Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in warm-blooded animals, but can also infect man. Anthrax spores can be produced in a dry form (for biological warfare ) which may be stored and ground into particles. When inhaled by humans, these particles cause respiratory failure and death within a week.

Because anthrax is considered to be a potential agent for use in biological warfare, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced that it will begin systematic vaccination of all U.S. military personnel.

Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals. These include South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products (industrial anthrax) from other countries where anthrax is more common may become infected with B. anthracis. Anthrax in animals rarely occurs in the United States. Most reports of animal infection are received from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling animal products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. It is rare to find infected animals in the United States.

Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but symptoms usually occur within seven days.

Cutaneous: Most anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax usually results in death in 1-2 days after onset of the acute symptoms.

Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.

The incubation period is usually within seven days.

There are no reports of the disease spreading from human to human. Direct person-to-person spread of anthrax most likely does not occur.

A second attack with this disease is unlikely.

Doctors can prescribe effective antibiotics. Usually penicillin is preferred, but erythromycin, tetracycline, or chloramphenicol can also be used. To be effective, treatment should be initiated early.

The disease could be fatal in untreated cases.

Although anthrax can be found globally, it is more often a risk in countries with less standardized and effective public health programs. Areas currently listed as high risk are South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

Anthrax vaccine is available for people in high-risk occupations. To prevent anthrax, carefully handle dead animals suspected of having anthrax; provide good ventilation when processing hides, fur, hair or wool; and vaccinate animals.

In countries where anthrax is common and vaccination levels of animal herds is low, humans should avoid contact with livestock and animal products, and avoid eating meat that has not been properly slaughtered and cooked. For high risk occupations, such as those exposed to potentially contaminated animal hair, wool or hides, vaccination is recommended. An anthrax vaccine has been licensed for use in humans. The vaccine is reported to be 93% effective in protecting against cutaneous anthrax.

The anthrax vaccine is a cell-free filtrate vaccine, which means it uses dead bacteria as opposed to live bacteria. Anthrax vaccine is indicated for individuals who come in contact in the workplace with imported animal hides, furs, bonemeat, wool, animal hair (especially goat hair), and bristles; and for individuals engaged in diagnostic or investigational activities which may bring them into contact with anthrax spores.

BioPort Corporation is the sole manufacturer of the anthrax vaccine. BioPort, whose headquarters is located in Lansing, Michigan, is owned by multiple shareholders. The two main companies that make up BioPort are Intervac, headed by William Crowe and Faud El-Hibri, and Michigan Biologic Products Inc.

The vaccine is US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed and has been routinely given in the US since 1970.

The immunization consists of three subcutaneous injections given two weeks apart followed by three additional subcutaneous injections given at 6, 12, and 18 months. Annual booster injections of the vaccine are required to maintain immunity.

Like all vaccines, anthrax vaccine may cause soreness, redness, itching,
swelling, and lumps at the injection site. About 30% of men and 60% of
women report these local reactions, but they usually last only a short while.
Lumps can persist a few weeks, but eventually disappear. Injection-site
problems occur about twice as often among women. For both genders,
between 1% and 5% report reactions at the injection site of 1 to 5 inches in
diameter. Larger reactions at the injection site occur in about one in a
hundred vaccine recipients.

Beyond the injection site, from 5% up to 35% will notice muscle aches, joint
aches, headaches, rash, chills, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, malaise, or
related symptoms. Again, these symptoms usually go away after a few days.

Serious events, such as those requiring hospitalization, are rare. They happen
about once per 50,000 doses. Severe allergic reactions can occur after any
vaccination, less than once per 100,000 doses.

A moderate local reaction can occur if the vaccine is given to anyone with a past history of anthrax infection.

Acute symptoms have varied. Depending on the vaccine lot used.

The most common side effects reported are: mild discomfort (localized swelling and redness at the site of injection), joint aches, and in a few cases, nausea, loss of appetite, and headaches.

