Spanish-speaking community returning to work

The Latin American refugee community in TT has gradually begun to return to their jobs, along with the rest of the country.

With the start of the first phase of lifting restrictions, announced by the government, hundreds of Venezuelans, Cubans, Colombians and Dominicans here returned to work, the vast majority in restaurants.

On Monday morning they were among wiorkers coming out on the streets, wearing masks, some others also with gloves.

Luis Martinez told Newsday, “My brother and I are going back to work – only six hours a day, but that is a blessing. We spent more than a month paralysed without income and for us as immigrants it complicated our situation a lot, but thank God we are active again.”

He and his younger brother work at a restaurant in San Fernando.

"Many friends are still at home waiting for the phases (of easing the restrictions) to be completed because most of them work in construction," added Martínez.

Some others who work in hardware stores have also benefited from the move to expand economic activity.

Manuel Gonzalez said, “Although (private-sector) construction has not yet begun work, there are many customers who began to order materials to advance their works and have everything ready to resume construction.

"I work in a hardware store in Arima and we are working as guards due to the lackof activity, but at least we will be making some money during the week."

He believes the government should implement the phases of relaxing the restrictions a little faster.

"I see that local people are acring responsibly, and if there are no more cases of covid19 in TT, it would be important for everyone to return to normal as soon as possible," saidGonzalez.

According to the registry for work permits for recent Venezuelan migrants to TT, there are more than 16,000 immigrants authorised to work. The vast majority are reportedly employed in four sectors: restaurants, construction, agriculture and bars.