Labour tends to be the garbage bin where we throw all the blame for any troubles arising in business and economic strategy. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Labour has the right to organise like corporations because, like corporations, they know what is in their best own interests; and when they cannot perceive it immediately, the right is theirs to sort it through properly.

But labour and capital are never equal, since labour is people and people must come first; and this is only natural.

Labour must study this more closely; it is under pressure to conform. The real problem would be when organised labour colludes with capitalism; in which case labour abandons itself to the worst that will happen and puts itself into the guilt of the greed, envy and despoliation.

It is not just a truism that capitalism is exploitative, it is a fact that capitalism can easily become overbearing and destructive trying to maximise profits and sector objectives, putting people and everything else — the environment, social dignity etc — last; and, in reality, in the aftermath, leaving others to struggle with the consequences.

Labour has to come up against these perversions of business and development; and since labour is comprised for the most part of ordinary people and communities who have to endure, labour can best put the checks on capitalist excesses.

In more recent times labour has had to bear even graver responsibilities, facing governments and other organisations that are capitalistic and that act in unison with corporations.

We must acknowledge and reassert the primacy of labour over capital and lend labour the advantage and our encouragement.

E GALY via email

There is dire need for us to explore that innate human ability gifted us all — the capacity to be mindful of ourselves and our surroundings, to be fully tuned in to our own mind, and be observant of, and sensitive to, others’ well-being. Such competence enables us to suspend judgment and approach our experiences with compassion, for ourselves and others; particularly relevant in how we relate to others.

It assures that we need not unchangingly hold to or otherwise defend our own ideas (fundamentalist- like). As columnist Gabrielle Hosein says, sometimes “… it’s best to simply listen.” For listening, especially empathetic listening, enables mastery of unselfish understanding, which is the magic of real human communication.

Listening then is an art, with its rules and guidelines. Good listeners are good communicators, offering complete concentration.

They are not distracted by their own anxieties or perturbed by information which may challenge settled assumptions. They are unfazed by anything which may for a time be distressing. Having been there and done that, they’re confident that things will fall back in place.

No need to shut out information which does not conform to hopes. In fact, the good listener, mindful and perceptive, acknowledges that in life it’s okay we are all just holding things together in various ways “… and we just need to go easy with one another, knowing that we’re all these incredibly fragile beings.” Listening also requires the listener to be strong enough to share in the experience of the other as if it were his own.

In these difficult and violent times, we all yearn for a calmer, more humane country, where our conflicts can be resolved peacefully.

There is a compelling need to discover ways of channelling our anger for positive change and narrowing the “divide;” in a word, for compassionate listening.

To get to the root of our conflicts we need to find common ground, and even forgive “the enemy.” Without compromise, governing a democracy is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible.

Anyone who doubts either the difficulty or the necessity of compromise need only recall the politics of the last three decades.

Today, the spirit of political compromise seems in short supply in this our native land. How else, then, do we come to grips with the issue of governance — partnership, engagement and participation of the people in the critical affairs affecting their lives and livelihoods? Many current and aspiring local politicians speak glowingly, as if to bask in the glory, of the Nelson Mandela legacy. How many understand the extent to which it derives from the accommodating and humble nature of the man and his commitment to and practice of compassionate listening? How about us, citizens?

WINSTON R RUDDER Petit Valley

At the beach in Moruga, near to the Columbus statue, there is a silver cross. Between six and eight adults were desecrating the cross. They were climbing on it and pretending to be nailed to it, while others in the group were cheering and videotaping.

This sight was deplorable and degrading to all Christians. The sacred symbol of the cross gives Christians a poignant, triumphant reminder of hope of the risen Christ. Those people with apparently no sense of respect for religious objects made me feel ashamed.

It is important that we respect others’ religions and religious symbols. My religion teaches me to forgive their ignorance. I hope that one day perhaps the younger generation will lead our country out of indiscipline and indifference to tolerance and peace.

J STOUTE via email

Technological advances have proven effects of reversing characteristics of human activities. Therefore, we Trinis, and indeed other Caribbean nationals, need to pay significant attention to how original pan was shaped and progressed to avoid its becoming obsolete and unwanted. Does it have to be submerged or displaced in current technological advancements in which it can lose its true face? Piano, an Italian invention of 1709, is subject to new technologies, yet traditional piano remains in demand. Which symphony orchestra would contain a digital piano or synthesizer? Let’s say, not yet.

