IOCL workers: Employer has money

IOCL stated last Friday that the Industrial Court would have to resolve the dispute between itself and employees because the company is unable to pay workers their requested wage increases. “IOCL cannot afford such an increase or anything close to that,” a company press release said.

“Strike action is an option that is available to the union, once the negotiations have broken down at the Ministry of Labour and can last for up to 90 days.” After the 90 days, the dispute would have to be settled in the Industrial Court.

However, Ronald Williams, an Oilfield Workers Trade Union shop steward and IOCL boat captain said that the company is lying about its financial situation.

“It is a matter of greed,” said Williams, to describe his employer.

“We understand the country is in a recession, we understand that Trinmar and Petrotrin is going through a situation, but IOCL is not suffering from that, you know.” Williams claimed that IOCL received money in excess of its original contract and that its contract was extended from three years to five years. As such, “there is absolutely no reason to be bawling and crying like that.” According to Williams, contracts signed between Petrotrin, OWTU and IOCL stated that workers were to be paid the minimum wages stipulated by Petrotrin for all contract workers.

These minimum wages were those paid to Petrotrin workers.

“Contractors were told to tender with minimum wage. If you do not do that, do not worry to tender at all - it was supposed to create a level playing field. We were all there and we heard that for ourselves. I don’t know what happened behind closed doors after that.” Attempts to reach IOCL officials for comment have so far proven unsuccessful. Williams observed that contract workers were paid far less than the minimum.

In fact, “cleaners in Trinmar are getting what IOCL captains are making right now,” he claimed. Asked for an example of the wages paid to Petrotrin workers and contract workers, Williams said he would first need to clear it with OWTU President General Ancel Roget. However, Williams said that contrary to what the company is saying, the wages its workers are currently asking for is below the minimum wage.

Petrotrin’s marine operations was negatively affected last week as workers from IOCL, the main company responsible for transporting Petrotrin workers cargo,and equipment to and from its offshore engaged in strike action.