Mayaro MP: Reopen now, livelihoods at stake

Member of Parliament for Mayaro Rusthon Paray called on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to reopen businesses now, as many small businesses continue to suffer from the economic fallout of covid19 restrictions.

In a statement on Sunday, Paray said Dr Rowley must act now to save thousands of affected workers, farmers, and businesses from financial ruin.

“Dr Rowley must also publicly urge manufacturers to keep their workers on their payrolls, even with reduced salaries.”

He said Rowley should also reopen food establishments for delivery and curb side pick-ups.

“The Prime Minister must implore the banking community to provide meaningful concessions to home-owners and business proprietors, including genuine loan moratoriums and reduced charges.”

Paray said the curtailment of economic activities is having negative ripple effects that would add to the already high unemployment rate, financial bankruptcies, and insolvent small and medium enterprises.

He said the Board of Inland Revenue must also be instructed to relax the deadlines for tax compliance.

“The Prime Minister’s unthinking carte blanche (freedom to act as one wishes) approach is leading to unparalleled hardship throughout the country.”

Paray said Rowley should emulate countries that have effectively managed the financial disaster caused by the pandemic.

“The current national shutdown could have detrimental effects on a society already reeling from high unemployment, shortage of foreign exchange, negative economic growth, vanishing export markets and the worst debt crisis in its history.

The future of Trinidad and Tobago’s workers, farmers and businesspeople depend upon the Government’s management of this unmatched economic catastrophe.”