities.

01:36:36 So you nominate someone in a spare,

01:36:38 for instance, sports or academics, culture,

01:36:43 political service, public service, entertainment,

01:36:46 or entrepreneurship or business,

01:36:49 and then the committee that sits and deliberates

01:36:53 will decide which category of award persons shall receive,

01:36:57 i.e., Tobago Medal of Honor Gold,

01:37:00 Tobago Medal of Honor Silver,

01:37:02 Bronze, or the Chief Secretary's Award.

01:37:04 - And I suspect the Chief Secretary's Award

01:37:07 is the highest award, huh?

01:37:09 - Really, the Tobago Medal of Honor Gold, actually.

01:37:13 - All right, okay, all right. (laughs)

01:37:17 I thought differently, but okay.

01:37:19 - The Chief Secretary's Award is for the immediate

01:37:22 past year, for distinguished service, you know,

01:37:26 to the development of Tobago,

01:37:27 and the Tobago Medal of Honor Gold

01:37:30 that was instituted in 2011,

01:37:34 when we honored stalwarts like James Picard,

01:37:37 APT James, and then A&R Robinson.

01:37:41 So it was the highest level of award

01:37:43 that was instituted in Tobago at that time,

01:37:46 and then we continued with it,

01:37:49 and then further categorized it into gold, silver, bronze,

01:37:53 and then the Chief Secretary's Award.

01:37:55 - Yeah, and getting back to the nominees,

01:37:58 it is for anyone who is making

01:38:03 or who has made a positive contribution to Tobago.

01:38:07 - Correct, and let me just say, not just anyone,

01:38:12 so individuals and groups.

01:38:14 - Yes.

01:38:15 - So we have the youth groups, the police youth groups,

01:38:18 the charitable organizations, the NGOs,

01:38:23 the CBOs, the faith-based organizations, yes.

01:38:26 - Yes.

01:38:27 - So it's not only individuals.

01:38:28 - And let's get back to the day in particular

01:38:32 where or when people are going to be honored.

01:38:36 - So December 4th.

01:38:38 So the awards, it's normally held on December 4th every year,

01:38:42 with the exception of last year,

01:38:44 and those were really unavoidable circumstances,

01:38:46 but generally it's December 4th

01:38:49 on the anniversary of the Tobago House of Assembly,

01:38:52 and it is by invitation only.

01:38:55 - All right, so-

01:38:57 - We normally stream it,

01:38:58 so the wider public is able to be a part of the ceremony.

01:39:03 So you can listen out for the streaming details

01:39:06 and the airing details.

01:39:07 - So for persons who are not au courant with the event,

01:39:12 what is the venue, where is the venue?

01:39:14 - So the venue for the last couple,

01:39:17 we have had different venues.

01:39:19 More than likely it will be the Chopa Complex,

01:39:22 and that right now is our biggest venue in Tobago

01:39:26 that really has the capacity and infrastructure

01:39:29 to host events such as these.

01:39:32 So most likely it will be the Chopa Complex.

01:39:36 - All right, let's speak a little bit

01:39:37 about the Chief Secretary Art Competition now.

01:39:41 - Yes, Marlon, and I'm really excited

01:39:43 about the Chief Secretary's

01:39:44 Tobago Secondary Schools Art Competition,

01:39:47 which is now in its 10th year.

01:39:49 So we are celebrating our 10th anniversary.

01:39:52 It is for Tobago Secondary School students only,

01:39:56 but I must say,

01:39:58 if you are a Tobago Secondary School student,

01:40:01 you are not in the art program of your secondary school,

01:40:05 but you like art, you do art,

01:40:07 art is a hobby, you are good at it,

01:40:09 you can still enter and have your principal sign off.

01:40:13 So we closed the deadline is next Wednesday,

01:40:17 11th of October, 3 p.m.

01:40:20 So I'm trusting that the schools

01:40:22 are preparing their students

01:40:24 or students who are not in the art program,

01:40:27 that you are well on your way with your pieces.

01:40:30 We look forward to the submissions.

01:40:32 This year our theme is "Greatest Little Island on the Planet,"

01:40:36 which is our Tobago mantra at the moment,

01:40:39 with our new administration.

01:40:41 So we really look forward to the interpretation

01:40:44 of that theme by our students.

01:40:47 I'm also really pleased to announce

01:40:49 that we were able to engage the corporate community

01:40:53 for the first time.

01:40:55 And so we have been able to extend the prizes.

01:40:59 So normally we have the winner receiving $3,000 cash

01:41:03 from the Tobago House of Assembly.

01:41:06 This time as we celebrate 10 years,

01:41:08 we are going a little extra and a little special.

