Chanting betrayal, treachery and injustice, hundreds of workers braved heavy rains and marched to the historic Fyzabad Junction yesterday in celebration of Labour Day.While Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal and Labour Minister Errol Mc Leod stayed away from the march, representatives from the Movement for Social Justice were present, along with political leader David Abdulah.The labour leaders arrived at Butler House around noon with various sections of the Oilfield Workers' Trade Union and the Communication Workers Trade Union.
These unions were followed by the Banking, Insurance and General Workers Trade Union, T&T Unified Teachers' Association (TTUTA), Public Services Association, UWI Open Campus and the Registered Nurses Association, all shouting for justice.Representatives of the National Union of Domestic Employees, and the OAS section, who have been engaged in protest over construction of the Government's $7.5 billion highway, also joined the march.The workers denounced the Government for engaging in nepotism and corruption.President general of the All Trinidad General Workers Trade Union Nirvan Maharaj told the workers: "We are failing because we have forgotten the lessons of the past and while we forget our young men are dying in the killing fields of the northern hills, the central plains and the southern lands."
President of TTUTA Roustan Job said there must be changes in the education system to cater for non-academic pupils."School studies are becoming irrelevant to the needs of society with over-emphasis on qualification without learning, certification without knowledge of how to interact and show abilities," Job said.He said there was hopelessness among young People and the education system is not addressing this concern. Job also called for regularisation of early childhood care teachers who are currently being paid $2,600 per month.
