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BY
RADHICA SOOKRAJ
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.
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