Category: CANA News

The chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) Sir Hilary Beckles, will lead a six-member delegation on a ‘groundbreaking visit’ to the United Kingdom, the Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat announced on Friday.

It said that the four-day visit will begin on November 17 and is intended to ‘advance its advocacy for reparatory justice. ‘The delegation’s mission is to strengthen strategic partnerships and promote a joint programme of public education and engagement on the reparations agenda,’ the Secretariat said, adding that the visit is being organised with the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, which will host the delegation’s meetings and events.

Apart from Sir Hilary, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), the other members of the delegation are Eric Phillips, the chairman of the Guyana Reparations Committee; Ambassador David Comissiong, the Barbados Ambassador to CARICOM and vice chair of the Barbados National Task Force on Reparations; Dr. Niambi Hall Campbell, chairperson of the Bahamas National Reparations Committee; Arley Gill the chairman of the Grenada National Reparations Committee and Dr. Hilary Brown, Programme Manager, Culture and Community Development at the CARICOM Secretariat.

‘This marks the first official visit by the CRC to the UK as a collective body. The itinerary includes high-level engagements with High Commissioners and Ambassadors from CARICOM member states and the African Union, UK Parliamentarians, including members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Afrikan Reparations, civil society leaders, academics, media professionals, and members of the Caribbean diaspora,’ the Secretariat said.

‘The visit underscores the CRC’s commitment to building international alliances and fostering dialogue around reparatory justice, historical accountability, and socio-economic transformation,’ it added.

The CRC is a regional body created to establish the moral, ethical and legal case for the payment of reparations by the governments of all the former colonial powers and the relevant institutions of those countries, to the nations and people of the Caribbean Community for the Crimes against Humanity of Native Genocide, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and a racialized system of chattel slavery.

The Trinidad and Tobago government Friday announced that the United States military will be engaged in a joint training exercise with members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) but dismissed suggestions it forms part of the preparation for a possible military intervention in neighbouring Venezuela.

The announcement of the November 16-21 military exercise, follows media reports quoting the Attorney General, John Jeremie as saying that the US military is expected to intensify training exercises in Trinidad and Tobago.

Jeremie told the UK’s Financial Times that the US 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) would intensify exercises ‘in the coming days’ Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Sean Sobers, speaking at a news conference, said the TTDF and the MEU, which is deployed to the US Southern Command ‘will engage in training exercises.

‘This upcoming activity forms part of our long standing history of collaboration between the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and the US military. Trinidad and Tobago continues, unfortunately to be burden by the scourge of gun related crime and gang violence,’ Sobers said.

He said the intensified military exercises ‘form part of a coordinated strategy to ensure that our personally are optimally trained and equipped to address those issues in our domestic environment which have taken a tremendous toll on our society’.

He said the focus of the exercise will be ‘military to military engagement, allowing personnel from both countries to become familiar with each others equipment, tactics and techniques,’ adding that the exercises will challenge them as well as offering an opportunity to expand their expertise and professional development.

He said that the training will take place ‘across Trinidad and Tobago in both urban and rural environments with operations scheduled during dusk and after dark ‘.

In recent weeks, the United States has been building up a military presence in the region under the pretext of eradicating the illegal drugs trade, but political observers say the move is aimed more at regime change in Venezuela, which Washington said is being led by a dictator in Nicolas Maduro.

Washington has sent several warships including the world’s largest carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford into the area. The Americans have killed several people, including two Trinidad and Tobago nationals in strikes on what it termed illegal vessels carrying drugs in international waters and Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, which has dismissed the notion of the region being regarded as a zone of peace, is on record as saying that those in the illegal drug trade should be ‘killed violently’.

Sobers maintained that the military exercises are ‘part of the many side by side exercises that the US military has long conducted in partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force’.

He dismissed as ‘conjecture’ the island being used as a staging point for the possible removal of Maduro in Caracas, saying also that Washington would not inform the Persad-Bissessar government of the whereabouts of the USS Gerald R Forde.