We have to insist that Tom, Dick and Mary do not engage in any course which subjugates pan, no matter how excellent technology may be, to reconstruct its rank as second, third or “nowherian” class.

We have to make prominent pan’s history, its purpose, its life as an outstanding innovation in TT . Its birth is still tangible to many.

Pan carries the soul of TT music and illustrates how a positive can emerge from oppression, to establish the ingenuity of those who did not resist with war, but with music, sound and community.

YVONNE BOBB-SMITH Port-of-Spain

In the face of rising crime they tend to shift the blame on our attitude — a response that if not incorrect is insensitive to the victims of crime as well as their friends and family, co-workers and neighbours.

The loss of law and order continues to erode our faith in the Government as it continues to fail to convince us that it understands our fears and frustrations.

We as a nation are appealing for a positive programme for the restoration of a society of decency and order. The Government must assume a major role in the fight against violence and senseless killings. The Prime Minister must exert moral leadership, reinforcing the importance of respect for law and contempt towards those who continue to violate it by committing murder and other violent and heinous crimes. Harsher penalties must be imposed on convicted murderers and rapists.

The primary duty of any government is the safety and security of its citizenry and loss of law and order due to gang warfare is the most visible sign that a government has failed.

Those in authority and even citizens of this country continue to make statements about the crime situation that make them appear to be siding with the supposed villains rather than their victims.

Who or what do we turn to in the face of this crisis? During this Easter season the resurrection of Christ provides a semblance of hope.

We are now called to be a resurrection nation; we will rise above kidnappings and murders. The tomb is empty and this directly means our nation should also be emptied of all the murderers and criminals that create a barrier between us and peace.

This will be achieved by enforcing the death penalty on convicted murderers and rapists and that will send a strong message that these crimes will not go unpunished.

The negative influences may never be completely destroyed because of the attitude of those in authority, but we as individuals can continue to dream and do all in our power to rise above all obstacles and live a life of success.

Having recently been the victim of an arson attack against my home in Chaguanas, I have decided to rise above the violence, pettiness, immaturity, senselessness and cowardice of my enemies and have decided to travel the world sharing the message to millions, with speaking engagements and my very own motivational CD, that we can positively impact the world by daring to dream and rising above the evil influences that are designed to destroy us and prevent us from living our dreams.

SIMON WRIGHT Chaguanas

He was speaking at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre at the launch of the mainstreaming, acceleration and policy support (MAPS) UN mission to Trinidad and Tobago. The mission is here to assist the Government with mainstreaming the SDG’s into its own national development agenda – VISION 2030.

Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis said the launch of the MAPS signals the beginning of this country’s discussion on the development of an appropriate roadmap for implementation of the Government’s 2030 sustainable development plan. The mission will continue until Tuesday with bi-lateral meetings and stakeholder consultations being held in Tobago on Monday.

Robinson-Regis said the major objective of the exercise is to engage Government, national stakeholder groups comprising NGOs, the business sector, civil society groups, environmental groups, academia, development partners, the media and a UN team over a seven-day period in an exchange of ideas and to share experiences.

She said she plans to lay the strategy in Parliament on Friday.

Blewitt said over the past year the UN had supported the Government in advancing the achievement of the SDGs including organising a national dialogue on mainstreaming the SDGs into national development led by the UNDP with the help of other UN agencies as well as supporting the Government on data challenges of the SDGs. Blewitt said the mission will allow the ministry to validate the findings and identify gaps in the work done by the UN team based on a desk review of the draft Vision 2030 plan, plans of line ministries and comprehensive economic development plans for Tobago. He said the mission will also explore financing options for implementation of the SDGs and include consultation and guidance on prioritisation, ownership and coordination around the goals and targets and brainstorming around the strengthening of statistical foundations.

According to police reports, at about 2.30 pm on Saturday, officers went to a restaurant and bar at Cipero Road, Golconda, where they found a black Glock 17 pistol, fitted with a magazine with ten rounds of .9 mm ammunition and six packets containing a quantity of marijuana. The items were found under a tent in front the bar.

