Returning To Curfew
This week, we return to the topic of the existing State of Emergency and attendant curfew, since last week’s statements from the Chamber generated a significant amount of interest, if one is to judge by the media coverage.
For far too long, the population has been reeling from the impact of crime, fear for their lives and those of their families. Businesses have suffered both from loss of production and by the increased cost of doing business.
The Chamber wishes to re-iterate its continuing support for all efforts of Government and the Security forces, inclusive of the State of Emergency, which are aimed at bringing crime down to acceptable levels. This, in spite of the fact that several businesses were initially severely impacted by the curfew and some continue to be, even with the reduced hours.
The impact of the curfew in certain parts of Trinidad and Tobago has also been felt by persons least able to afford any loss of income. Where companies have had to curtail production hours, some of the lowest wage earners have suffered income loss. The self-employed too, such as late-night taxi drivers and roadside vendors, have had to absorb similar losses of income. These categories of operators are often ill-equipped to sustain such losses and so stand to lose the most.
Nightlife has definitely suffered, and so has the entertainment industry. With the arrests for breaches of the curfew having increased in recent times, one can only imagine that this is a sign of the population’s growing frustration with the restrictions of the curfew as well as the nature of arrests under the State of Emergency.
Further, without the clearly stated reasons for the Emergency, it is imperative that the anticipated long-term gains must be made clear. It is unfortunate that the application of the anti-gang legislation was not more successful, leading to a dismantling of criminal gangs, and we trust that the lessons learned from the cases thrown out are being used to further this objective.
The Chamber, although not being privy to all the information, will continue to support the current extended State of Emergency. This support, however, must be interpreted in the context of the Emergency being a means to address the stated threat to public safety.
However, in the National Security Council’s continuous review of the State of Emergency and curfew, we expect that the outcome is being assessed against the objectives as set out initially and expect that the results will clearly outweigh the sacrifices that the nation is being called upon to endure at this time.
If this can be achieved, the Chamber, and we are sure all of Trinidad and Tobago, would judge the State of Emergency to have been a success.
Particularly as the pre-Christmas and Carnival seasons approach, we call on the Government to be mindful that this is a period when earnings peak not just for large corporations, but for small operators and individuals who earn a little extra ‘on the side.’ In this context therefore, we re-iterate that it would be imprudent for any continuation of the State of Emergency beyond December 6th.
