Lead Editor-Politics
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has warned public sector employees who fail to perform their duties that they will be dismissed and replaced by people willing to work.
Speaking during her contribution to the 2027 Budget debate in the House of Representatives yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said her Government would no longer tolerate poor work ethics and low productivity among workers paid by taxpayers.
“For those of you working for the state who do not want to give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, you will be terminated, and those jobs will be given to persons who want to work. That is plain talk,” she declared.
Persad-Bissessar framed the warning as part of a broader effort to rebalance society in favour of working- and middle-class citizens, whom she said were carrying the country on their backs. She argued that too many hardworking citizens were being overlooked while others benefited from government programmes without making meaningful contributions.
Persad-Bissessar said public sector employment and opportunities must be based on merit, accountability and performance rather than political connections. She also urged state agencies to improve how they treat citizens seeking housing, social assistance and other services.
Despite her stern message to underperforming workers, Persad-Bissessar reassured public servants awaiting salary increases and backpay that her administration remained committed to honouring those obligations.
She said the 2027 Budget included funding for negotiated wage settlements and arrears across several groups.
“These obligations matter because workers should not have to spend years wondering when their entitlements will be addressed. We will continue engaging with the trade unions and working towards a resolution of outstanding matters,” she said.
However, Persad-Bissessar did not identify any specific union, nor did she indicate when outstanding negotiations would be concluded.
Free CAL seats
for sick children
The Prime Minister also announced a new initiative with Caribbean Airlines to assist children who must travel overseas for medical treatment.
Under the programme, the airline will provide a free seat for a child seeking treatment abroad and a second seat for a parent or accompanying caregiver.
The initiative will complement assistance already provided through the Children’s Life Fund, which supports children requiring specialised treatment unavailable locally.
Persad-Bissessar thanked Caribbean Airlines and Minister Eli Zakour for helping to facilitate the programme.
Turning to politics, Persad-Bissessar issued a warning to the Opposition and individuals she accused of financing criminal activity, saying any attempt to spread civil unrest beyond Port-of-Spain would be met with a strong response.
“Maybe they and the local drug mafia hope to encourage civil disorder. Maybe. That’s okay. You all can do what you want west of the Lighthouse. You can mash up the place for all I care. But the day it crosses east of the Lighthouse and south of the Lighthouse, you will get a swift and brutal response from my government. Remember that.”
She also accused the People’s National Movement of attempting to stir racial tensions and vowed to challenge such efforts.
“This is not Kamla and UNC you all got accustomed to,” she said.
“I will call you all out. I will drag you out. I will beat you to a frazzle politically. And then I’ll beat you to a frazzle.”
On national security, Persad-Bissessar vowed an aggressive response to violent gangs.
“We will brutalise the violent gangs within the law. We will brutalise the local drug mafia PNM financiers within the law,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar maintained that protecting law-abiding citizens remained the Government’s foremost responsibility.
She cited Police Service statistics showing 265 murders between January and September 2026, compared with 475 during the corresponding period in 2024, a reduction of 210 killings, or 44.2 per cent.
She also highlighted the Government’s $7.321 billion allocation to national security, saying the funding would strengthen policing, border security, technology and prison operations.
