RADHICA DE SILVA
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Betrayal, sadness, and anger.
These are the feelings expressed by Petrotrin workers as they begin the process of cost cutting to safeguard their families in the face of impending job loss.
With Petrotrin now defunct and job positions about to be advertised, workers on the chopping block are clinging to the hope that they will be rehired by the newly formed Heritage Petroleum Company Limited and the Paria Fuel Trading Company, which now replaces Petrotrin.
If they cannot find jobs, many workers said they may be in danger of losing their homes as the severance payouts cannot cover their house mortgage loans. Others said their children may have to drop out of university because they can no longer afford to pay expensive tuition fees.
More than 1,800 plus permanent employees have already accepted their exit packages and several workers interviewed by Guardian Media said they are hoping to collect their pension lump sums in addition to their severance pay to clear off existing debts.
Facing the breadline with three children and a wife under his care, Paul Patterson (not his real name) said he gave his entire life to Petrotrin.
"I feel totally betrayed because I came into Petrotrin as an apprentice. I worked my way up, sacrificing family time. I missed out so much when my children were growing up because of my commitment to this company. I moved up from being a casual worker to being a permanent worker and now when I think I'm on the home stretch, they terminate me," Patterson said.
With two daughters in university and 14-year-old son in college, Patterson said he was unsure how they would survive. His offer of settlement was around $300,000 but Patterson said he owes a mortgage and a vehicle loan which amounts to over $400,000.
"I did not expect to be fired so I took a mortgage to buy a house and loans for a vehicle and to send my children to university. We wanted a better life. I am halfway through my loans. Both loans total $6,200 monthly. That $300,000 settlement will clear the house mortgage but not the loans I owe for my daughter's university education or my car loan. What about our living expenses? My wife never worked a day in her life so I really don't know how we will manage."
He said now that he is 48 years old, he was preparing to go back into agriculture and animal husbandry.
'Only the best will be rehired'
A casual worker who also requested anonymity said he took his daughter out of a paid private primary school because of his predicament.
"While working at Petrotrin we decided to send our daughter to a private school because of the high incidence of bullying in public schools. Now I cannot afford to send her to private school anymore. With no salary coming in, we will not be able to afford this. I have already sold my Navara van and I plan to purchase a smaller foreign-used car," the worker said.
He noted that casual and temporary workers will only get a small payout.
"I worked for 15 years as a temporary worker. They never made me permanent but I always believed I had a job in Petrotrin. I am accustomed to providing for my family. We have cut back on expenses now. We cannot go out to eat anymore. We have stopped buying food outside. I am prepared to sell my vehicle and use that money to pay our household bills until we can find a job," he added.
Another permanent worker Kyle Branson (not his real name) said the only hope on the horizon was the Oilfield Workers Trade Union.
"The union said do not collect any letters so we are just hoping that the company does not call us with termination letters. We will not get much. We scared to collect but we are still trying to side with the union. People are very confused and don't know what to do. On one hand the company is threatening us and on the other hand, the union is looking weak after losing in court. Some people saying they don’t know whether to back the union but we must stand strong together," Branson said.
He said at a manager's meeting recently, they were told that the company's name would be changed and job positions will be advertised.
"Only the best workers will be rehired. We hope to be in that batch," Branson said.
He noted that all workers were asked to update their labour profile with any additional skills and qualifications at Petrotrin's Labour Office in anticipation of the rehiring process. However, he said many workers failed to do this because they suspected that officials wanted their updated contact information so they can issue letters of termination.
Casual and temporary workers have been told that they will be working until November 30, along with the remaining permanent staff.
Less than 50 per cent of the Petrotrin permanent workforce is over 50 years old and a source said these are the only ones who may get a decent payout. "The people under 50 who are collecting their letters with 12 and 13 years of service are getting $300,000 but that cannot even cover their mortgage or loans. We will know by the end of the month what the pension payout will be if we are getting that at all. People are very worried about their severance letter," he added.
Energy Ministry Franklin Khan in a recent interview said 4,700 workers will be terminated with Petrotrin's closure, comprising approximately 3,500 permanent workers and approximately 1,200 non-permanent workers. He said severance packages will cost upwards of $1 billion.
