This statement was first published as a flyer on 27th August 2008 as part of the campaign waged by the Food and Fuel Forum to block the signing of the economic partnership agreement between the European Community and the "so-called" Cariforum countries. Food and Fuel members Norris Deonarine and Kasala Kamara played leading roles in that campaign.
In December 2007, the Government of T&T, along with other Caricom governments, initialled what is called an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, which sold out the sovereignty of our country to transnational corporations.
Even though the EPA has not been debated in Parliament, far less ratified, and even though it is not yet officially signed, (the signing has been postponed several times, because of disunity among Caricom governments) the Government is moving helter skelter to implement its conditions which favour the interests of international corporations over the interests of the people of T&T.
In December 2007, the Government of T&T, along with other Caricom governments, initialled what is called an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, which sold out the sovereignty of our country to transnational corporations.
Even though the EPA has not been debated in Parliament, far less ratified, and even though it is not yet officially signed, (the signing has been postponed several times, because of disunity among Caricom governments) the Government is moving helter skelter to implement its conditions which favour the interests of international corporations over the interests of the people of T&T.
IF WE SIGN THE
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
The Fuel Subsidy on gasoline and diesel will be removed.
Premium gasoline may go to as much as $7.00 -$9.00 per litre or more. It all depends on the level of international oil prices. Diesel price may go to as much as $7.80 -$10.00 per litre or more. It all depends on the level of international oil prices
Taxi, Maxi and bus fares will increase. Maxi taxis which use diesel will have the same fuel costs as taxis and maxi passengers will have to dig deeper into their almost empty pockets to travel.
There will be an across the board increase in price levels, because transport costs are critical to the final cost of almost every product we consume. The price of food will keep on increasing.
Inflation may reach as high as 20%
IF WE SIGN THE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
THOUSANDS OF WORKERS WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS!
CARICOM countries will have to remove tariffs on imports from Europe
The majority of Caricom countries raise the bulk of governmental revenue from import duties. These countries will go into economic recession.
Caricom is the second largest market for exports from T&T and will be unable to maintain their level of imports from T&T
The manufacturing sector in T&T, which exports $3.5 billion worth of goods to Caricom, will cut back and many thousands of workers will be retrenched.
IF WE SIGN THE
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
European companies will be able to enter any sector in T&T of the local economy and must be treated as if they were a national company
Adoption of policies favouring domestic businesses, investors and farmers will be prohibited. Any concessions government extends to local companies or farmers will have to be extended to European corporations.
Large European companies cannot be prevented from bidding for government contracts e.g. maintenance and security services and school feeding programmes for schools, This could result in many T&T firms going out of business and many workers losing their jobs.
Farmers may be prevented from accessing subsidies and other governmental support if European companies enter into particular markets. Farmers will be unable to compete with agricultural products from European firms which themselves are subsidised by their home governments.
if they sign the EPA. The government will be inviting:
General strike, Mass rebellion and Insurrection!
The masses will have to move to protect themselves in such a situation. Working people and the poor cannot rely on international corporations, the employers, the food importers and distributors or the Government to protect their interests. They can only rely on themselves.
In this period of crisis:
the fuel subsidy must stay
basic foods must be subsidised
a proper agricultural support programme based on supporting small farmers must be implemented
the EPA must be rejected!
If the Manning regime does otherwise, they would have declared war on the masses!
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
The Fuel Subsidy on gasoline and diesel will be removed.
Premium gasoline may go to as much as $7.00 -$9.00 per litre or more. It all depends on the level of international oil prices. Diesel price may go to as much as $7.80 -$10.00 per litre or more. It all depends on the level of international oil prices
Taxi, Maxi and bus fares will increase. Maxi taxis which use diesel will have the same fuel costs as taxis and maxi passengers will have to dig deeper into their almost empty pockets to travel.
There will be an across the board increase in price levels, because transport costs are critical to the final cost of almost every product we consume. The price of food will keep on increasing.
Inflation may reach as high as 20%
IF WE SIGN THE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
THOUSANDS OF WORKERS WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS!
CARICOM countries will have to remove tariffs on imports from Europe
The majority of Caricom countries raise the bulk of governmental revenue from import duties. These countries will go into economic recession.
Caricom is the second largest market for exports from T&T and will be unable to maintain their level of imports from T&T
The manufacturing sector in T&T, which exports $3.5 billion worth of goods to Caricom, will cut back and many thousands of workers will be retrenched.
IF WE SIGN THE
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
European companies will be able to enter any sector in T&T of the local economy and must be treated as if they were a national company
Adoption of policies favouring domestic businesses, investors and farmers will be prohibited. Any concessions government extends to local companies or farmers will have to be extended to European corporations.
Large European companies cannot be prevented from bidding for government contracts e.g. maintenance and security services and school feeding programmes for schools, This could result in many T&T firms going out of business and many workers losing their jobs.
Farmers may be prevented from accessing subsidies and other governmental support if European companies enter into particular markets. Farmers will be unable to compete with agricultural products from European firms which themselves are subsidised by their home governments.
if they sign the EPA. The government will be inviting:
General strike, Mass rebellion and Insurrection!
The masses will have to move to protect themselves in such a situation. Working people and the poor cannot rely on international corporations, the employers, the food importers and distributors or the Government to protect their interests. They can only rely on themselves.
In this period of crisis:
the fuel subsidy must stay
basic foods must be subsidised
a proper agricultural support programme based on supporting small farmers must be implemented
the EPA must be rejected!
If the Manning regime does otherwise, they would have declared war on the masses!
all is fair in war!