There have been no long term side effects from the vaccine.

Anthrax vaccine is indicated for individuals who come in contact in the workplace with imported animal hides, furs, bonemeat, wool, animal hair (especially goat hair), and bristles; and for individuals engaged in diagnostic or investigational activities which may bring them into contact with anthrax spores. The vaccine should only be administered to healthy men and women from 18 to 65 years of age since investigations to date have been conducted exclusively in that population. Because it is not known whether the anthrax vaccine can cause fetal harm, pregnant women should not be vaccinated.

People who should not get the anthrax vaccine are those with a true hypersensitivity reaction (serious allergic reaction) to a previous dose of the anthrax vaccine, people infected with HIV, people who have other kinds of immune suppression, pregnant women, and people under 18 and over 65 years of age. Other temporary reasons for deferring anthrax vaccination include an acute respiratory disease or active infection, and a temporary course of immune-suppressing drugs such as steroids (e.g., prednisone).

People with preexisting autoimmune illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis are probably more likely to suffer a serious adverse reaction, as are those with neurologic disease, such as those who had polio in childhood.

Small quantities are made available as needed to civilians who are exposed to anthrax hazards in their work environment such as veterinarians, lab workers and others. Anthrax vaccine is produced exclusively by the Michigan Biologic Products Institute under contract to the Defense Department. Virtually all vaccine produced is earmarked for military use in recognition of the documented threat to military personnel.

Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating B. anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of suspected cases.

Doctors can prescribe effective antibiotics. Usually, penicillin is preferred, but erythromycin, tetracycline, or chloramphenicol can also be used. To be effective, treatment should be initiated early. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

The Department of Defense recommends servicemen and women contact their chain of command with questions about the vaccine and its distribution.

Members of the Armed Services can find additional information at the DOD Anthrax Vaccination Program site or by e-mail at avip@otsg.amedd.army.mil

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The OWTU condemns what it views as an attempt by the Board and Management of National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited, to compromise the Audit and Investigation being carried out on NP by Price Waterhouse Coopers as instructed by the Minister of Finance and Corporation Sole, Mr. G. Yetming.

It has come to our attention that yesterday Monday, August 20, 2001 the Audit Firm of Ernst & Young on instructions by Management and Board of NPMC commenced an audit on manpower and some other issues in which it is believed that Ernst & Young might have an interest.

In his discussions with the Union prior to the appointment of PWC, there was no indication by Minister Yetming of any involvement by E & Y in the investigations at NP. As a matter of fact, Ernst & Young was very carefully left out of those discussions.

The OWTU is now inclined to interpret the Management and Board’s appointment of Ernst & Young on any audit exercise as contempt for the Union and the Minister too.

We therefore call for the immediate removal of Ernst & Young from the instant investigations into NP’s operations.

The Union’s leadership will address this and other issues at a lunch time meeting with the NP workers at Sea Lots tomorrow, Wednesday August 22, 2001.

Errol K. Mc Leod

President General

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BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR THE MINISTER OF FINANCE

2001 August 15

Senator Gerald Yetming

Minister of Finance

Ministry of Finance

Eric Williams Financial Complex

Independence Square

PORT OF SPAIN.

PROPOSALS FOR THE 2001/2002 BUDGET

SUBMITTED BY THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS

ASSOCIATION OF TECHNICAL, ALLIED & SUPERVISORY STAFF (CARONI); COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION; CONTRACTORS AND GENERAL WORKERS TRADE UNION; FIRE SERVICES ASSOCIATION; OILFIELDS WORKERS’ RADE UNION, PRISON OFFICERS ASSOCIATION; PUBLIC SERVICES ASSOCIATION; SUGAR INDUSTRY STAFF ASSOCIATION; STEEL WORKERS UNION OF T&T; TRINIDAD ISLANDWIDE CANEFARMERS ASSOCIATION; FISHERMEN AND FRIENDS OF THE SEA; T&T REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH MOVEMENT

Dear Minister,

We first wish to express our thanks to you for the open invitation to civil society organizations to contribute to the development of the 2001/2002 Budget by way of both formal, written submissions and meetings at which our proposals could be further explored. We wish to advise that our proposals were unanimously approved by a Special Conference of Shop Stewards and Branch Officers of our organizations held on Wednesday August 8^th, 2001.