‘Because it is not something that the US would speak to us about.it is a military ship. They have their need to know positions and at this juncture it does not touch or concern Trinidad and Tobago. So we don’t need to know’.

Sobers said he would also not comment on ‘unverified’ reports that Russia has been deploying several military assets in support of Venezuela, adding ‘we had no reason to reach out to Russia concerning anything as it relates to Venezuela.

‘Russia has assisted Venezuela in the past ‘on a number of different occasions in a number of different iterations,’ he said, adding that there is nothing to ‘push us to reach out to the Russian consulate in Guyana and ask them anything about their relations with Venezuela.

‘We know that they are good friends and they have bilateral relations, nothing is wrong with that’.

Trinidad and Tobago and the United States have signed an amended Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in late 2024, extending their prior military agreement which was first signed in 2007.

The new agreement will remain in effect indefinitely, although the specific details have not been publicly disclosed. The agreement facilitates military-to-military cooperation, but the government has denied claims that it allows the US to deploy troops in the country for a conflict in Venezuela.

But Sobers told reporters that the question of whether he would support the US invasion of of Venezuela ‘would not arise, it is conjecture and two, the US military apparatus belongs to the United States government.. if they feel to move it from the Antarctic, they will do that. If they feel to move it from the Antarctic to the South Pole, they will do that.

‘We have absolutely no control where they decide to move these ships or submarines.to wherever they want to move them. They are saying and they have said to the world that the position is we are attacking narco-traffickers and trans national crim.

‘They believe that moving around those ships may very well help them to do that, well so be it. Essentially then your question should be posed to them and not to Trinidad and Tobago because the ships don’t belong to us, we don’t direct the ships where they need to go, we are not in control of their marine unit.so that’s a question I think is conjecture,’ Sobers told reporters.

‘All I am saying is if you ask me something factually, I will answer. If you ask me something based on conjecture, what would you do if this happens, I have never done it as a lawyer and I am not going to do it as a minister.

‘If it happens trust that your government will stand with you and we will make the best possible decision in the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago’ said Sobers, who also indicated he would not comment on the SOFA agreement because it is of a ‘national security’ concern.

He said that the US war on drugs was having as a positive effect in Trinidad and Tobago with a drastic reduction in crime linked to drugs including murders.

Suriname’s state-owned oil company Staatsolie has officially approved the commercial declaration of the Sloanea gas discovery made by Malaysia’s Petronas in one of the country’s most promising offshore areas, Block 52.

The announcement on Thursday marks a major milestone in the development of Suriname’s offshore oil and gas industry and highlights the strong partnership between Staatsolie and Petronas Suriname Exploration and Production.

The collaboration between Staatsolie and Petronas began in 2013 with the signing of the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for Block 52. Since then, three discoveries have been made within the block.

Petronas serves as the operator with an 80% stake, while Paradise Oil Company (POC) – a wholly owned subsidiary of Staatsolie – holds the remaining 20%.

In late 2020, Petronas drilled the Sloanea-1 exploration well, which confirmed the presence of a gas reservoir. Following the PSC framework, Staatsolie and Petronas jointly evaluated the commercial potential of the find.

Their assessment led to the signing of a gas addendum to the contract, establishing the foundation for future development of the project.

To better define the size and potential of the Sloanea reservoir, Petronas Suriname drilled the Sloanea-2 appraisal well in 2024.

Extensive testing enabled a more accurate estimate of gas volumes and economically recoverable reserves.

The commercial field delineation approved by Staatsolie, defined in the PSC as the ‘Date of Declaration of a Commercial Field,’ signifies that the volume of recoverable gas is sufficient to make the project economically viable.

The proposed development concept includes gas production wells, subsea infrastructure, and a floating LNG facility (FLNG) – the first of its kind in the region.

The next phase of the process will see Petronas prepare and submit a development plan for Staatsolie’s approval. Following that, the partners will move toward a Final Investment Decision (FID), expected in the second half of 2026.

If the project proceeds according to plan, Suriname’s first offshore gas production is anticipated to begin in 2030, marking a significant step toward diversifying the nation’s energy portfolio and strengthening its position in the regional energy market.

