Trinidad businesses have had enough of curfews

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, complaining that its members were paying "a heavy price" since the state of emergency (SOE) was imposed on August 21, is urging government not to extend the measure when it expires in six weeks.

Chamber president Catherine Kumar, speaking on the Chamber's radio programme, said that the SOE, which is accompanied by a daily five-hour curfew, has not dampened criminal activity and is affecting public spirit.

"One thing is certain, it would be imprudent to seek any extension of the state of emergency beyond December 6," she said, noting that with the Christmas and Carnival seasons fast approaching, the business community is banking on earning extra income.

"A further extension of the state of emergency must have a negative effect. Consequently, it is clear that public opinion is slowly turning against the state of emergency and more specifically the continuance of the curfew."

Kumar said that "it is undeniable that businesses have been paying a heavy price" since the People's Partnership coalition imposed the restrictions aimed at avoiding a bloodbath that would have made July 1990 when radical Muslims attempted to overthrow the then government, "look like a Christmas party", National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy.

Kumar said that some members of the private sector had to curtail operations "severely", some laid off workers, and others cut wages based on reduced working hours.

"The inevitable result has been that those least able to afford it have been the hardest hit," she said, adding that the time has come for the 17-month-old five-party coalition to devise a crime plan for the country.

"While the chamber has supported the state of emergency and curfew as necessary evils, we have consistently expressed that such support is hinged on the ability of the government, in collaboration with our security agencies, to develop and implement a sustainable national crime plan."