Fishermen’s union rep defends disorderly conduct in Parliament: Ban - a heap of rubbish

President of the Independent Fishermen Union of Trinidad and Tobago (IFUtt) Robert Sagramsingh has admitted to disorderly behaviour in Parliament but described the ban as “offensive” and “a heap of rubbish.”

In a statement on Friday, Parliament announced that Sagramsingh and Maxine Gonzales, spokesman for the Members Club and Lottery Workers Union, would not be admitted into the precincts of Parliament “until further directed” and police officers at the Parliament were empowered to withdraw them. The order was issued by Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George. According to a Parliament official no member of the public had been banned in at least 20 years.

The ban occurred following an incident in the Senate on Thursday. During the contribution by Minister in the Ministry of Finance Allyson West, Gonzales began shouting across the floor that Government was not hearing the plight of casino workers. Gonzales in a media interview said she was not thinking when she acted but said she would do it again.

Although the order was issued by the Speaker, in the release yesterday Sagramsingh said the unelected Senate President “dealt a blow to the democracy with this obscene ban on the fishing community.”

“The Parliament is supposed to be the house of the people, the people are now being put out. Trinidad and Tobago under this Government is bent on taxing the population to death which has set us on the road of the great banana republics and failed states of the world.”

He reported they have engaged the services of a lawyer to review the ban which “suppresses our democratic rights” and they will take legal action if possible.

Sagramsingh also stated while maxi taxis and taxis are simply prepared to increase fares and pass it along to an already over-taxed population, fishermen are not prepared to do the same.

“IFUtt is not prepared to quietly accept and roll over to the Government destroying our lives without responding.”

Sagramsingh, speaking during a telephone interview, said he started to get vex during the debate when he heard a Parliament member received money for a medical bill while there were children awaiting life and death surgery.

“They (are) laughing in Parliament. Like is a show. These are the people who make laws.”

He said when Gonzales became upset he also started to shout at the parliamentarians as well.

“Is poor people they dealing with. They changing things and they have no heart.”

Sagramsingh said he was aware his conduct was not allowed and he does not deny his behaviour.

He said IFUtt, which was registered as a trade union on Friday, has asked for a meeting with Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat on the impact of the rise in diesel prices upon fishermen. He reported on Tuesday the group sent a release to the media and copied it to the minister requesting the urgent meeting but they have not yet received a response. He said they attended Parliament hoping to speak with someone about their plight. He added there was no consultation about how the rise of fuel prices would impact on fishermen and poor people.

Rambharat previously told Newsday he would look at correspondence from the group but the increase in diesel prices was a Cabinet decision and he could do nothing about it.

Yesterday, Sagramsingh said if Rambharat could not lobby for fishermen and agriculture he should step down so they can get someone to represent these groups.