Ex-Caroni Green head sues Govt

He said despite assurances by the chairman of CGL in April, that all monthly paid staff contracts will be honoured, Lalla was told later that month that he will only be paid a portion of what he claims is owed.

According to Lalla’s lawsuit, filed yesterday in the Port of Spain High Court by attorneys Larry Lalla and Rajiv Chaitoo, as a result of government’s termination of his contract, he is owed $1,537,165.02 which represents unpaid salaries, accrued vacation leave, 12 months gross salary inclusive of benefits, 20 per cent gratuity payment, performance incentive bonus, vehicle acquisition benefit as a result of the termination of his contract.

According to Lalla, CGL was a special purpose company set up by the State to carry out and execute government policy of bringing idle or under-utilised agricultural lands into active agricultural production.

He said directors were appointed by Cabinet on the recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture, and held office at the will of the minister.

He said the company operated as an agent of the State and not as a separate legal entity and the state is jointly and liable to him for damages for breach of his employment contract, which was expected to come to an end in August 2018.

Lalla said when the decision was taken by the Cabinet to shut down CGL in March, a board of directors was appointed to implement the liquidation of the company.

He said at no time did chairman of CGL take the time to get an appreciation of the operations of the company and was induced into breaching his contract of employment.

During a post-Cabinet media briefing, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said CGL was spending $6 million to produce 700,000 peppers and faced private sector competition.