HEALTH Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has said Trinidad and Tobago's economic stability and prosperity are closely linked to political stability.
As he contributed to the budget debate in Parliament on October 9, Deyalsingh accused the UNC of engaging in populist politics and warned that if the public “put God out of their thoughts and elect the UNC to office,” they could expect negative consequences.
He said the UNC has a history marked by instability, which affects economic prosperity.
"Every single amalgamation of the UNC has collapsed. To this day, we disparagingly refer to the UNC as 'the B team.'"
Deyalsingh criticised opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, saying she cannot manage 19 people.
"Five members have broken ranks; how can she manage more people? Please try to help me understand."
Responding to Persad-Bissessar's October 4 budget response, he reiterated his claims about populism.
"It is a form of politics where you try to appeal to the masses by misleading them into thinking that if they elect you, their future will be bright."
He questioned what, other than a $25 minimum-wage recommendation, Persad-Bissessar had proposed. Using a grocery store as an example, he calculated that a $25 hourly wage would represent a 22 per cent increase in its monthly wage bill, resulting in nearly half a million dollars in additional annual wages.
"Assuming staff retention remains the same – that is crucial – there are over 3,000-4,000 grocery stores in TT and more than 20,000 small and medium businesses employing over 200,000 people. "What she is saying is, on paper, you will work for $25 an hour. "However, the same business you were working at for $20.50 might no longer be able to keep you employed."
Deyalsingh added that businesses might claim they will absorb the cost, but that would mean prices for food, pharmaceuticals, and hardware supplies will rise.
"Vote for me and you will get $25 an hour."
He asserted that a UNC government will never happen, he recalled the party's election promise of 2010, when, he said, over 100,000 pensioners were promised an increase.
"'Vote for me and I will give you a $3,000 pension.' Well, it didn't happen, because they reneged on that promise. They rode on the backs of 100,000 elderly citizens, just as they will attempt to ride on the backs of 200,000 persons working for minimum wage. It is not going to happen."
He said Persad-Bissessar's proposal would require a $200 billion budget, but she had not mentioned where the money would come from.
“I am going to tell the population where the money has gone in health.”
Deyalsingh said the health ministry received $7.5 billion. Of that, $6.4 billion was allocated to the regional health authorities (RHAs), which amounts to 67.1 per cent, totalling $4.2 billion.
Of the $4.2 billion, salaries and wages account for 86 per cent, totalling $3.7 billion for 21,777 workers across the health system.
He said the $3.7 billion that goes to the RHAs does not include the Ministry of Health and its vertical services
