Lambert promises Tobago homes

PRESIDENT GENERAL of the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW) James Lambert yesterday promised that he would not shirk his social responsibility to public-sector workers if he was re-elected, as he intends to provide over 40 homes for workers in Tobago and build a daycare centre for the children of workers if he retains his position.

Speaking with Newsday at the union’s Henry Street, Port of Spain headquarters, Lambert said he was confident he would keep the seat, and in addition to fighting for workers’ rights, he would dedicate more resources to ensuring the needs of public-sector workers were met.

Lambert, who has been president since 2008, said Tobago’s daily-paid workers would also benefit from his leadership.

“We just got the deed to the land from the Tobago House of Assembly in March, and I intend to build houses for the daily-rated workers. We intend to build just over 40 houses in Roxborough.

“It’s not just about money and negotiations: one of the things we will embark on is to continue our social responsibilities to our workers. In light of that, we intend to have a pharmacy and a daycare in Port of Spain.”

On pension plans for daily-paid workers, Lambert said he intended to meet again with the Prime Minister and ministers of Labour and Public Administration for an update on when pensions will be provided for these workers.

He said while some daily-paid workers at the Housing Development Corporation were able to access pensions, workers in both local and central government still did not have money allocated.