Moonilal: Govt is guilty of murder

He contended that Government’s failure to implement OSHA meant that it was responsible for the "murder" of Lester Charles, Anthony Hamlett, Shivonne Harrilal, Sanjeet Rampersad and Leon Jackman, all of whom died as a result of industrial mishaps.

He was speaking in the debate on a private motion filed by Nariva MP Harry Partap, which called on Government to implement the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Moonilal stated, "When workers because of economic duress and necessity must go to weld on a ship, when they have no protective gear or health and safety training, the result cannot be an accident. It is wilful act of corporate and governmental murder," he said.

He added, "The blood of those workers killed flows from balisier flowers."

Moonilal suggested that apart from implementing OSHA, Government should consider creating a new criminal offence — corporate manslaughter — in instances where the company was clearly culpable.

He added that Government should also consider if compensation for the victims’ family should come from the CEO’s pay.

Noting that Trinidad and Tobago was currently operating under the 1948 Factory Ordinance, Moonilal stated that under the legislation the term ‘‘factory’’ did not cover off-shore platforms or accidents at sea.

"In the case of industrial accidents at sea, nobody is to blame, nobody is to be compensated, and nobody is to be found," he lamented.

This enabled employers "to run away from the scene of the crime." Moonilal said, "If we had OSHA (in place) the families of Lester Charles and Anthony Hamlett would not have been in mourning."

He slammed Government for having the political will to shut down Caroni, but not to implement OSHA. It was clear that Government was in the back pocket of big business, he said.

Stating that many employers and contractors did not want to pay the costs associated with OSHA, Moonilal said with a hint of mischief, "If you have to spend money on workers’ health and safety, you have less ‘sweetbread’ money."

He called on Government to protect the women of the country. He said nurses were open to attack by patients and their families, while teachers were being attacked by parents.

Moonilal also slammed Montano for making the most "idiotic" statement about the UWI being a UNC constituency.

He said he did not expect anything progressive from Montano given his views on the UWI.

The Oropouche MP noted that no report had ever been produced as a result of the mishap on the Lady Oslo in October 1993, in which five dockworkers lost their lives.

He said it was ridiculous to have only five labour inspectors for 240 factories.