It is with pleasure and commitment therefore that we submit the following:

1. Process of Budget Development

1.0 We firmly believe that one of the most important issues that arises in any Budget is that of the process by which the Budget is developed. Indeed, we have often advocated that the entire process be substantially revamped so as to ensure that civil society in particular and the citizenry generally can participate actively in the preparation of the Budget. There is no need for the Budget to be a "secret" document, the presentation of which has the entire country on tenterhooks.

1.1 Other countries have a process whereby Budget proposals are made and then so strenuously debated that at the end of the process the initial proposals are often unrecognizable. Yet other countries develop their Budget through prior open discussion and debate in communities and workplaces and with civil society organizations. We certainly hope that the process initiated this year will deepen even further in the years ahead so that we could have a fully participative process of economic decision-making.

2. Previous Submissions

2.1 As you may be aware, a number of the above listed organisations have traditionally submitted proposals to the Minister of Finance prior to his Budget presentation either individually or as part of a wider grouping. In 2000, for example a number of independent organisations raised some very fundamental issues and made specific proposals to your predecessor. Since most of these issues remain equally valid today, we thought that we should bring them to your attention by way of an attachment to this our 2001/2002 submission.

3. A Holistic Approach to Economic Planning

3.1 We are sure, Minister, that you would agree with the need to locate the Annual Budget exercise within the context of a Holistic Economic Plan. Over the past several years there has been no effort so to do. While there exists a Macro-Economic Framework, which is revised on a rolling basis, this can hardly be substituted for a holistic plan.

3.2 As this is your first Budget presentation, we urge that you break with the approach of previous Ministers, and initiate a process of national discussion towards the development of a Holistic Economic Plan. We are not here suggesting that a Plan is a magic wand that would end all our economic problems. However, it would enable all citizens, all economic sectors, all actors to see their role within a wider context, and hopefully to arrive at some consensus as to what the issues/problems are, what options exist for resolving them, the implications of each option, and what the agreed objectives and strategies should be.

4. Dangers of the Present Mini-Boom

4.1 There is no doubt that, based on the traditional macro-economic indicators, the country is undergoing a mini-boom. However, we need to understand precisely what factors have given rise to the boom, so that we can avoid the inherent dangers and at the same time maximize the benefits of the boom. It is clear that the present boom is fuelled by two essential factors.

4.2 Firstly, the substantial increase in oil prices that occurred in 1999 and which has been, in large measure sustained over the last two years. This increase has been of a large enough magnitude to result in the increase in contribution to GDP by oil, in spite of declining production of crude oil. The increase in value – either due to price increases or output increases, or both - has been the principal factor that led to previous booms (e.g. the late 1960’s with new land based oil production at Guayaguayare and the mid 1970’s with both increased production from offshore the east coast and, more significantly, the OPEC driven price increases).

4.3 The second, and most important factor, has been the very rapid expansion of natural gas utilization as a result of substantial direct foreign investment. Thus the investments in LNG, ammonia, methanol, steel have all resulted in increased output as well as the inflow of capital into the country.

4.4 However, there have been negatives as well. One of these is that there has been a substantial increase in factor income going abroad as retained profits by the transnational firms making the investments. This is causing the gap between GDP (the total value of goods and services produced here) and GNP (our actual national income) to grow. Another negative is that the country is experiencing new and large income streams without there being any serious discussion, far less public policy on (a) how to maximize the income streams and (b) how to best utilize this "windfall".

