Trinidad and Tobago’s seemingly sustained crime wave has been sufficiently widespread and consistent, with one of the latest reports suggesting that the phenomenon has significantly impacted the behavioural practices of the work force and by extension, the business sector, by disrupting the manner in which that sector operates. A public comment published in the Wednesday September 18 issue of the Trinidad Guardian quotes the Industrial Court President, Heather Seale-Augustine, as saying that the severity of the crime situation in the twin-island republic has been sufficiently intense to affect the operating regime of the country’s business sector by disrupting the way companies operate. The comment points to a heightened level of anxiety at the political level over the crime wave that currently obtains in parts of the twin-island republic and the impact on a business sector which appears to be particularly targeted by criminal gangs.
The observation by the high-profile state official comes on the heels of earlier expressions of concern emanating from the business sector regarding the manner in which crime is derailing normal business operations in the country. At the recent Special Sitting to mark the opening of the 2024-2025 law term earlier this week, Seale-Augustine is quoted as saying that one of the consequences of the country’s ongoing crime wave has been severe disruptions in the manner in which workers operate, including tardiness in terms of their attendance at work. “In the area of tardiness some workers may find it unsafe to leave their homes either too early or return home too late and so may have difficulty in adhering to their scheduled hours of work, which in turn may lead to disciplinary action. Conversely, employers may be forced to change their opening hours and mode of operation with cost and other implications,” Seale-Augustine is quoted as saying. One consequence of this development, according to The Guardian report, is that workers are facing on-the-job penalties for lateness.
According to The Guardian report, in addressing her first special sitting to mark the opening of the 2024-2025 law term recently, “crime emerged as a central topic during her [Seale-Augustine] maiden address, where she discussed its debilitating effects on the Trinidad and Tobago workforce and how it influences judicial rulings at the industrial court”. Seale-Augustine also alluded to what she described as “a negative effect on productivity when workers and/or their employers witness violent events or are themselves or their close relatives the victims of violence.” The Stabroek Business, in an earlier report, had commented on concerns among gas station owners regarding the likelihood of night-time holdups by criminals might cause the time lines for opening to be reduced.
