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Purpose: To present a descriptive framework that will provide the foundation for future exploratory research on the socioeconomic impact of Chronic Non‐Communicable Diseases (CNCDs) in Trinidad and Tobago. The paper also attempts to initiate discussions regarding the placement of greater emphasis on preventative health care. Methodology: Time series data was used to paint a picture of the changing epidemiological profile within the country. Secondary data was also utilised to illustrate changes in policy within the country. Data was obtained from various key stakeholders inclusive of Government Ministries and the Central Statistical Office of Trinidad and Tobago. Findings: CNCDs are the leading cause of death in Trinidad and Tobago and attempts have been made to address these issues. Recurrent expenditure continues to constitute the majority of health sector spending with programmes like the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) directly targeting the rise of CNCDs. However, at the time of writing, there appeared to be very few linkages between the various relevant stakeholders to facilitate the combination of their expertise which would undoubtedly aid in reducing the impact of CNCDs on the economic earning potential and social fabric of Trinidad and Tobago.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically some of the factors which influence the ability and/or desire of women to join the labour force in Trinidad and Tobago.

The methodology used is based on a probit model employing variables such as education, age and earnings to estimate the probability of participation. Additionally, the influence of country‐specific qualitative factors, such as ethnicity and religion, were also considered.

The results of the model revealed that the level of schooling, age, household headship, and being single have positive influences on female participation in Trinidad and Tobago. Conversely, the presence of children in the household, accessing social security programmes, and chronic illness had negative effects on participation.

National surveys such as the Survey of Living Conditions (SLC) and the Household Budget Survey (HBS) have revealed a higher incidence of poverty among women compared to men in Trinidad and Tobago. One possible reason for this is the corresponding lower labour force participation rate of women when compared to men.

This research is particularly unique since it included both economic and non‐economic variables (religion and ethnicity) specific to the Trinidad and Tobago economy to investigate female participation in the labour market. Furthermore, the results of this research can serve as a useful tool for more gender‐sensitive policy formulation in Trinidad and Tobago, and possibly the wider Caribbean region.

In 2008, the author wrote on the Concept of “Money Laundering Control: The Missing Link in Trinidad and Tobago. Now, approximately two years after that seminal assessment, the author has re-assessed the domestic anti-money laundering (AML) framework, with particular reference to the controls in place to address money laundering (ML) and the confiscation of the proceeds of crime. This paper aims to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the newly implemented regime and considers whether it meets international standards.

This analysis embraces a pluralist approach. Within this assessment, a case study method is used with contextual qualitative analysis. Empirical data is analyzed and causal connections are linked to the analysis.

This research highlights catalytic change and creativity in addressing deficiencies within the AML architecture in Trinidad and Tobago. Upon analysis, it is pellucid that a radically altered criminal justice landscape has emerged and a more aggressive and targeted approach to address ML and the confiscation of the proceeds of crime is apparent. The result is a shift in paradigm with tangible outcomes to suggest that the strategies have borne fruit and that the twin island Republic is indeed committed to strengthening the link.

Findings are limited to Trinidad and Tobago and to the period ended April 2020.

As a country with a medium to high ML risk, the possible negative socio-economic effects of ML cannot be underscored. Disruption of ML and the confiscation of the proceeds of crime are, therefore, imperative. This paper considers the progress made in addressing these pertinent issues and assists in assessing the effects of the reformation efforts undertaken by Trinidad and Tobago.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss credit card fraud in Trinidad and Tobago.

The paper describes credit card typologies in Trinidad and Tobago and the existing law governing such fraud. It outlines the success and inadequacies of the enforcement machinery and issues involving credit card fraud detection and prevention.

The law regarding credit cards is in a very confused and unsatisfactory state in Trinidad and Tobago. Education in counteracting the criminal activities of credit card fraudsters is vital. Informing the public of the various fraudulent typologies relative to credit cards and at the same time, advising members how to protect themselves are the most effective methods to address the fraud problem. The Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago should also play a critical role in addressing credit card fraud. The association should formulate credit card policies along similar principles as those formulated for cheque fraud to benefit all banks and merchants.

Credit card fraud has only been a recent phenomenon in Trinidad and Tobago. This paper is valuable in offering suggestions as to the way forward in the prevention of such fraud.

