[ARANGUEZ, 14 JULY 2021] — From the onset, it is important to establish that the Employers’ Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA) supports our national vaccination efforts and the aim of getting to “herd immunity”. All available research to date indicates that vaccination provides one of the best opportunities to return to some level of normalcy, to realise the reopening of business and economic activity, the restoration of jobs and livelihoods for all employee groups, return to live classroom learning for students, and to protect the safety and health of all citizens.

[ARANGUEZ, 18 June 2021] — We are all aware of the devastating impacts on lives and livelihoods around the world, as a result of measures taken to address a global Pandemic that is well into its second year. Truth be told, the pandemic has also exposed existing structural problems in many countries, including Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), such as extensive informality, deficiencies in education and skills training, weak social protection systems, and economic and social inequalities.

The result was a health crisis turned into an economic and humanitarian disaster.