4.5 The result is that we have been losing opportunities to maximize the returns to the nation from the investment being made in gas by transnational capital, and at the same time utilising the surpluses in ways that will not result in sustainable development. Indeed, there is a tendency when one is flush with money to spend as if "money is no problem, and will never be a problem", only to realize some years after when the boom comes to an end, as it invariably must, that we have not used the surpluses to put in place any economic activity that would continue to generate growth, jobs and income.

5. The "Offshore" and "Inshore" Economies

5.1 The issue of the linking of the two economic sectors (offshore – i.e. the natural resource based export sector controlled in the most part by foreign capital and the inshore, the domestic economy) is therefore absolutely crucial. It cannot be left to chance, nor can we approach it in an ad hoc fashion. We all know what happened to our country in the oil boom of the 1970’s when the petrodollars ran through the country "like a dose of salts", resulting in 12 years of economic decline, structural adjustment and leaving so many people absolutely impoverished.

5.2 There is also the issue of "intergenerational equity", whereby those who today enjoy the "rents’ derived from the exploitation of a wasting, nonrenewable asset need to ensure that future generations also benefit from what is, after all, our collective patrimony. The fact that future generations may not be able to directly benefit since the resource may either be depleted or no longer of significant value, places a burden on the present generation to invest the rents in such a way that the future generations enjoy the benefits of our investments.

5.3 These issues, quite frankly Minister, cannot be properly addressed by a Budget unless that Budget is located within the context of a holistic plan. Conversely, a Budget that does not take these issues into consideration may do a lot of harm since specific fiscal measures, Cabinet determined priorities, party manifesto promises etc. together with monetary policy may well be in contradiction rather than in harmony with the need to utilize income streams from the offshore to build a sustainable inshore sector.

6. Industrial Policy

6.1 All the above issues point to the urgent need for a holistic plan. One of the processes that can lead to a proper plan of action for the country’s utilization of our present national gas driven growth, is that of "Industrial Policy".

6.2 An Industrial Policy sets out the specific industries/services that a country ought to develop based on a carefully assessed analysis of both one’s resource base/capability and the future demand, locally and internationally, for goods and services. It then establishes the requirements (human resources – including training, physical infrastructure, research, capital investment, government incentives, etc.) and strategies necessary to achieve the desired targets.

6.3 An Industrial Policy would ensure that all the sectors of the economy are focused while at the same time avoiding either duplication of effort or the working at cross-purposes, both of which waste time, effort and resources. Additionally, Industrial Policy enables all citizens to have a clear vision of what the country has to achieve and what is required for that achievement to be realised. It will also give us a far better chance of succeeding compared with the present laissez-faire approach, which for the most part leaves our "development" in the hands of the whims of foreign investors.

6.4 An Industrial Policy also assists in ensuring that our economic activity is organized in an environmentally sustainable manner and that the activity is located in geographic areas such that the benefits are distributed equitably throughout the society.

7. Savings and Investment

7.1 There is absolutely no doubt that for there to be sustained economic growth we must have a high level of investment, and for this investment to be sustainable we require the utilisation of domestic savings, rather than the present scenario where most of the investment that has occurred over the last decade has been direct foreign investment. The present pattern of investment leaves the economy very vulnerable to external factors and the whims of persons who have no allegiance to Trinidad and Tobago.

7.2 The maximization of domestic savings is therefore of crucial importance. Several issues arise from this analysis. Firstly, we must define savings in the broadest possible way. National savings can be obtained from different sources – individual citizens; collective savings mechanisms such as credit unions, mutual funds, NIS, pension funds; corporate surpluses; government surpluses.

7.3 To maximize the overall national savings appropriate instruments must be utilized in a holistic manner. It is therefore a contradiction in terms for government policy to result in an increasing proportion of income generated from the exploitation of our hydrocarbon resources is flowing out of the country, and thereby contributing to the savings of countries other than Trinidad and Tobago, when one is seeking to maximize our domestic savings. It is similarly wrong to tax the interest earned on savings, thus penalising savers.