The Chief Executive officer of LIAT Air Hafsah Abdulsalam, says the regional carrier is accelerating its international expansion plans by confirming new flights into Panama, Belize, and Colombia.

Hafsah Abdulsalam

She also confirmed the potential for flights into Africa as part of its long-term strategy.

‘We will be operating flights into Panama with the same aircraft so it’s all subject to where we receive the aircraft but this is definitely in our sights, in our plans and so those are the additional routes we’ll be seeking to open up. We’ve got plans to fly into Colombia and, as you know, we’ve got Belize on the works,’ Abdulsalam stated.

The CEO emphasized the strategic importance of establishing a strong regional foundation before the company launches any long-haul international flights.

The immediate plan is to strengthen the regional network and eye improvements in Liat Air’s service

Concerning the African venture, Abdulsalam says Liat Air is shoring up its resources on this side of the Atlantic first, although Africa is in the long-term strategy.

Part of those plans include a stronger alliance with Spartan Air Peace.

The airline is looking to strengthen that relationship a little bit more where they establish an interline arrangement, allowing persons seeking to buy a ticket through Liat and fly on Air Peace 11.

Liat Air is also currently engaged in discussions with several international carriers to establish partnerships that will offer seamless travel options for passengers.

These interline arrangements would allow their passengers to purchase tickets connecting them to destinations far beyond the region.

Meanwhile, the Toronto market in Canada is also being actively explored as a near-term possibility.

This would necessitate the introduction of larger aircraft into the fleet. However, direct flights to the United States remain off the table until the eastern Caribbean region successfully regains its Category 1 aviation status, Abdulsalam stated

The expansion is contingent on fleet growth, specifically the addition of a new narrow-body aircraft. Abdulsalam addressed challenges: ‘We do have a narrow-body aircraft that is due to join the fleet but obviously there’s still some issues around getting engines for the E2195 aircraft,’ she said.

‘There’s a global issue regarding engines and all that so once that is resolved that aircraft will also join the fleet so all things being equal. We should have a stability for at least seven aircrafts by next year,’ she noted.

Abdulsalam concluded that the airline’s expansion plans reflect its ongoing commitment to providing affordable and reliable connectivity for Caribbean travellers.

In a formal ceremony held on November 12, Trinidad and Tobago’s cricket icons Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard were officially appointed as National Sports Ambassadors.

Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers(C) stands alongside newly-appointed sports ambassadors Kieron Pollard (L) and Dwayne Bravo, at the ministry’s headquarters in St Clair, on November 12. – (courtesy Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs)

The instruments of appointment were presented by Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, Dr Sean Sobers, at the ministry’s headquarters in St. Clair.

The appointments fulfil a government commitment to honour the nation’s most distinguished athletes, whose accomplishments on the global stage serve as an inspiration to citizens and elevate Trinidad and Tobago’s international profile.

‘These appointments reflect the Government’s commitment to honouring outstanding national performers, whose achievements inspire our citizens and advance TT’s presence worldwide,’ a ministry statement confirmed.

The path to this honour began in early September when Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Phillip Watts, first announced plans to appoint Bravo following a post-cabinet meeting.

That decision was swiftly validated on the field, as the Trinbago Knight Riders, coached by Bravo, clinched the Caribbean Premier League title on September 21, defeating the Guyana Amazon Warriors in a thrilling final in Providence.

The championship victory sparked a wave of national celebration. Just two days later, on September 23, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar hosted the triumphant TKR squad, along with World Athletics Championships medallists Keshorn Walcott and Jereem Richards, at the Diplomatic Centre in St. Ann’s.

During that event, the Prime Minister not only announced that the TKR team would receive the prestigious Chaconia Gold medal but also named TKR captain Nicholas Pooran, star all-rounder Pollard, and javelin champion Walcott as Sports Ambassadors.

While the official appointment dates for Nicholas Pooran and Keshorn Walcott remain to be finalised, the government has expressed great anticipation for its new collaboration with Bravo and Pollard.

