By Chantalé Fletcher
THE Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) is demanding that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley reinstate the Petrotrin employees’ pension and medical plans.
OWTU President Ancel Roget said, “Have a heart and replace that which was taken away from workers and retirees, a negotiated benefit, so they can continue to live the rest of their senior years in dignity.”
Roget, along with other executives and scores of Petrotrin retirees gathered in Port of Spain on Friday morning to hand-deliver a letter to the Prime Minister.
He said the letter highlighted the challenges faced since the shutting down of the medical plan and underfunding of the pension plan since the company’s closure in 2018.
Roget said in 2018, the Pension had a deficit of $4.6 billion and the Government had given the union the assurance it would be paid, however, today no funding has been made.
He said, “Since then many retirees have suffered and died as a result of not being able to access proper medical care, in which they were entitled to during their time of work and retirement.”
Roget said both the medical and pension plans were contributory, as both active employees and retirees contributed religiously throughout their employment.
In addition, it also guaranteed them a level of quality healthcare and access to various Petrotrin Medical centres.
He said, “These retirees would have contributed to the country’s development and economy by working in extreme hazardous conditions, temperatures and pressures and toxic chemicals, risking life and limb to produce a commodity in which the country depended and benefited from.”
Roget said its removal was a disrespect to those who contributed to national development.
He said, “It is wrong, spiteful and wicked for any Government to remove unilaterally and cancel medical care and pension plans to senior citizens; those who contributed and now turned their backs on their employees.”
He called on the Government to reopen all medical facilities under former Petrotrin now.
These included the Point-a-Pierre Augustus Long Hospital, Trinmar base in Point Fortin, Guayaguayare, Forest Reserve, Penal and Santa Flora Medical centres so former employees and retirees can access care.
In addition, he also called for the Government to stand by their commitment in 2018 to fund the deficit to ensure the pension plan could be continued to facilitate those retired.
Roget said it was the least the Government could do since they shut down Petrotrin.
