Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is calling for the general improvement of the lives o TT Defence Force personnel.
In a statement, she called on the Minister of National Security and Minister of Finance to make financial appropriations in the upcoming budget to improve TTDF salaries, benefits and working conditions in the new financial year.
“Yesterday officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force launched the Joint Task Force One operations. This initiative, taking place in five policing divisions, aims to increase the presence of law enforcement, regain public trust and restore a sense of safety,” said Persad-Bissessar.
She added, “It is my utmost hope that this initiative will be a success as citizens are weary of the current crime crisis. The presence of TTDF personnel will greatly assist the TTPS in carrying out their surveillance and tactical operations.
The UNC leader said our TTDF personnel are usually out on patrol with the police, undertaking special operations outside of the public eye, engaged in arduous training or assisting locally and regionally in security and humanitarian missions.
She said the non-commissioned ranks of the TTDF, are faced with long periods away from their families, difficulty to access long term loans and mortgages because of the current retirement age, inadequate personal gear, poor salaries compared to the cost of living, no overtime and no proper medical coverage plans.
“For the general improvement of the lives of our hardworking TTDF personnel, I call on the Minister of National Security and Minister of Finance to make financial appropriations for the following suggestions in the upcoming national budget.
· Access to service loans for long standing TTDF members.
· Improved salaries for TTDF personnel.
· Payment of overtime as most times they surpass the required weekly hours of work.
· Access to an allocation of HDC homes through the Rent to Own home option.
· Family counselling.
· Better quality uniforms and personal gear including faster replacement of old and worn-out military gear.
· Fit for purpose transport equipment. It is common to see the non-commissioned ranks being transported in unsafe and unprotected truck beds which are partially covered by tattered tarpaulins.
· Full GATE access for all children of TTDF members.
· A scholarship program for TTDF members wishing to pursue educational opportunities.
· Better meal rations, many times the rations are of poor nutritional and calorific value.
· Proper medical coverage plans which also covers immediate family members.
· Increased recognition for meritorious service and faster promotions.
· Many Defence Force personnel have to leave the service in their 40’s and therefore it is difficult for them to get long term mortgages to buy property. Increase the compulsory retirement age for the TTDF.
· Ensure payment of resettlement monies to personnel upon departure from the TTDF. Many Defence Force personnel on leaving the service do not get their resettlement monies to participate in programs for the proper reintegration into society.
Persad-Bissessar added that in times of unrest, insecurity and grave danger, the brave men and women of the TTDF have always stood in the gap to defend the lives of our citizens and the freedoms we all enjoy.
She said they deserve to have a decent quality of life both professionally and personally.