The ministry’s statement concluded, ‘The ministry looks forward to working with Mr Bravo and Mr Pollard as they champion the values of excellence, teamwork and national pride at home and abroad as well as promote TT’s brand internationally.’

Jamaica is celebrating a moment of hope and gratitude following the successful separation of conjoined twins Azaria and Azora Elson, who underwent life-changing surgery in Saudi Arabia earlier this week.

The announcement was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, on social media Thursday.

‘Dear Jamaica, in our own difficult times, there are blessings for which we are grateful,’ Johnson Smith wrote. ‘For everyone who prayed for little Azora and Azaria, our conjoined twins, they were separated this morning by the skillful surgical team of the King Salman Humanitarian Mission in Saudi Arabia.’

She confirmed that while one of the twins will require additional heart surgery for an unrelated condition, both are currently stable.

The twins, who are 20 months old, left Jamaica in July for the complex procedure at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh.

They are Omphalopagus twins, joined at the abdomen and sharing a liver, a rare congenital condition occurring in approximately one in every 50,000 to 150,000 live births worldwide.

The girls had remained under care at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) since birth due to their condition and associated medical complications, including congenital heart abnormalities.

Their departure was made possible through the intervention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, which facilitated dialogue between UHWI and officials of the Government of Saudi Arabia.

The twins were supported by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, which covered all medical, transportation, and logistical costs.

The Saudi Programme for Separating Conjoined Twins, now in its third decade, has achieved remarkable success, having separated 66 pairs of conjoined twins worldwide.

The successful operation marks a milestone not only for the twins and their family but also for the Jamaican community, which has followed their journey from Kingston to Riyadh with hope and anticipation.

Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke on Wednesday condemned the passage of the Republican-led Continuing Resolution (CR), a legislative act that provides temporary funding for federal agencies to continue operations when annual appropriation bills have not been passed by the start of the fiscal year.

Yvette D Clarke

The CR serves as a ‘stopgap’ measure to avert a US Government shutdown and allows more time for lawmakers to agree on a final budget.

‘Moments ago, I voted ‘no’ on the dirtiest ‘Clean CR’ to ever reach the House Floor,’ Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

‘This hateful legislation not only condemns millions of Americans to healthcare costs they cannot afford and safety-net cuts they cannot survive, but it also affirms to Donald Trump that there is no evil and no cruelty his administration can concoct that his lackeys in Congress will not co-sign,’ added the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. ‘In no uncertain terms, this bill is a betrayal of the American people.

‘The Trump Shutdown may be over, but I am heartbroken to say its impact will reverberate throughout the country long into the future,’ Clarke continued. ‘It will be felt by the 24 million Americans whose premiums have been allowed to double. It will be felt by the millions more Americans on SNAP who are still starving under the president’s brutal decision to slash its budget. And it will be felt by countless others whose pain will reveal itself in the days, weeks, and months ahead.’

The congresswoman thanked members of the armed services, air traffic controllers, and all other federal employees who worked for ’42 gut-wrenching days without a paycheck.

‘While House Republicans enjoyed an eight-week vacation on their dime, these dedicated leaders dug in and did their duty,’ she said. ‘For their service and perseverance throughout this disgraceful chapter in America, they will always have my gratitude.

‘No matter what hardships lie ahead, my vote against this CR was the only acceptable outcome for the people of Brooklyn,’ Clarke added. ‘They understand that worthless promises won’t restore the ACA premium tax credits they rely on. They know the fight does not end here. The Republican Party may have given up on the future Americans deserve, but we never will.’

In a joint Democratic leadership statement on the Republican-led spending bill, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said that ‘the American people deserve better than the chaos, cruelty and corruption that has been unleashed on the country by President Donald Trump and Republicans since the beginning of his presidency.

‘House Democrats will continue our fight to lower the high cost of living, decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis and extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits,’ Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Aguilar added. ‘We will fight to protect Medicaid, Medicare, hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics.’