7.4 The other side of savings is investment. Over the years there has been no policy position to direct investment. As a result most of the investment is taking place either in the energy sector or in the expansion of consumption (malls, cinema-complexes, K-mart, Price Smart etc). This latter type of investment, made during periods of boom, result in increased consumption of foreign exchange while at the same time producing nothing. The country does not need such investment. Indeed, in later periods when earnings of foreign exchange decline due to external factors, the large installed capacity of consumption continues to fuel levels of imports that cannot be sustained. That is precisely what occurred in the period of the oil-boom and the subsequent crash. What is required is the channeling of domestic savings into investment that increases our productive capacity and ensures sustained growth.

8. Review of Fiscal Policy

8.1 With respect to fiscal policy we wish propose the following specific measures:

(a) That the fiscal incentives granted to companies in the energy sector be reviewed. This review should include the possible renegotiation of tax holidays to companies such as LNG train one, and some of the most recent ammonia and methanol plants. Tax holidays substantially reduce national income and deprive the country of savings.

(b) That a windfall profits tax be introduced so that income from oil production above a certain price level would attract a higher tax rate. The revenue from this windfall tax to accrue to the special Oil Stabilisation Fund.

(c) That the tax on interest earned from savings be removed.

(d) That tax credits be re-introduced for person using savings instruments such as mutual funds, credit unions.

(e) That every effort be made to ensure compliance with VAT, NIS and health surcharge payments. We believe that a very substantial loss is being recorded in these areas. In addition, the revenue raised from health surcharge should be allocated to the health budget and accounted for in a very transparent manner.

(f) That trade unions and other not for profit NGOs and institutions be exempted from the payment of VAT.

(g) That the Oil Stabilisation Fund not be used to fund the "Dollar for Dollar" tertiary education plan since that fund was established to ensure future expenditure streams when revenue is declining due to low commodity prices. It is therefore a mechanism, which if used wisely could provide some measure of inter-generational equity. The Fund should therefore be invested appropriately (including in productive activity that guarantees later income streams and jobs) and not consumed by expenditure. Indeed, the problems associated with the "dollar for dollar" plan could well have been obviated had there been a process of consultation that ensured the inputs of all concerned.

8.2 A second area of government’s fiscal policy that is of major concern is that of social security. In the last two or three Budget presentations, your predecessor indicated government’s intention to implement the "Chile model" of social security in Trinidad and Tobago. We have opposed such a model as it essentially seeks to privatize social security arrangements, introduce individual pension plans as opposed to collective plans, amongst other policies. There should be no reform of social security before full national debate on the issue. Such policy review should include a review of the changes in NIS contributions and benefits made in 1999. We shall, of course supply you with our detailed positions, some of which have already been submitted to the Minister, on this issue.

8.3 The issue of the arrears of increments to Public Officers, Prison Officers and other groups of public employees must also be dealt with in a fair and equitable manner. The Public Services Association and the Prison Officers’ Association have both submitted detailed proposals on how this debt could be settled. We support, in principle, their proposal to settle the debt by a variety of instruments.

8.4 We are extremely concerned about the use to which revenue raised for the "Green Fund" is being utilized. It is our understanding that the Green Fund should be utilized for the regeneration of our environment in areas that have been damaged by poor and dangerous practices or development. In addition to investing in the regeneration of the environment, thus leading towards sustainable development, the Fund should provide resources to improve the existing environment. The Fund, however, seems to be another sources of funding community projects, some valuable others of a questionable worth. These projects have been organized by community groups and NGOs, of which some may be closer to party groups than bona fide civil society organizations that have an environmental objective. We therefore recommend a review of the objectives of the Fund, and recommend for your consideration the proposals submitted by the Fishermen and Friends of the Sea in 1997 issue.

