The People's Democracy
Public Statement
Posted: November 25, 2009
At a meeting held yesterday, the below listed organizations discussed the very many problems and issues that affect our members and the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. This was not the first such discussion in which our organizations have participated, though earlier discussions would not have involved us all at the same time. We have all, in our respective spaces and in our own way, been involved in trying to inform, educate and organize our members and the wider citizenry to engage in actions around issues.
We highlight some of the major problems that affect us today:
- Crime and violence
- The Property Tax - No Taxation without Representation
- Continuing high food prices and the neglect by the Government of food production by our farmers and fisherfolk
- The lack of regard for transparency and accountability as evidenced by the scandals surrounding the Integrity Commission and the Uff Enquiry into UDeCOTT.
- The mis-use of our patrimony to pursue mega projects rather than address the basic needs of citizens (health care, education etc) and communities (flooding, water etc)
- Disregard for the dignity of labour and the attacks on the institutions of labour and of the co-operative sector
- The lack of concern for the well being and welfare of the elderly (decent pensions etc)
- An attempt to further entrench a concentration of power in the hands of the Executive as evidenced by the proposals for reform of the Constitution and Local Government.
All of these issues, and the very many others that affect citizens, display a lack of concern and regard for the welfare and well-being of citizens. In this regard we share a common cause.
We all recognise that in order for us to address the issues and have the problems resolved we need to develop a shared understanding of the crisis that the nation now faces. Our consensus is that the principal issue which we must address, the one that is at the root of our problems is that of the system of governance.
We need to fashion a governance system that moves us away from a system and culture of "maximum leadership" to one of "maximum participation" and from a polarized political environment of "winner take all" to "all take win". Good governance is a necessary precondition to good government, which implies that decisions will stand the tests of justice, equity, transparency and accountability. Without good government we will never be able to achieve our aspirations and build a nation in which every citizen can develop to his or her fullest potential.
We also share the consensus that given the nature of the problems that we face, organizations have to move away from isolated efforts to engage in actions around the issue(s) that may affect their members to actions in which all citizens can participate.
In short, there is an imperative need for:
- A collective effort to engage our communities - both geographical communities and of communities of interest - in a process of sharing information and experiences; to wit a process of education and raising awareness.
- Collective action by which citizens can together express their dissatisfaction with the state of the nation and opposition to various policies that affect them adversely.
To this end we have agreed on the following actions:
- The holding of a "Citizens' Assembly" on Saturday November 7th to which all civil society organizations are invited
- Five days of citizens' action comprised of:
- Red Days - Wear Something Red on Friday November 20th and Saturday November 21st
- A Mass Rally on Sunday November 22nd
- Stay at Home Days - Monday November 23rd and Tuesday November 24th
- To engage in a process of public information and education both in the lead up to these five days and after.
We have also agreed that this process in which we shall collectively be involved will be carried out under the banner of "The People's Democracy". The following organizations subscribe to this statement of intent as of today's date (2009 October 25). However, during the coming days and weeks we will be dialoguing with many other organizations, some of whom have participated in our discussions, in order that "The People's Democracy" can truly reflect the diversity of interests and communities that are concerned about the state of the nation and share our consensus on the nature of the issues and the way forward.
ALL TRINIDAD GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
AMALGAMATED WORKERS' UNION
BANKING, INSURANCE AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
CANE PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
CATTLEFARMERS' ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
CARONI ASSEMBLY OF VILLAGERS
CLAXTON BAY FISHERMENS' ASSOCIATION
CLAXTON BAY RESOURCE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION
COMMUNICATION WORKERS' UNION
COMMUNITIES UNITED TO FIGHT UNDERDEVELOPMENT
CONSTITUTION REFORM FORUM
CONTRACTORS AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
EAST PORT OF SPAIN COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
EMPEROR VALLEY ZOO STAFF ASSOCIATION
ESTATE POLICE ASSOCIATION
FEDERATION OF INDPENDENT TRADE UNIONS AND NGOS
FIRE SERVICE ASSOCIATION
GOVERNMENT DAILY PAID RETIREES ASOCIATION
LA BREA CITIZENS UNITED
MANZANILLA WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS' ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
MUSICIANS UNION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
NATIONAL LAND TENANTS AND RATE PAYERS' ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL PETROLEUM STAFF ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL TRADE UNION CENTRE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
NATIONAL UNION OF DOMESTIC EMPLOYEES
NATIONAL UNION OF GOVERNMENT AND FEDERATED WORKERS
OILFIELDS WORKERS' TRADE UNION
ONE VOICE
PRISON OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
RICE FARMERS' ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
RIGHTS ACTION GROUP
SEAMEN AND WATERFRONT WORKERS' UNION
SOU SOU LANDS CO-OP SOCIETY
STEEL WORKERS' UNION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
TRANSPORT AND INDUSTRIAL WORKERS' UNION
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO POSTAL WORKERS' UNION
TRINIDAD YOUTH COUNCIL
UNION OF MEMBERS' CLUBS AND LOTTERY WORKERS
WALLERFIELD FARMERS AND ALLIED WELFARE ASSOCIATION
YESTT
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