OWTU: Workers still to get severance statements, pay slips

Former Petrotrin workers are unsure about the quantum of their severance payments and the formula used to calculate the payments.

That’s the word from the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU), which has also said many workers have not received their final payslips, and vacation and other benefits seem to be missing from the severance payments.

At last Wednesday’s Senate sitting, Energy Minister Franklin Khan said all former Petrotrin employees had received severance payments.

He said then, “As I speak, all workers on the Petrotrin payroll have been paid, including the 1,129 non-permanent workers who qualify for ex-gratia payments.”

However, in a media release, the union said without their severance statements, the former oil workers are unable to verify what they had been paid for and what was still outstanding.

“None of the workers have received a statement on severance. Many have not gotten payslips, and in Trinmar the company refuses to let them on the compound to collect their payslips.

"Vacation compensation and other benefits are missing.

"With no record of back pay, the workers cannot verify what they have been paid (or not paid as the case may be). As for the hotline set up for workers to call for support, workers get no answers when they call.”

The union said for the displaced workers, "The process continues to be painful, chaotic, frustrating and distressing. The unjustified and unjust decision to close Petrotrin is only creating anguish for thousands of workers and families.”