The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it describes the nature of internal controls (IC) in Christian and Hindu religious organizations (ROs) in Trinidad and Tobago. Second, the paper provides an assessment of the relative comprehensiveness of IC among the ROs examined and offers tentative explanations for the findings. Most of the information used in the paper was collected by conducting structured interviews with the chief financial officer(s) of each RO. This information was supplemented by published studies. The findings indicate that the ROs as a group have inadequate and patchy IC systems. Conversely, all the ROs examined had implemented many of the basic foundational elements of an effective IC system. This suggests that they could significantly improve the quality of their IC systems by instituting some fairly minor and cheap practices. The implications of these findings for administrators and researchers of ROs are discussed.

Examines the extent to which the introduction of a “new” model of management in the public sector has led to a realignment in the roles, responsibilities, and relationships between the policy‐makers, the bureaucracy and civil society in Trinidad and Tobago. Suggests that the introduction of new public management in the public services of Trinidad and Tobago has led to changes in the structure, culture and functioning of the public sector. Argues that while there were tensions between the politician and the administrator during the post‐independence period these were, to a large extent, kept in check by the rules and regulations that were part and parcel of the traditional method of administration. The introduction of principles of new public management in 1991 and the stress on greater autonomy and a more “fluid” bureaucratic arrangement, however, have fundamentally altered the power relationships between the politician and the administrator so that the division between the political sphere and the administrative sphere has become increasingly blurred. With respect to the civil society, concludes that with the exception of certain non‐governmental organizations, the wider civil society continues to have a minimal input in either policy formulation or execution.

The racial diversity of the Caribbean stemmed directly from the historical processes of colonialism, imperialism, slavery, and indentureship. Since the early 17th century, slaves have been imported from Africa to work in the Caribbean. In the British West Indies, slavery was abolished in 1834 but these African slaves worked on the sugar estates until the apprenticeship was abolished on August 1, 1838. Even before 1838, planters frequently complained of labor shortages and appealed to Britain for the approval of imported labor. Thus, there were attempts by the planters in colonies, such as Trinidad, to introduce Chinese labor to the plantations. As early as 1806, there was the importation of 192 Chinese from Macao and Penang into Trinidad. However, this experiment soon failed. In 1834 and 1839, laborers from Portugal were imported into Trinidad. This soon ended as Portuguese workers could not withstand the rigorous conditions of the contract labor system.

In analyzing the state's political economic management of ethnic diversity in Trinidad, with specific reference to the case of the indigenous Santa Rosa Carib Community, the author sets forth an outline of the “political economy of tradition”: (1) the politics and economics of the state associating economic values with particular cultural representations and (2) legislated recognition and financial rewards for groups engaged in public cultural display. How the Caribs themselves manage this process, and the contradictions introduced by forms of state sponsorship that led the Caribs to become incorporated as a limited liability company, are also issues central to this study.

Extreme natural hazard events in the Caribbean continue to result in major adverse consequences. Studies of disaster experiences have identified operational deficiencies that limited the effectiveness of disaster management policies in live emergencies. This paper reports on a study of the implementation characteristics of specific public disaster risk reduction and response measures in two Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, which may impact the success of these measures. The purpose of this paper is to examine these characteristics and their potential impacts.

The authors collected data on specific aspects of disaster risk management (DRM) policy implementation from policy documents and interviews with public DRM agencies. A sample of business entities also provided data on their interactions with public risk management measures. The data focussed on operational aspects of implementation to identify likely impacts on hazard event outcomes.

The study identifies implementation deficiencies that may hamper achievement of risk reduction objectives and limit the effectiveness of emergency response.

The findings may be instructive for other Caribbean SIDS which share similar economic and social characteristics, natural hazard exposures and potential catastrophic outcomes.

The findings suggest tactical areas of focus to enhance the operationalisation of policy.

Improved operational effectiveness will support the efforts of Caribbean SIDS to reduce the scale of adverse outcomes on people and property.

The findings of this study broaden the scope of Caribbean disaster studies to provide an insight into operational weaknesses that may be recognised and addressed prior to hazard events.

Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana are plural societies in the Commonwealth Caribbean in which two major ethnic groups, the Africans and the East Indians, vie for state control and power. Since the early pre‐independence period in both these countries, electoral outcomes have reflected ethnic cleavages. However, this kind of ethnic divisiveness has not been confined to the political environment alone, but to a large extent has permeated the public sectors of these countries as well. This article will accordingly examine the extent to which allegations of ethnic imbalances are a reality in the public sectors of these two Caribbean countries, and the mechanisms that have been introduced to resolve ethnic imbalances in these countries. Finally it seeks to assess the relative successes or failures of these mechanisms.