01:41:12 So the winner, in addition to the $3,000,

01:41:15 shall also receive $2,000 in units,

01:41:19 courtesy Units Trust, a Wacom tablet

01:41:22 by one of our corporate sponsors

01:41:24 who prefers to remain anonymous,

01:41:27 and also a two-week internship

01:41:29 at ePixel Studio at E-Edcut.

01:41:33 So we have quite a lot of goodies for the winner.

01:41:36 We also will be giving out six consolation prizes

01:41:40 for the first time worth $1,000 each.

01:41:45 And also those who did not place in the top 12

01:41:50 or who did not receive a consolation prize,

01:41:54 you shall receive a $200 gift voucher for art supplies.

01:41:59 So everybody is going to walk away with something.

01:42:03 And let me just add,

01:42:05 for those of you who don't know,

01:42:06 so when I say the top 12,

01:42:08 the top 12 art pieces will normally comprise

01:42:12 the Chief Secretary's calendar for the following year,

01:42:15 and the winner will be at the cover.

01:42:17 So I don't know if you've seen the calendar, Marlon.

01:42:21 If you haven't, I hope I can send one to you this year.

01:42:24 - You need to send one, you need to send one.

01:42:26 But let's speak about the requirements

01:42:28 to enter the competition.

01:42:30 - Right.

01:42:32 So we are looking for,

01:42:35 and I'll just quickly pull it up on my phone.

01:42:38 Oil paint on canvas, acrylic, tempera or water paint,

01:42:43 drawings with pencil, pen, ink, charcoal, pastels, dyes.

01:42:48 We aren't accepting 3D work at the moment or sculptures.

01:42:52 So that's basically what we are looking for.

01:42:56 You can obtain further information

01:42:58 on the Office of the Chief Secretary Facebook page,

01:43:01 or you can go to our website, www.tha.gov.tt.

01:43:06 I'm also happy to say for another year,

01:43:10 because we did it last year,

01:43:11 our judges, we have engaged the Art Society of Trinidad

01:43:15 and Tobago to provide us with judges.

01:43:17 So we really try to ensure a fair and transparent process,

01:43:21 because you know, Tobago is a very small place.

01:43:24 And so we are getting three judges from the Art Society

01:43:28 who will come up once again and judge the competition.

01:43:31 And we'll have the prize giving ceremony on November 24th.

01:43:35 - Is there a particular age that you're looking for

01:43:38 and are there categories?

01:43:40 - We don't.

01:43:43 We leave it open to the secondary schools.

01:43:46 So first to sixth form can enter.

01:43:50 Interestingly enough, sometimes you, you know,

01:43:52 you might assume that the younger students

01:43:55 may not have the capacity.

01:43:57 Over the years, that has not necessarily been the case.

01:44:00 We have had a third former win.

01:44:02 So it really is just based on,

01:44:05 I suppose, competency and talent.

01:44:07 And so we leave it open

01:44:08 and we haven't gone the way of categories.

01:44:11 - All right.

01:44:12 Avianne, anything else you'd like to add?

01:44:13 Read these two events, the Tobago Day Awards

01:44:16 and the Chief Secretary Art Competition.

01:44:19 - I'd just like to say that we are looking forward

01:44:22 to the nominations and the submissions.

01:44:24 I'll highlight the deadlines again

01:44:26 for the Tobago Day Awards.

01:44:28 The deadline is in a couple of days,

01:44:30 this Friday, October 6th, 4 p.m.

01:44:33 You can return your form online,

01:44:36 oca.secretary@tha.gov.tt,

01:44:40 or you can do it physically

01:44:42 at the Chief Administrator's office in Smithfield,

01:44:45 immediately or directly opposite

01:44:47 the People's Pentecostal Church.

01:44:49 For the Chief Secretary's

01:44:50 Tobago Secondary Schools Art Competition,

01:44:53 the deadline is next Wednesday, October 11th, 3 p.m.

01:44:58 Submissions should be dropped off at the Shaw Park Complex.

01:45:02 You will be directed to the room once you get there.

01:45:06 And let me just emphasize,

01:45:08 we really do not wish to extend the deadlines

01:45:10 for these competitions,

01:45:12 because of course we have the procurement in place

01:45:16 and we really need to be a lot more efficient

01:45:18 in how we plan our events.

01:45:20 So the time is very, very important.

01:45:23 - Yeah, Avianne, good speaking with you

01:45:24 and thank you very much for the information.

01:45:27 - Great speaking with you, Marlon.

01:45:28 Thank you for the opportunity.

01:45:29 Have a good day and a good day

01:45:31 to all your viewers and listeners.

01:45:32 - All right, bye for now.

01:45:34 All right, so we are going to another break.

01:45:35 We are coming back.

