Trinidad unions march against government as Persad-Bissessar calls it a 'hate protest'

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad. Trade unions joined opposition politicians and members of the public on Friday in a march against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's government, in a dispute over workers' rights, wages and government policy.

Representatives of at least 12 unions took part. Marchers chanted "Kamla must go" as they passed through areas around the capital, including near the Office of the Prime Minister.

Prime minister hits back

Before the march, Persad-Bissessar questioned the unions' decision to protest, saying her administration had already acted on outstanding payments and workers' conditions. "Sadly, no matter what the UNC government does for some trade unions, it will never be enough," she said, describing the action as driven by hatred rather than concern for workers.

She also accused the unions of staying largely silent during the ten years of the previous People's National Movement (PNM) government, when, she said, workers faced delays in back pay, inadequate salary increases and threats over demands for better pay.

Afterwards she dismissed the march as a failure and a hate protest. "The protest has bust, back to work on Monday, enjoy the weekend, your Prime Minister loves you," she wrote on Facebook.

Opposition rejects race claim

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, who joined the march, rejected the prime minister's allegations of racial hostility and said the demonstration was about workers' rights.

She accused Persad-Bissessar of repeatedly bringing race into industrial disputes to divide the population and deter government supporters from taking part. Beckles said several unions had backed the UNC before the election, believing its promise that "everybody wins" would mean better conditions for all workers, but had since become dissatisfied.

National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) General Secretary Michael Annisette said police had asked for a postponement because Tobago Carnival, which began on Friday, would stretch security resources. He refused, saying the march had already been rescheduled once.

The leadership of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) and the Public Service Association (PSA) did not take part, although one OWTU supporter at the march criticised the union's executive as too close to the government.