The officers attempted to arrest a man who was standing under the tent, however he ran into some nearby bushes. The officers chased the man but were unable to capture him.

Investigators say an arrest is imminent since the man is known to them.

In a separate incident, police say a man wanted in connection with two murders in the Southern Division was arrested on Friday.

Fr Harris, at Easter Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port-of-Spain said, “It’s no use asking the poor to change, if we are not asking the rich to change also. In all of this (economic downturn) it is always the poor who suffer.

The rich are not losing jobs; CEOs and executive managers are not losing jobs. “Those who lose jobs are always the poor.” Contacted for comment, Sagewan-Alli said the Archbishop was spot on in his assessment as there is a segment of society, comprising well to do individuals, who are not feeling any pinch because of the economic downturn because their pockets run deep.

“However, it is the middle class, the very large middle class and the low income class in the country that is bearing the burden of economic adjustment and the burden of the economic downturn.”

The businessman said he experiences no end of stress in getting items he wishes to donate cleared at local customs. He said a package containing socks, toothbrushes, colouring books, pencils, lunch bags, flash light and a toy walkie talkie, took two months to be cleared before it could reach an eight-year-old primary school student living in Biche.

“It is difficult to help poor kids in Trinidad.

There are too many barriers and this is a shame,” said Gualbance during a telephone interview from Toronto, Canada. Gualbance, 61, who migrated to Canada at age 21, from Rio Claro and established an internationally- acclaimed business known as Chelsea Foods Ltd, of which he is president, has been sending donations of toys, books, clothes, shoes and sporting equipment to children for the past ten years.

In 2013 he made the largest donation ever by an individual to the Biche Primary School when he shipped a truck-load of toys, books, footballs, shoes, table tennis and basket ball equipment. Parents had to accompany their children to the school in December of that year in order to assist in taking home the gifts.

Gualbance said that last year when he sent gifts, Customs and Excise seized most of the items which included packages of flower seeds for the children’s garden project at the Biche Primary School.

“I have had it. Imagine this was a donation that was going to children of a primary school and they took the stuff away.” On February 22, a package for Jasmine Naimool of Biche Village, which contained a toy walkie talkie, 22 batteries, pencils, lunch bag, Tylenol, gum, electric toothbrushes, books and a flash light, was sent by Gualbance in Canada. The child’s father Zamir Naimool, collected the package last week, having made ten trips to TTPost’s Piarco offices.

Gualbance said he has five more packages to send to needy children, “and as soon as that is complete, I am finished with charity work in Trinidad and you can thank Customs for this. I will focus on needy children in Barbados, which is a country whose Customs department is much more efficient and compassionate,” Gualbance said.

Speaking at an Energy Symposium last week at the University of Trinidad and Tobago’s Pt Lisas campus, Jupiter said various stakeholders in the oil and gas industries, including contractors and labour organisations, must work together to ensure survival of the fabricating industry. “We have done it before where all parties have come together and I still believe there is a future in the fabrication industry in Trinidad.

“I know clearly it was not easy at first. It was tough to ensure we do it (build platforms) in Trinidad and clearly after all of that time, there is no reason why it should not continue and I think it will continue but you have to look at cost. You have to look at cost of doing it in Trinidad. We have key players, all these guys who were involved in the Angelin project. I think we can do it again.” The symposium was titled, ‘Enhancing Oil and Gas Production in Trinidad and Tobago’, with speakers focusing on several oil recovery methods including polymer flooding and carbon dioxide injection.

It was attended by energy experts in the public and private sector.

Jupiter said Petrotrin received about 29 expressions of interest from companies, both locally and internationally, for enhanced oil recovery in mature fields which include use of steam, carbon dioxide, water flooding, gas injection and polymer flooding.

Asked whether there is a future for the oil industry in Trinidad and Tobago, Jupiter said: “Most certainly there is a future. When I entered the industry in 1979, I was told we had eight more years of oil production. From ‘79 to now, we are talking about 38 years and oil is still here…so there is a future.” Jupiter added, “And you heard today that if you can only produce 10-15 percent in primary oil recovery and another 20 percent in secondary oil recovery, that is where you have found oil already.

The amount of oil that is being produced so far, we can produce as much of that oil in the future. There is a great future for the oil industry in Trinidad and I do not believe it is only gloom and doom.”