radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Six years have passed and workers from Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) say they have not been paid Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) and other benefits since 2015.
Around 6 am, about 40 workers led by the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union gathered in the car park of TCL compound at Claxton Bay, hoping to get an update on their outstanding benefits.
The gathering did not hamper operations at the company.
Branch Secretary of the OWTU Akini Solomon told Guardian Media that over 100 retirees and 200 permanent and casual workers are owed since 2015.
He said TCL has raised the price of cement recently but has failed to pay the workers their just dues.
“COLA is supposed to be a buffer for workers to cope with rising inflation. They have left workers to suffer,” Solomon said.
He added, “We want to know why money is not paid since 2015. This is a few months now we have been gathering here.
“We met in December 2021 and the general manager said they had the money to pay, it is available and this is March still has not been paid.” He noted that workers will continue to keep up the struggle.
Contacted for comment, TCL in a statement said, “A comprehensive package for all our employees within the bargaining unit is currently under review with the union and this item (COLA) is part of the discussion.”
The company said it “continues to invite the union to meet towards the finalization of this new collective agreement and remains confident that a mutually beneficial position would be achieved.”