01:45:36 (upbeat music)

01:45:39 - The wet and hurricane seasons are here.

01:45:50 Prevention is better than cure.

01:45:52 The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management

01:45:55 wishes to advise all persons to follow these seven steps

01:45:58 to be better prepared for adverse weather conditions.

01:46:01 One, trim overhanging branches from the trees

01:46:04 around your home or business,

01:46:05 as this can help prevent damage or injury during high winds.

01:46:09 Two, clear clogged gutters and drains

01:46:11 in and around your property.

01:46:13 Three, use hurricane straps and J clamps

01:46:15 to properly secure your roofing.

01:46:17 Four, in the event of strong winds are forecast,

01:46:20 prepare materials that could secure windows and doors.

01:46:23 Five, stock up on your emergency and medical supplies

01:46:26 to last you and your loved ones

01:46:28 for at least three days or 72 hours.

01:46:31 Six, fill and pre-position sandbags

01:46:33 in areas of the property that are vulnerable to flood water.

01:46:37 Seven, secure loose items around your area,

01:46:40 as these can become flying missiles

01:46:42 during high winds or adverse weather conditions.

01:46:44 Let's be prepared, be secured,

01:46:46 and be ready for the wet and hurricane seasons.

01:46:49 A message from the ODBM.

01:46:52 Inspiration through song makes our souls rejoice.

01:46:55 (wind blowing)

01:46:56 ♪ Go out and tell the world of Jesus ♪

01:47:00 ♪ Tell of the wondrous things he has done ♪

01:47:03 Inspirational dance is fueled by the spirit.

01:47:05 ♪ Go out and spread the gospel ♪

01:47:07 ♪ People tell the world of Jesus ♪

01:47:08 Inspiration is found in the diversity of nations.

01:47:11 ♪ Go tell the world of Jesus ♪

01:47:13 Inspired word of God, directs our path.

01:47:17 Join us every Monday morning at 8.30 a.m.

01:47:20 right here on TV6 for our many moments of inspiration.

01:47:24 (engines revving)

01:47:28 (dramatic music)

01:47:47 (tires screeching)

01:47:50 (tires screeching)

01:47:54 - I road save because life is precious.

01:48:00 Plus, I can't afford to pay another speeding ticket.

01:48:04 - A message from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

01:48:11 (upbeat music)

01:48:15 (upbeat music)

01:48:17 - All right, so welcome back everyone.

01:48:25 So we are sticking with the budget

01:48:28 and we are going to be discussing some fuel prices.

01:48:30 We do have this report for you.

01:48:34 Let's check it out.

01:48:34 It's from Jewel Brown.

01:48:35 - The fact of the matter is,

01:48:38 we as a government can't have a knee-jerk reaction.

01:48:41 We have to watch this thing.

01:48:42 Because if, for example, we were to adjust

01:48:45 the price of gas now,

01:48:47 and next week oil hits $100,

01:48:51 that is going to create problems for us

01:48:53 in terms of the fuel subsidy.

01:48:55 - Finance Minister, Colm Imbert,

01:48:57 in response to a question from TV6 News,

01:48:59 during the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturing Association's

01:49:02 post-budget forum at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Tuesday,

01:49:06 the government had introduced what it had called

01:49:09 a partial liberalization of fuel prices at the pump

01:49:12 that it had said would take into consideration

01:49:15 international crude oil prices,

01:49:17 but maintain a level of fuel subsidy.

01:49:20 TV6 News sought to find out from the Finance Minister

01:49:23 whether there could be a lower price for fuel at the pump

01:49:26 in fiscal 2024, contingent on a major dip

01:49:29 in the price of global crude oil prices.

01:49:32 The Finance Minister first repeated his criticism

01:49:35 about an article in the Express Newspaper

01:49:37 regarding expected measures in the budget,

01:49:39 which he did not announce in his budget presentation

01:49:42 in Parliament on Monday,

01:49:44 before responding to the TV6 News question.

01:49:47 - You would have seen in the budget statement,

01:49:49 I said that in 2022,

01:49:52 the fuel subsidy was $2.4 billion.

01:49:57 We didn't plan for that.

01:49:59 We planned for just over a billion,

01:50:01 and therefore we had to find that extra 1.4 billion,

01:50:04 and it has to come from somewhere.

01:50:06 It doesn't grow on a tree.

01:50:07 So when you have to subsidize gas

01:50:10 to the tune of $2.4 billion,

01:50:12 when you budget it only for 1 billion,

01:50:14 it puts pressure on other areas of the budget.

01:50:18 So we're going to keep prices at the current level for now.

01:50:22 - In the budget for fiscal 2023,

01:50:25 the government increased the price of premium gasoline

01:50:28 by $1 to $7.75 per litre,

01:50:32 the price of super gasoline by $1 to $6.97 per litre,

01:50:37 and the price of diesel by 50 cents to $4.41 per litre.

