This is according to Association of Female Executives of Trinidad and Tobago member and accountant Sonia Scarce who yesterday hosted a half-day seminar for business owners at the Young Women’s Christian Association head office, St Clair.

During Scarce’s presentation titled, “A guide to business owners” some participants, including sole traders, said they were not aware that they had to file income tax returns or pay the health surcharge.

“They just register a business and go about their business merrily,” she said. “They weren’t aware of the penalty and the consequences of not filing on time.” Scarce told Newsday she was not surprised by the response from the participants as the idea to host the seminar was due to many of her clients telling her they did not know they had “to file this or pay for that” after they would have encountered a problem.

Scarce, who does financial planning and accounting for clients, said, “ They never knew because of a lack of knowledge.” When someone registers a business, she said, no one tells them what they have to do.

“When you go across to BIR to get a BIR number as a sole trader or as a company, nobody sits to tell you what your filing means,” he said.

Based on the response, Scarce now plans to host a similar seminar in San Fernando.

A release from the PATT said it noted recent media reports that she had been suspended.

“The Port Authority wishes to place on record that Ms Lewis has not been suspended and continues to hold her position as General Manager/Chief Executive Officer at the Port Authority.” The PATT said it viewed the statements as irresponsible and reckless as no verification of Lewis’ status as an employee was sought from the PATT.

The PATT called on members of the media to apologise to Lewis and to formally retract the untrue statements.

In response to a Guardian reporter’s question, Roget replied, “ Yes, we consider them to be anti- worker.” He said it was possible that GML could be “first among the list” of one percent businesses to be boycotted.

He claimed the Trinidad Guardian, “is listed among those who are leading an onslaught against workers and trade unions in this country.” Roget further alleged, “The newspaper itself through its editorial is condemning us for making statements for which we have a right to make.” However he countered, “We have a right to speak as they have a right to write and we will speak as long as we choose to exercise that right.” Roget said GML has been sending home workers “as a means of reprisal” to the efforts of the Banking and Insurance General Workers Union, in defence of those workers. Describing the Guardian as, “

Sadly, race and ethnicity are nearly always on the political agenda here in the UK, where I find myself at present, and this was quickened by the gloomily impending Brexit guillotine that will sever integration links with Europe that were developed over the last 30 plus years.

It was the perceived threat of streams of Eastern European and other nationalities coming into Britain that helped win the vote to leave the European Union.

Ideas of racial purity, as absurd as it is almost everywhere, remain potent.

Britain has been home to waves of peoples from Europe and elsewhere, including Africa, going back centuries and the mixing has been a huge success, so much so that the history has been forgotten.

Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury in England that brought the first big wave of West Indians to Britain.

There will be a lot of celebration as the ship’s arrival is considered one of the defining moments of British history, as was seen in the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.

A mock-up of the ship’s metal frame appeared alongside representations of the Industrial Revolution, WWI, the suffragettes movement, the 1936 Jarrow March, and the creation of the National Health Service.

The cultural impact of Caribbean and, later on, sub-continental Indian peoples has been greater than their actual number. Few of the approximately two million “black” people in the UK now identify themselves as Caribbean. Most of them, around three percent of the national population, are Africans arriving in the last 20 years.

The paradox of the Windrush celebrations, as historian Olusago underlines, is that it misleads the uninformed to believe that black people have only been in British life since 1948.

It came into relief when a Twitter war began three weeks ago when someone, eager to weed out political correctness, criticised a BBC cartoon featuring a dark-skinned father to a normal English family.

When a world-renowned Cambridge academic, expert on the Roman Empire, waded into the Twitter fracas to add that Africans were at all levels of even Roman life in Britain and Europe, she and scholarship were vilified by the ignorant.

There have been other cases of films and television programmes where historical research that correctly allowed for the casting of black and brown characters have been accused of wilfully distorting British history. And the doubters will not be convinced.

The truth is that with new isotope and DNA testing techniques, more irrefutable evidence is constantly appearing. In Olusago’s book he mentions the mixed race Roman Britons, including the famed Ivory Bangle Lady and many others through the centuries.

