Contract
workers picket Petrotrin
Port Spain
Petroleumworldtt.com
01 27 08
Construction of Petrotrin’s new Corporate
Headquarters at Pointe-a-Pierre, was halted
yesterday after contract workers downed tools
to protest for better wages and working conditions.
For the second day, workers picketed
outside Petrotrin’s
Gasparillo exit, after being locked out of the
company’s main gates.
Chanting union battle songs, the workers accused
contractors of exploitation.
Spokesman Clinton Williams said
when the project started last November, workers
believed they would
be paid in accordance with Petrotrin’s rates.
“We were told by the OWTU that we would
work for wages between $45 to $60 if we are skilled
workers, but instead we receiving $25 per hour,” Williams
complained.
He said since November, contractors
have been issuing “bounce” cheques. “People
cannot get their monies and we have families to
feed,” Williams said.
Police officers from the Gasparillo police station
led by Actg Insp Jagdeo, kept watch over the demonstrators.
Petrotrin security officers directed traffic flow
and told workers they were not allowed inside the
compound.
OWTU intervenes
Around 10 am, officers of the Oilfield Workers
Trade Union met with main contractor Kee-Chanona
Limited, and sub contractors Hakizinia Contractors
and Trans West Indies Limited.
OWTU Branch official Shaffick Hyatali
charged that the contractors have not been following
Health,
Safety and Environmental (HSE) regulations. He
said, “The subcontractors are short-paying
workers and are not providing them with all HSE
requirements.” He said further talks were
scheduled.
An official of Kee-Chanona said
that they were engaged in meetings and could
not comment. Hakizinia
and TransWest Indies Limited, were not listed in
the directory and workers could not provide contact
numbers. Petrotrin’s Communications Manager
Arnold Corneal was also in a meeting and could
not be contacted.
Story By Radhica sookraj from The Trinidad Guardian
The
Trinidad Guardian
Wednesday 23rd January, 2008
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