01:50:42 - And we will keep monitoring

01:50:43 and see whether these trends that we're seeing,

01:50:46 where oil is going 90 to 70, 70 to 90, 80, 85, 95,

01:50:51 just all over the place,

01:50:52 to see whether there's any trend that is outside there,

01:50:57 or whether we can't predict what's going to happen.

01:51:00 So the answer is, we are not raising the price of gas,

01:51:04 if that is your question.

01:51:05 - In his budget statement

01:51:06 to the House of Representatives on Monday,

01:51:08 the finance minister said,

01:51:09 because of the extreme volatility of oil prices,

01:51:13 it is difficult to estimate the required fuel subsidy

01:51:16 in 2024 accurately,

01:51:18 but added it may well reach $1 billion again.

01:51:22 Jule Brown, TV6 News.

01:51:25 - Right, so no fuel price hike.

01:51:28 We also have this report for you.

01:51:30 It's from the TTMA on the increase in the minimum wage.

01:51:36 During the post-budget forum hosted by the TTMA,

01:51:39 the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association,

01:51:42 its president, Roger Roach,

01:51:43 sought to make one thing very clear about the announcement

01:51:46 by finance minister Colm Imbert on Monday,

01:51:49 that there will be an increase in the minimum wage

01:51:51 from $17.50 per hour to $20.50 per hour

01:51:56 from January 1st, 2024.

01:51:59 - The TTMA has no objection.

01:52:02 And I want to repeat,

01:52:03 the TTMA has no objection

01:52:05 to this increase in the minimum wage.

01:52:07 In fact, we did a survey amongst our members

01:52:10 and we found that a lot of our members

01:52:13 are already paying workers above the minimum wage.

01:52:17 And the minister's figure is actually quite in line

01:52:22 with the results of our survey.

01:52:24 - The finance minister spoke

01:52:26 at the TTMA's post-budget forum

01:52:28 after he announced in his budget statement on Monday,

01:52:31 that the increase in the minimum wage

01:52:33 is set to benefit approximately 190,000 persons

01:52:37 in the workforce.

01:52:38 - And I'm very comforted to hear that it's not a problem.

01:52:42 And I'm seeing that from all the business groups,

01:52:45 all the chambers, the big chambers, the small chambers,

01:52:48 everybody's saying that the $20.50 is not a problem

01:52:52 because we were worried about it

01:52:55 because we know what the problem is.

01:52:56 If you put that wage too high,

01:52:58 a business has to look at its expenses

01:53:02 and labor is an expense.

01:53:05 - The finance minister then spoke about

01:53:07 the potential impacts of an increase in labor costs.

01:53:11 - And therefore, if the cost of labor is too much

01:53:13 in percentage terms or dollar terms,

01:53:16 then what you're gonna do?

01:53:17 You're gonna retrench.

01:53:18 We know.

01:53:19 So that we need to be careful about this.

01:53:22 - The opposition leader had called on the government

01:53:25 to increase the minimum wage to at least $25 per hour,

01:53:28 while trade unions called for a new minimum wage

01:53:31 of $30 per hour.

01:53:33 - And I'm so happy to hear that the rate that we chose,

01:53:37 that $3 increase, which is a significant increase, 17%.

01:53:41 And when we did the maths,

01:53:43 some minimum wage workers will get as much as $500 extra

01:53:48 per month, so I might get $900, security guards and so on.

01:53:51 And it's tax free because they're below the threshold

01:53:54 in terms of the tax rate.

01:53:57 So we're very gratified that this has not created a problem

01:54:01 for the business community,

01:54:02 and we could give help to people

01:54:04 at that lowest end of the spectrum.

01:54:07 - One of the panelists at the TTMA's forum,

01:54:09 economist Ronald Ramkisson, offered another perspective.

01:54:13 - We really should have as a goal,

01:54:15 the attempt to lift everyone

01:54:23 away from a minimum wage.

01:54:31 In other words, we want to be producing goods and services

01:54:36 that employs as many people as possible

01:54:40 at a much higher than a minimum wage,

01:54:43 because the idea must be to have a society

01:54:47 in which people can afford decent living, everybody.

01:54:52 - Jule Brown, TV6 News.

01:54:54 - And that's gonna do it for our program for today.

01:54:57 Remember, Emmy Prime comes up this evening.

01:55:00 See you all tomorrow, everybody.

01:55:01 Bye-bye.

01:55:02 (upbeat music)

01:55:06 (upbeat music)

01:55:27 (upbeat music)

01:55:30 (upbeat music)

01:55:33 (upbeat music)

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