The moment of forgetting must be dated back to the Atlantic slave trade when the very humanity of African peoples was destroyed and the black presence in “island” Britain excised except where it existed in several archives and works of art that accurately record their historical period.

From them we know that black sailors were part of Sir Francis Drake’s crew and several black soldiers fought alongside Lord Nelson at Trafalgar, for instance.

It is curious that Britons know little about their part in the slave trade, which is still poorly taught in schools, yet are moved by telling of stories of slavery in the USA. The teaching of a whitewashed history is the reason Britons are ignorant of their past and why black Britons remain disadvantaged — less employed, lower paid, more criminalised.

Notwithstanding, next week’s Notting Hill Carnival will show, again, how through art, music, sport and fashion West Indians and others have become “standard bearers of a new cultural and national identity,” making indelible contributions to British life.

Guaya, the only unbeaten team left in League One, have a seven-point gap over FC Santa Rosa, who pipped neighbours University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT ) 2-1.

At the Defence Force Ground in Chaguaramas, the visitors took the lead through striker Carlon Hughes, before veteran defender Corey Rivers equalised in the 30th.

Former national defender Glenton Wolfe restored Guaya’s lead with a 60th minute penalty, while Hughes notched his second goal in the 72nd. Defence Force’s Michael Edwards reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 88th but Guaya maintained their slim advantage until the final whistle.

Santa Rosa got a crucial victory at the UTT O’Meara Campus Ground, Arima, courtesy of items from Rashad Griffith (35th minute penalty) and Nathan Julien (70th).

Shaquille Smith was on target for the hosts, in the 32nd, before Santa Rosa responded in emphatic fashion.

In another League One fixture, Cunupia FC registered a 3-2 victory over Queen’s Park at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima.

An own goal from Jamal Spencer, after eight minutes, put Queen’s Park ahead before Cunupia replied with strikes from Stevon Stoute (11th) and John Stewart (50th).

Devon Modeste scored the second goal for the Parkites, in the 60th, but Stewart netted the winner, for Cunupia, in the 79th.

At the Canaan/Bon Accord Recreation Ground, 1976 Phoenix FC responded from a half-time deficit to spank Siparia Spurs 4-1. Marlon Phillip scored on the stroke of halftime for Siparia, but Phoenix stormed back in the second half, with strikes from Akil Frank (49th), Shelton Williams (67th), Lejandro Williams (72nd) and Dave Grimshaw (90th).

In a meeting of the cellar-placed outfits, Club Sando Moruga and Bethel FC battled to a 2-2 draw at the Grand Chemin Recreation Ground, Moruga.

Andrew Samuel (second) and Jessie Edwards (34th) were the goal-getters for Club Sando Moruga while Teejay Cadiz (13th) and Nikosei Chance (30th) scored for Bethel FC.

And, at the WASA Ground in St Joseph, hosts WASA and Police played to a goalless draw.

The top of the table League Two clash, at the Edinburgh 500 Recreation Ground in Chaguanas, between Prisons FC and Central 500 Spartans was cancelled on Saturday, while fifth-placed Petit Valley/Diego Martin United swapped spots with Youth Stars in the points standings after a 2-0 win (over Youth Stars) at the Roxborough Complex.

Erick Charles netted both goals for Petit Valley/Diego Martin United, in the 37th and 86th.

Harlem Strikers defeated Marabella FCC by a 2-1 margin, at the Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre. Neon O’Garro scored twice for Harlem, in the eighth and 30th, while Husani Thomas pulled one back for Marabella, in the 86th.

Weekend Fixtures – League Two (Saturday) – Petit Valley/Diego Martin United vs Marabella FCC, Diego Martin North Secondary School Ground; Prisons vs Perseverance Ball Runners, YTC Ground, Arouca, 4 pm; Harlem Strikers vs Central 500 Spartans, Frederick Settlement Recreation Ground, 6 pm.

