Des Vignes Warns High Court Ruling Threatens URP & CEPEP Jobs
At a political meeting in Charlotteville, Kwesi Des Vignes issued a stark warning to Tobago House of Assembly (THA) workers, citing a High Court judgment that he claims places the future of Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) and CEPEP employment in jeopardy under the current administration.
Des Vignes read from a document he attributed to the website of attorney Martin George, referencing a specific ruling from the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago. He emphasized that the judgment establishes a legal precedent: the THA is bound by national policy directives set by the Central Government and Cabinet. According to Des Vignes, the court ruled that the THA cannot override or ignore these national policy directives, regardless of its own legislative agenda.
He argued that this legal reality had devastating consequences following the budget presentation in October. Des Vignes alleged that the current administration—which he characterized as a « wicked UNC government »—was responsible for sending home over 10,000 workers from the CEPEP, URP, and reforestation programs. He claimed this mass retrenchment occurred because the administration failed to secure the necessary policy approval to fund the wages, stating that « no money was allocated » because it would have contravened the court order regarding national policy.
Des Vignes contrasted this with the governance style of the People’s National Movement (PNM). He recalled that under former Chief Secretary Orville London in 2015, the administration found ways to maintain employment and ensure « food remained on the tables » of Tobagonians despite economic challenges.
Looking ahead to the upcoming THA election on January 12, 2026, Des Vignes promised that a new administration led by Ancil K. Dennis would find a similar legal pathway to secure the livelihoods of URP and CEPEP workers. He asserted that the PNM would « find a way » to protect these jobs, rejecting the notion that workers must be sent home due to policy disputes.
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