By Sue-Ann Wayow
EX-Caroni workers clashed with security officers at the Ministry of Agriculture’s head office in Chaguanas during a protest.
On Wednesday, the workers led by political leader of the Re-United Farmers Alliance, Davica Thomas, placarded the office in Chaguanas and challenged the four security officers who prevented them from entering the building.
Thomas told AZP News, she went to the ministry initially by herself to meet with the legal team to discuss any updates on the ex-workers’ Voluntary Separation Employment Programme (VSEP) packages around 9.15 am.
She said by around 9.45 am, word had spread and the ex-Caroni workers came out in their numbers, almost 200 to lend support.
Thomas was told the persons she wanted to meet were not in office. She then requested a meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture’s acting permanent secretary Coomarie Goolabsingh.
She was informed Goolabsingh was in a meeting and Thomas said she would wait until the PS became
available even if it took all day.
Those gathered were not allowed into the compound until around 11.30 am as gates were locked.
This was done after Thomas threatened legal action claiming it was the protestors’ democratic right to be allowed unto the compound as it was a public space.
When the gate was opened, the protestors followed her to the entrance of the building where the four security officers stood blocking the main entrance door to the building.
They sat down on the floor while they waited.
During the stand-off, one elderly woman was pushed aside by the security which was captured on video.
Around 12.45 pm, Thomas was told that the PS will allow a meeting with one person on the condition that all others leave the compound.
This was conveyed to Thomas by a police superintendent who later arrived at the compound with other police officers and had a brief meeting with persons within the building.
Thomas asked those gathered to wait nearby at Heartland Plaza until the meeting was over and they complied.
After the meeting which lasted about 15 minutes, she told them that it was cordial and productive and she would be having direct communication with Goolabsingh going forward.
Thomas said she was told that the ministry was working on preparing the land and that by early next month, distribution will start.
She said the PS was asked by her to send that information in writing and she was also asked to be specific and very clear and the correspondence between them will be shared on the relevant social media groups.
“It was a very cordial meeting and yes they are working feverishly to get the land sorted out… it was a very productive morning,” Thomas told the protestors.
She thanked those who came out to support the cause saying on previous occasions they were locked out but this time, the gates were opened for them.
Thomas also said she spoke with the security officers who said they were afraid the building was going to be stormed by the ex-workers which was why the door was locked.
She said Goolabsingh also said she understood the frustration and apologised for any misunderstandings.
However, some were still displeased saying they have been waiting for far too long to get their VSEP.
One protestor said, “ We sit down quiet like chupidees and we wait.”
She added “ We have to sit down quiet and wait ah next month. We don’t know how much lots they giving. They going to start two-two here, two-two there, that’s what they have been doing over the last 20 years. How much people died this year alone?”
They were not encouraged to protest again but to await the official correspondence.
Thomas told them, “I will not encourage you all to come back and protest.”
She said if the group was not satisfied with the correspondence, she will have further discussions with the relevant personnel.
The crowd dispersed around 2 pm.
Thomas told AZP News, she sent an email to Goolabsingh on Thursday morning and suggested a response timeframe of seven days.
“One of the main problems was the communication,” she said.
Earlier this month, just prior to the local government election, the ex-workers protested at the head office following the announcement that 180 ex-Petrotrin workers were awarded plots of land via a random draw at the Government Campus Plaza Auditorium in Port of Spain.
The protestors had given the ministry until August 23 to provide updates to them, none of which were given in that time frame Thomas said.