League One (Sunday) – Club Sando Moruga vs Guaya United, Grand Chemin Recreation Ground, Moruga; Queen’s Park vs Bethel United, Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field; Siparia Spurs vs Defence Force, Fyzabad Petrotrin Sports Club Ground; FC Santa Rosa vs Cunupia FC, Arima Velodrome; Police vs 1976 Phoenix FC, St James Barracks, 4 pm; WASA vs UTT , WASA Ground, St Joseph, 4.30 pm.

However checks yesterday on the Parliament’s website showed, this JSC is yet to confirm September 4 as its date to hold its hearing. As of yesterday, the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Bill, 2016 JSC is the first committee that will hold any kind of meeting in September.

This JSC will meet in camera at Tower D on September 5 from 10 am. After that, the Human Rights, Equality and Diversity JSC meets in camera on September 8 at Tower D from 10 am.

In other action on Tuesday, Boys Town United edged the high-flying Express 3-2 in an entertaining affair.

In game one of a doubleheader at North Oropouche grounds, the youth and stamina of SP Boys were enough to get past Alliance 3-2. A goal apiece from Jamaul Glenn and Jamal Wharwood before the half gave SP Boys a comfortable lead.

Alliance’s Daren Allen pulled one back early in the second half, making it 2-1, but it was Jamal Wharwood who completed his brace, sending the SP Boys supporters in a frenzy. Leornardo Dacosta brought Alliance within one with a goal but SP Boys walked away with full points. Game two on the night featured Two Touch versus Gremiol, in what seemed like a revitalised Two Touch team. The table proppers took the early lead when Ajay Andel lobbed the goalkeeper with a long range shot. But this goal awakened Gremio, who replied in rapid succession with two quick goals by Dwaine Ovid and Sherman De Gazon respectively. Gremio continued their goal scoring form after the interval through Joel Hoyte and a late hat-trick by Rickel Dickson, with an eventual score of 6-1. Gremio goalie Trey Eligon continued his solid showing for the Coalmine- based team looking to return to the final.

In game one last Wednesday, a late lone item by Garvin George from Fishing Pond Youths was enough to give his team maximum points over neighbouring rivals North Oropouche. El Carmen suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Boys Town United and Alescon FC respectively. Boys Town trounced El Carmen 8-0 last Wednesday. Dorian Robinson’s brace in the second half for Alescon was enough to see off Kerry De Four’s goal for El Carmen in the game that ended 2-1.

Manzan United had all to play for versus Gremio FC with first place position one victory away, after Dragon FC dropped points earlier in the week. Gremio FC, beaming from a recent 6-1 win earlier in the week, drew first blood in the first half with a strike by Joel Hoyte.

Elijah Parson equalised for Manzan United, but it was Hoyte who again put his team ahead to make it 2-1. But the action wasn’t finished, Maznan captain Darkiel Ferreira salvaged a point for his team with the last kick of the game.

Fixtures: Today – Fishing Pond Youths vs SP Boys, Fishing Pond Recreational Grounds, 4pm; Boys Town vs Two Touch, North Oropouche Recreational Grounds, 6:30pm.

Saturday – Express vs Fishing Pond Youths, Fishing Pond Recreational Grounds, 4pm; Gremio vs Alliance, North Oropouche Recreational Grounds, 6pm; North Oropouche vs Alescon, North Oropouche Recreational Grounds, 8pm.

Sunday – El Carmen vs Manzan Untied, North Oropouche Recreational Grounds, 6pm.

Both teams lost the penultimate round-robin matches.

Last Sunday, UTT went down against Defence Force in a close encounter 74-71. The latter placed its unbeaten record on the line and took control of the match-up from the jump, leading 19-10 after the first quarter, and extended its lead to 36-20 at half-time.

However, in the third quarter UTT made a 27-14 run which reduced the deficit to just four, despite the energetic pointguard Derrick Boxill being on the floor for the Defence Force for his first game this season.

The third quarter ended 51-47 in favour of Defence Force.

In the final quarter, the teams then traded baskets until the final three seconds with forward Steven “Lighter” Lewis netting the final two points from the free-throw line, for his match production of 14, to secure the win. Boxill finished with 17 which included four three-pointers and forward Kyeon Joseph added 10 to keep their team unbeaten going into the big-four play-offs.

