By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE draft Scrap Metal Act 2022 that is to be laid before the Parliament will do more harm than good for those involved in the industry.
The Trinidad and Tobago Scrap Iron Dealers Association (TTSIDA) in a media release on Monday stated that while it was pleased that the Bill was going before the Parliament on Wednesday, it needed to be revised.
TTSIDA stated, “The Draft Bill will create some hardship with some of the 25,000 plus poor and undereducated who will never be considered employable in a formal sector.
“We expect that both houses of Parliament will look at the best law possible to facilitate a smooth process as simple as having applying and getting a certificate of good character.”
The Bill will also see the closure of many scrap iron yards, particularly the smaller ones where persons operate from their dwelling houses, TTSIDA stated.
The association also questioned if permission from the Commissioner of Police was absolutely necessary to load a container of scrap iron.
TTSIDA stated that it was provided with only a Cabinet note consisting of five pages addressing some terms stipulated in the new Act and after carefully examining the Bill over the weekend, found that some of these terms will not be in the best interest of those in the industry.
“In its current form, we believe this Bill will contribute to the further demise of our industry as it will prevent people who work in the landfills to become unemployed,” TTSIDA stated.
The association added, “As a result, we are urging the government to let good sense prevail for the people of this industry and by extension the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.”