9. Other Specific Policy Concerns

9.1 There should be a moratorium on all divestment/privatization of state assets (including lands owned by the state or state owned companies like Caroni and Petrotrin) and that this moratorium should remain in place until reforms are implemented that guarantee a participative approach to and transparency in the process of decision making. One such reform would be to amend the Corporation Sole Act to give Parliament and not the Minister control of state enterprises. In particular we oppose the sell-out in part or in whole of Caroni (1975) Ltd, Petrotrin, Trinmar, ADB, Lake Asphalt or the closure or dismemberment of any of these enterprises. We specifically reject: (a) the Report and recommended option by the Draft Working Group for Caroni; (b) the majority recommended position of the Technical Committee on ADB, and (c) the position of the Minister of Energy and Petrotrin’s Board that there should be a further lease out of 900 wells and that Trinmar should be a Strategic Business Unit of Petrotrin.

9.2 There should be a review of, and where necessary a re-negotiation of the arrangements under which Inncogen and Powergen supply electricity to T&TEC, since these arrangements, and especially that of Inncogen, have placed T&TEC in serious jeopardy.

9.3 There should be a total review of the health policy of the government particularly with respect to the disaster that has been the Regional Health Authorities. These RHA’s have been nothing else but vehicles for a privileged elite of managers to receive huge, unearned incomes from the public purse at the expense of those who suffered the absence of proper health care due to a "lack of funds", all this of course being also to the loss of taxpayers. The RHA’s must be scrapped and a new system of delivering health care, and in particular primary health care to communities should be developed on the basis of broad based discussion. We further call for a halt to the proposed National Health Insurance System (NHIS), which will create many, more problems for health care delivery in the country. We believe that further democratic participation is required on this issue before there is any policy implementation. We will, of course, be providing your government with our policy positions on this issue as well.

9.4 While we commend your government for expanding opportunities with respect to access to educational institutions, i.e. quantity, we are concerned that not sufficient attention is being paid to the quality of education. We are sure that you would recognize that schooling is not the same as learning and that certification does not equal education. We therefore call for a total review of our education system

9.5 We are deeply concerned about the very negative fall-out in the manufacturing, service and agricultural sectors that will result from further trade liberalization consequent to the present process of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and World Trade Organisation (WTO). There are also significant implications for this country when the Caribbean Single Market and Economy becomes fully operational. Given the significant impact of these processes, we believe that there neither Trinidad and Tobago nor Caricom should commit to anything at the FTAA and WTO meetings unless the implications are fully discussed and consensus arrived at be the national community. Good governance and transparency demand nothing less.

9.6 There is absolutely no doubt that the process of structural adjustment over the last 15 or more years has left the most vulnerable – the aged, the young and our women – severely disadvantaged. In addition, the HIV/AIDS pandemic is very real and has the potential to wipe out a very large number of our young, productive citizens. Your Budget, Minister must address these social issues in a comprehensive and holistic manner. We are not satisfied that present policy initiatives are making any significant improvement to the lives of the majority of those affected.

9.7 The last issue that we wish to address is that of corruption. We are sure that you recognize that we are all committed to ensuring that our society is built on the principles of integrity in public life, morality, justice and equity. Corruption is counter to all of these and destroys the society. When it occurs at the top it is especially cancerous since there would be nobody in a position of responsibility and trust to exercise authority over others. We believe, Minister that you are deeply concerned about the very many allegations of corruption that now engulf the government of which you are a part. We are also aware that you wish to do something positive, not only to bring any wrongdoers to justice but also to establish new mechanisms and systems that would make it more difficult for there to corruption in public affairs. We too have many proposals to deal with this issue and stand prepared to work with you to create systems of decision-making that are participative, transparent and lend themselves to accountability.

We anticipate meeting with you to elaborate on all of our proposals and propose that this meeting could be on Wednesday August 22^nd 2001.

For and on behalf of the above listed organisations,

Errol K. McLeod

President General

Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union

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