Ex-Caroni workers pray, protest for land

The leaders of the Reunited Farmers Alliance (RFA) and People's Empowerment Party (PEP), together with ex-Caroni (1975) Ltd workers, farmers and other supporters, gathered outside the Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Ministry to protest and renew calls for the Government to distribute lands owed.

The protest, on Thursday, in Endeavour, Chaguanas, came two days after 180 former Petrotrin workers were awarded plots of land through a random draw at the Government Campus Plaza Auditorium in Port of Spain.

There were a total of about 30 protesters, some with placards endorsing candidates such as Anderson Ramdath for Freeport/Chickland.

The workers were promised residential and agricultural land as part of a voluntary separation of employment package. RFA leader Davica Thomas estimated that 10,000 people are affected.

Thomas said she was happy the ex-Petrotrin workers are getting their land, "but ex-Caroni workers have been waiting 20 years."

The Pointe-a-Pierre refinery closed in 2018, and Caroni (1975) Ltd closed in 2003.

Thomas said the RFA’s legal team has been communicating with the ministry's legal team on the outstanding VSEP.

She said a few weeks ago, RFA was told the ministry was completing two sites for distribution.

"They promised that the sites are going to be ready for delivery in the next month or two in Exchange and Picton.

"Lo and behold, we saw on TV, they are distributing land to ex-Petrotrin workers.

"Why are the Caroni workers being discriminated against? Today we want to find out what is going on. They made promises, and I believe they are being disingenuous now. We need some answers."

The RFA and PEP have joined forces for the August 14 local government elections.

Thomas added, "The people have been very accommodating, and they want change."

PEP leader Phillip Alexander said the call by the ex- Caroni workers was not for a favour from the Government, but land owed to them.

He accused the government of taking land earmarked for the ex-Caroni workers and giving it to others.

He called on the ministry, and by extension, the Government, to honour their commitment and obligation. From what he was told, he said, many ex-Caroni workers had died heartbroken, without receiving the land.

"The Government, through this action, has severed people's trust," Alexander said.

To the people of TT who might think the issue does not affect them, he said a day would come when they would be the victims of a heartless, cruel, and vindictive government.

Alexander pledged to continue working with Thomas and her team until the ex-Caroni workers get victory and justice.

Farmer Krishendath Goorcharan prayed against the "wickedness" done by "government after government" against ex-Caroni workers.

"May God bless us and give us the strength and courage to overcome these wicked people,” he said.

Goorcharan bashed former prime minister Basdeo Panday, accusing him of "not helping Indian people," adding that when Kamla Persad-Bissessar came into government, "she did the same."

He also criticised the former Petrotrin workers, accusing them of doing nothing on the job and not deserving the land.

Pundit Donny Samlal led prayers outside the ministry's closed gates.

He said, "We have been receiving false hopes and promises. We pray that all injustices come to an end. We come in peace. This morning we come in prayer. We have not been given the respect that we deserve."

Calls to line minister Kazim Hosein went unanswered.