Government Attempts to Hoodwink Scrap Iron Workers

The People’s National Movement (PNM) continues to create mayhem and chaos in the daily lives of the poor and vulnerable of Trinidad and Tobago, now it is the scrap iron industry, and its workers turn. The farcical and nonsensical statement by the Minister and Social Development and Family Services Ms. Donna Cox clearly demonstrates the hapless and irrational thought process of herself and by extension her government. The nationwide protest revolving around this issue is simply the government’s shutdown of the scrap iron industry without any contingency plans or realistic alternatives to absorb the negative fallouts from the temporary closure.

What analysis was undertaken in determining this course of action, some very basic questions should have been considered:

-How many persons directly or indirectly were impacted by this governmental decision?

-At this juncture, the government is unable to determine the number (s) of persons whose employment status are compromised by this heartless decision, this is another indictment of the failed planning process by the PNM administration.

-Are alternative employment opportunities available to absorb affected persons?

-What are the skills, knowledge and competencies of the affected persons in their quest to seek other employment?

The above questions when analysed would have mitigated against the harsh and unwarranted course of action adopted by the PNM government when the scrap iron industry was placed in abeyance.

The poor and vulnerable persons of this country whom on a daily basis eke out a living and by some quirk or faith provide sustenance and hope for their dependents through this industry are now devoid of a source of income.

To compound the unreasoned and callous actions of the government, the Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Donna Cox offers up a rhetorical retort by stating that scrap iron workers can apply for grants under her Ministry. Again, the PNM government embarks on deceit and aims to hoodwink the population by their and her public pronouncements.

This is a mere, public appeasement statement since any sane and reasoned citizen would immediately recognize that the affected persons would not be eligible for the grants and also the timeline relative to the reopening of school will not permit same. Also, where would this increased allocation come from baring in mind the current fiscal year is just a month from closure – who are they trying to fool?

The government must immediately develop a mechanism to assist struggling families affected by this unwarranted closure, in order to school and feed their children.
Remember the astronomical failure rate at Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) 2022 requiring remediation classes, this ought not to be repeated.

The government can as a short-term measure partner with importers and distributors of schoolbooks and uniforms and an interim arrangement with some relief mechanism action plan can be devised to remedy this dire situation. People must not be deluded by the Minister of Social Development and Family Services Donna Cox’s public utterances but instead demand some concrete and tangible governmental initiatives to bring about much needed relief.

Enough is Enough!

MP for Chaguanas East
Vandana Mohit