Over the past several weeks, they said ‘a handful of Republicans claimed to be interested in addressing the healthcare crisis that they have created in America.

‘Open Enrollment is here, and the Congress must act with urgency,’ the Democratic leadership said. ‘Now is the time for so-called traditional Republicans to join with House Democrats, sign the discharge petition and force a vote on our bill to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years.

‘House Democrats are in this fight until we win this fight,’ they added.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Thursday said that countries that attended the fourth European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States ( EU-CELAC) in Colombia earlier this week, have reiterated the need for the Caribbean region to remain a zone of peace.

Skerrit, who led his country’s delegation to the meeting in Santa Marta, told a news conference that the leaders from Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union had reaffirmed ‘our commitment to democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

‘We further pledged to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter, sovereign equality, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

‘CELAC’s declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace was again endorsed. We recognised the importance of dialogue, cooperation and maritime security, especially for small island states like ours,’ he told reporters.

In recent weeks, the United States has been building up a military presence in the region under the pretext of eradicating the illegal drugs trade, but political observers say the move is aimed moreat regime change in Venezuela, which Washington said is being led by a dictator in Nicolas Maduro.

Washington has sent several warships including the world’s largest carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford into the area. The Americans have killed several people, including two Trinidad and Tobago nationals in strikes on what it termed illegal vessels carrying drugs in international waters and Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, which has dismissed the notion of the region being regarded as a zone of peace, is on record as saying that those in the illegal drug trade should be ‘killed violently’.

Skerrit said the meeting in Colombia also acknowledged the neutrality of the Panama Canal as essential to global peace, trade and stability.

‘We discussed the growing number of conflicts around the world and expressed deep concern over their humanitarian impact. We agreed that diplomacy, dialogue and respect for international law must guide our actions.

‘On Ukraine, we supported all efforts toward a sustainable ceasefire and a just peace based on sovereignty and territorial integrity. On the situation in Gaza, we welcomed the first phase of the Comprehensive Peace Plan and urged all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and allow the safe delivery of aid,’ he added.

Skerrit said he is joining his colleagues in reaffirming support for the people of Haiti and the ongoing efforts to restore security and stability in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

‘We also repeated our opposition to the economic and financial embargo imposed on Cuba and called for an end to unilateral measures which affect its development. As you know Dominica has been consistent on this matter.’

He said that a major focus of the discussions was the need for reform of the international system and agreed that the United Nations must become ‘more representative, inclusive and democratic, reflecting the realities of today’s world.

‘CELAC countries proposed that the next UN Secretary-General should come from our region, and this received strong attention,’ Skerrit said, adding that ‘we also supported reforms to the global financial architecture to make it more just and responsive to the needs of developing nations.

‘I stressed that small island developing states like Dominica need greater access to concessional financing and debt relief based on their vulnerabilities and exposure to climate and economic shocks.

‘We reaffirmed our commitment to a fair, rules-based multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and welcomed the strengthening of trade and investment ties between Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean,’ he added.

The Dominican leader said a key outcome for the region was the emphasis on climate resilience and the energy transition.

‘We renewed our collective commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement. I took the opportunity to highlight Dominica’s leadership in building a climate-resilient nation and advancing a clean energy agenda through geothermal development.

‘We also discussed regional cooperation to address environmental challenges such as sargassum, turning them into opportunities for innovation, job creation and sustainable growth,’ he said, adding ‘in all, this meeting was a reaffirmation of solidarity between Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe’.

Skerrit also took the opportunity to wish fellow Labour party governments in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia ‘all the best’ in the general elections carded for November 27 and December 1 respectively.

He dismissed the idea of interference in the internal affairs of the two countries, saying that the Dominica Labour Party (DLP)which he leads has always enjoyed good relations with sister labour parties in the region and it is in that context he is wishing them success in the elections.

‘in the end it will be left to the people of these countries to choose a government of their choice,’ he said, adding that his government would work with who ever emerges victorious in the democratically held polls.

Reggae superstar Buju Banton has accused Transport Minister Daryl Vaz of trying to ‘shame and blame’ him, following reports hurricane relief items were stolen at the port .

