Senator: Security before money

In his contribution to debate on a motion by Independent Senator Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir to amend the Legislative Retirement Allowances Act, Roach said he could not support the motion in its entirety.

According to Roach, the Parliament should be focusing on the “apparent runaway level of murders” in the country and threats to the vulnerable in society, especially young women in recent times.

Rather than deal with increased pay for parliamentarians, he said crime was the issue which takes top priority in TT. “We as a Parliament should be preoccupied with and pressing the Government to do much better now,” Roach said. He asked his senatorial colleagues, “What is the purpose of having economic betterment when you will not be safe enough or free of criminal activity to enjoy same?” Roach, who is wheelchair bound, also told senators that differently abled people in TT “far outnumber senators without portfolios and suffer daily injustices while trying to eek out a living in a hostile and indifferent environment.” He said he was prepared to “forego any increase or emolum ent at this time” to ensure that the concerns of differently abled people are addressed.

Recalling recent industrial issues at State oil company Petrotrin, Roach said the Oilfields Workers Trade Union was not justified in threatening strike action or demanding wage increases during the current economic climate.

He added that Petrotrin was underperforming and unprofitable at this time.

Earlier in the sitting, Independent Senator Sophia Chote SC expressed her full support for the motion. “We are not here, cap in hand, asking for a pay hike,” she said, adding that many people do not know the quantum of work which Independent senators are required to do. She said some people devalue the contributions Independent senators make to the Parliament.