For UTT, Jeffrey Harris led all scorers with 20 points and Lazard Campbell sank 18 points which left their team with a 2-2 record after four matches.

Meanwhile, Caledonia Clippers lost for the first time in its four matches to date.

WEEKEND RESULTS: Saturday Boys 21 and Under Division – Brian Chase Basketball Academy def Potential 70-54; Hawks Basketball Academy def Straker Nets 99-31.

Men’s First Division – Straker Nets def Off Limits 71-57.

Sunday Boys 16 & Under Division – Spartans BA def Brian Chase BA 51-43.

Boys 21 & Under Division – Trailblazers BA def Togetherness BA 66-48.

Men’s First Division – Defence Force def UTT 74-71.

The PM made this point to labour representatives during a four-hour meeting with them at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in St Clair. Rowley agreed to meet with the trade unions again on September 13. During yesterday’s meeting, Rowley offered to host an open forum next month where the business community and the labour movement would be given an opportunity to present their respective cases to the country.

In a statement issued by the OPM after the meeting, Rowley said, “There have been no mass retrenchments; we have borrowed considerably to maintain the Government expenditure on human resource maintenance.” He continued, “Some contract workers have not had their contracts renewed but that number is much smaller than those who have had their contracts renewed.” Rowley was heartened by the unions’ pronouncement that their withdrawal from the National Tripartite Advisory Council (NTAC) was temporary.

The Prime Minister said he was willing to consider some restructuring of the NTAC.

Rowley said,”We are better sitting around the table than shouting at each other. There is nothing to be gained by labour from refusing to sit around the table.” Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus, Energy Minister Franklin Khan and Minister in the OPM Stuart Young also attended the meeting.

Speaking with reporters outside of the OPM after the meeting, Joint Trade Union Movement leader Ancil Roget confirmed that labour will meet with Rowley on September 13. However, Roget said labour was not ready to rejoin either NTAC or the National Productivity Council at this time. He said both entities should be restructured , with Government not chairing and being a member of the same entity in each case. Roget said Rowley did not agree with labour’s call for a moratorium on retrenchment but did listen to the movement’s concerns.

Roget said labour wanted to make a significant contribution to the upcoming 2017/2018 Budget. He expressed concerns that the Budget could contain International Monetary Fund and World Bank prescriptions which would hurt workers and the wider population as well.

Roget said labour felt disrespected that wage negotiations that were settled are not being implemented while other negotiations have not started yet. Реклама: Rent-scooter.com Scooter rental in Barcelona

He also said labour wanted Government to give particular attention to amending the Retrenchment and Severance Benefits Act, to make it more difficult for employers to retrench workers at will. Roget said the labour movement understood the country’s current economic challenges. However, he added, all stakeholders must be cognisant of the need for maintaining industrial peace and stability at this time. Roget said reference was made to the domestic seabridge issue during the meeting, in the context of corruption and the perception of corruption

“A large number of children will be on their own for the first time,” Rodriguez said.

“These children are vulnerable and can be easily influenced.

Predators use this period to target our children.” She encouraged parents to know their children’s friends and to check their school bags regularly to ensure there are no prohibited items there. She emphasised role of parents and guardians teaching their children safety practices and said children should be taught to distance themselves from strangers who attempt to make contact with them. If such an incident occurs, they should report the matter immediately to an authority figure such as a parent or teacher.

Rodriguez said children should be discouraged from entering vehicles, even if familiar, without their parents’ permission and urged that when travelling, the make, colour, number plate and driver’s description be noted before entry.

Internet security was also a key topic at the briefing. Rodriguez expressed the need for parental supervision of children’s internet activity and the need for time limits on their children’s internet use. “Computers, cellular phones, tablets and such, should always be placed in a common area of the house. They should never be placed in a child’s bedroom.

The placement in a living room or dining room will allow you to monitor them and their activity occasionally.” Rodriguez said children should be educated on the dangers of the internet and the predators that use it to gain access to their victims and thus should be discouraged from revealing personal information online. She said predators often pose as minors with the intent of befriending children.