The claim made the Buju Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, came after Vaz dismissed his claim on Thursday.

In a video shared by the entertainer on Wednesday, Banton had alleged that containers filled with relief items for disaster victims were being stolen, posting a photo showing a half-filled barrel as evidence.

However, Vaz refuted the claim on Thursday morning, stating that an investigation showed no evidence of missing or tampered goods.

According to the minister, the shipment in question arrived on Tuesday and was cleared immediately by the customs broker.

He emphasised that the items were never stored or moved offsite, but went directly from the aircraft on the tarmac to the receiving truck.

He said the customs officer who cleared the items confirmed that the pallets were sealed, adding that they were also cross-checked against the list provided by the sender.

‘Nothing was missing or disturbed,’ Vaz said.

However, Banton hit back in a subsequent post later Thursday morning, suggesting that the minister is ‘unaware of how things went’.

The Court of Appeal on Thursday granted conditional leave for the ‘Vaccine Mandate Case’ to be sent to the London-based Privy Council, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ (SVG) highest court, for final determination.

The legal challenge arose from the decision of the Ralph Gonsalves Unity Labour Party (ULP) government in November 2021 to deem public sector workers who did not take a COVID-19 vaccine – as the government had ordered – to have abandoned their jobs.

The Public Service Union, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union and the Police Welfare sponsored that lawsuit, in which the High Court judge Justice Esco Henry ruled in favour of the public servants in March 2023.

However, in a 2-1 decision in February 2025, the Court of Appeal overturned the lower court’s decision, resulting in the public sector workers applying for permission to have the Privy Council make a final determination.

The government’s legal team did not make any oral arguments as the Court of Appeal considered the application during a virtual sitting in Kingstown on Thursday.

‘We do not intend to add any further submissions in relation to our position. We have put some issues for the court to consider,’ Anthony Astaphan, a Dominican senior counsel who heads the government’s legal team, told the court.

‘We leave it entirely to the court to decide whether to grant leave or not, but we are not going to say anything further,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Cara Shillingford, a Dominican lawyer who is lead counsel for the public sector workers, submitted that the matter was one in which the workers should be granted permission to apply to the Privy Council, as of right.

She said the proposed grounds of appeal include many constitutional grounds, highlighting that the case concerns property rights and pension rights.

Shillingford said that based on Section 99 of the Constitution of the country, the public sector workers are entitled to appeal to the Privy Council as the matter involves a question of interpretation of the Constitution.

The lawyer highlighted that in addition to the issue of pension and property rights, a very important part of the decision of the High Court relates to the role of the Public Service Commission and the ability of the commission to act independently to make its own regulations, in keeping with Section 77 of the Constitution.

She noted that Justice Henry had found that the vaccine mandate breached section 77 of the Constitution.

‘And that is, of course, a matter of tremendous public interest, and it is a very vital constitutional law question or issue that needs to be resolved finally,’ Shillingford said.

Responding to a question from the three-judge panel, Shillingford said there could be no dispute that the value of the affected workers’ pension was more than EC $1,500.

‘. but I suppose I should leave that to my learned friends to answer,’ she said even as the lawyers for the government remained silent.

The court noted that this matter was not addressed in the government’s submission.

‘It was not addressed. So, it’s not something that is in dispute,’ Shillingford said, adding that she could point the court to affidavit evidence where the public sector workers gave certain figures as to their salaries. the evidence is there that the 270 applicants, their salaries were far in excess of the 1,500, and it is a given, I would think, that their pension rights, which are affected, would be in excess of 1,500. I do not believe that is something that can be disputed,’ Shillingford said.

The panel was made up of its president, Justice of Appeal Trevor Ward and acting Justices of Appeal, Peter Foster and Reginald Armour. Karen Duncan, Cerepha Harper-Joseph, Franeek Prince, and Grahame Bollers also appeared on behalf of the government.

The other members of the public servants’ legal team were Jomo Thomas and Shirlan ‘Zita’ Barnwell.