No VSEP cheques paid to Caroni (1975) Ltd workers

A REPORTED glitch in the settlement of pension packages for monthly paid staff at Caroni (1975) Ltd forestalled payment of Voluntary Separation of Employment Package (VSEP) cheques to the 9,000-plus daily paid workers at the cash-strapped sugar company yesterday.

From as early as 6 am, scores of workers milled about the company’s distribution centres at Brechin Castle and Usine Ste Madeleine factory compounds awaiting word on when and where their cheques could be collected. And with disappointment etched on their faces, the workers were informed by union officials that the company would not be distributing VSEP cheques but had instead prepared final salary cheques for distribution. All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union (ATSGWTU) General Secretary Pooran Rattan told Newsday the union was informed that a number of reasons were being forwarded for the delay, including alleged discrepancies in application forms. And asked when workers would begin receiving cheques, Rattan said the union was “optimistic” that payments would be ready by next Monday.

However, Rattan laid the blame for the non-payment of VSEP cheques squarely on Government’s doorstep, saying the union was “hoping” that sugar workers would not be given the type of treatment meted out to national airline, BWIA. “We hope that they don’t treat our workers like how they are treating BWIA workers,” he said. Efforts to contact acting Caroni CEO, Chandra Bobart, proved futile as he was said to be in a meeting with members of the Administrative, Technical and Supervisory Staff (ATASS).