In a statement issued on 29 October, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar accused unions organising the 30 October march of “racial and political hatred” towards political party the United National Congress (UNC). She urged citizens to avoid the protest route and Port-of-Spain, warning of possible provocation and violence involving the public and police. The National Trade Union Centre of Trinidad and Tobago (NATUC) maintained that the march would be peaceful and focused on workers’ rights.
This followed earlier remarks linking union protests to the ethnicity of the prime minister. Union leaders rejected that claim, citing demonstrations under previous governments. The dispute arose amid unresolved wage negotiations, arrears and employment concerns.
The event negatively affects the enabling environment for CSOs, particularly public culture and discourse. Portraying union action as racially motivated and potentially violent risks damaging public trust and discouraging participation. This also raises concerns regarding the exercise of fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of assembly, and State openness and responsiveness.