Caroni’s monthly staff get paid but no $$ for daily-paid

ONLY PART of the money owing to employees of Caroni (1975) Limited for March salaries has been paid. Yesterday, some workers and cane farmers received part payment of sums owed to them. Cane farmers have been given part payment for three-week supply of canes to the company’s factories.

Caroni’s acting chief executive officer, Chandra Bobart, confirmed yesterday that the company had secured part funding payment “with an endeavour to meet the rest by next week”. Bobart said approximately $12 million was paid out yesterday but declined to say how much more was owing and for what period. “Whatever is outstanding we have endeavoured to pay by next week,” Bobart said. Newsday learned that while Caroni’s staff received salaries for last month, funds were made available to cover wages for one week in respect of daily-paid employees.

Rudy Indarsingh, President General of the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union (ATSGWTU), which represents daily-paid employees, described the non-payment as an attempt to victimise the workers. Last week, Caroni was prevented from pursuing its VSEP plans for its 9000 daily-paid employees, when the union obtained an Industrial Court injunction against the company. “It seems to be victimisation and deception. But what is worrying is that both the Prime Minister and Mr Rahael (Agriculture Minister) came to Couva to allay the fears of sugar workers. “Witholding money from sugar workers is looking after their interest?” Indarsingh asked.

President of the Sugar Industry Staff Association, Jai Ramkissoon, expressed gratitude that monies “went to the bank” yesterday. The union, together with the Association of Technical Administrative Supervisory Staff, represents monthly-paid employees. Checks with the company’s human resource department revealed that only 50 of the 1,100 monthly-paid staff did not sign up for VSEP. Contacted yesterday, Trinidad Island-wide Cane Farmers Association’s (TICFA) public relations officer, Lallan Rajaram, said the payout was just a fraction of the monies owing to farmers. Next Wednesday, he said, would complete a fortnight of cane delivery without pay. “That would amount to $8 million. We have decided to cease cutting canes if farmers are not paid.” Rajaram said.