The Safe To Work (STOW) certification requirement for access to the energy sector has been cancelled by the government. The decision was announced by Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, who explained that the system imposed unfair costs and barriers to local businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. The cancellation fulfils a commitment made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in 2024. She had argued that the STOW system was not grounded in law and evolved from agreements involving the Energy Chamber, multinational energy companies and state enterprises. The Energy Minister described the STOW as not forming part of the laws of Trinidad and Tobago. The decision to terminate the STOW requirement followed consultations with energy companies and will revert back to the ISO codes and other relevant codes that existed before it was introduced. The minister stated that STOW had become a barrier to entry for small contractors and new market entrants, while enriching a limited group of entities.
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