By Yvonne Webb
http://legacy.guardian.co.tt/archives/2003-05-27/news6.html
The All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union yesterday issued a call to Government to clear the air on who gave permission to millionaire Pastor Vishnu Lutchmansingh to occupy Caroni (1975) lands, in contravention of a High Court injunction.
At the same time, President General of the Union, Rudy Indarsingh, said Government must publicly declare what is its general plan for the 77,000 acres of Caroni’s land.
At a news conference held at the Union’s Rienzi Complex headquarters, Indarsingh said that since February 17, 2003, ATSGWTU had been granted an interim injunction by the High Court, preventing Caroni from disposing of any assets, except its stock in trade.
“Recent developments seem to indicate that this order, which was handed down by the High Court, has been violated at Chin Chin Junction, Cunupia,” Indarsingh said, adding that Government is bent on giving away Caroni lands to its friends and financiers.
“Because, here it is we have an individual, Pastor Lutchmansingh, who is supposed to be a law-abiding citizen, apparently violating an order of the court and also implicating the Prime Minister as having given him permission to go on the lands of Caroni.”
Indarsingh questioned the role of the Estate Management Business Development Company, created to manage the lands of Caroni, in terms of facilitating the process alluded to by Lutchmansingh.
Lutchmansingh is reported as saying that Prime Minister Patrick Manning gave him permission to occupy the land, which he purchased from businessman Junior Gopaul. Caroni has contested the claim, serving the pastor with a notice to desist from trespassing on its land.
“The union is concerned about what will become of the most valuable asset of Caroni, which is its 77,000 acres of land,” Indarsingh said.
He noted that earlier this year, Caroni had to move in on trespassers in an area near the Learning Resource Centre and reclaim its land.
At present, he said, 11 acres of Caroni lands are being graded at La Fortune, Woodland, in field number BV 50, for the construction of an asphalt mixing facility.
He said this is a total deviation from Government’s thrust, as enunciated by Agriculture Minister John Rahael earlier this year, that the most valuable assets of the company, its prime agriculture land, must be retained for this purpose.
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Tuesday, May 27, 2003
Friday, April 25, 2003
Sugar union demands answers on late salaries
By Michelle Doodhai
http://legacy.guardian.co.tt/archives/2003-04-25/news11.html
The All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers’ Trade Union is calling on Government to clarify why wages and salaries due to daily-paid employees of Caroni (1975) Limited for the last three weeks have not yet been paid.
A release from the union, which is headed by Rudranath Indarsingh, said the call is being made in light of recent statements made by Ministers in the House of Representatives that $500 million has been approved for Caroni.
“The union and its membership, in the circumstances, can only conclude that such statements are being played out for the benefit of the media and the population outside of the sugar industry,” it said.
The release said the statement was not made to the benefit of workers, who were given the assurance by Agriculture Minister John Rahael that late payment of wages and salaries would be a non-issue during the 2003 sugar crop.
Sugar workers, the release said, have not been able to satisfy and service their commitments to their families and financial institutions they are indebted to as a result of the non-payment of salaries.
The union is of the opinion that the situation could have been remedied within 24 hours of the Cabinet decision, through the issuance of official correspondence from the Ministry of Finance to the bankers of Caroni.
The ATSGWTU commended workers for their discipline but questioned why sugar workers are treated as “second class”.
http://legacy.guardian.co.tt/archives/2003-04-25/news11.html
The All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers’ Trade Union is calling on Government to clarify why wages and salaries due to daily-paid employees of Caroni (1975) Limited for the last three weeks have not yet been paid.
A release from the union, which is headed by Rudranath Indarsingh, said the call is being made in light of recent statements made by Ministers in the House of Representatives that $500 million has been approved for Caroni.
“The union and its membership, in the circumstances, can only conclude that such statements are being played out for the benefit of the media and the population outside of the sugar industry,” it said.
The release said the statement was not made to the benefit of workers, who were given the assurance by Agriculture Minister John Rahael that late payment of wages and salaries would be a non-issue during the 2003 sugar crop.
Sugar workers, the release said, have not been able to satisfy and service their commitments to their families and financial institutions they are indebted to as a result of the non-payment of salaries.
The union is of the opinion that the situation could have been remedied within 24 hours of the Cabinet decision, through the issuance of official correspondence from the Ministry of Finance to the bankers of Caroni.
The ATSGWTU commended workers for their discipline but questioned why sugar workers are treated as “second class”.
Wednesday, April 2, 2003
TROUBLED COMPANY REPORTER Vol. 4, Issue 65
T R O U B L E D C O M P A N Y R E P O R T E R
L A T I N A M E R I C A
Wednesday, April 2, 2003, Vol. 4, Issue 65
CARONI LTD: 2 Managers Go on Pre-Retirement Leave Amid VSEP Woes
----------------------------------------------------------------
Two top managers of Caroni (1975) Ltd. are going on pre-
retirement leave, according to a report by the Trinidad Express.
Selwyn Bhajan, Caroni's Human Resource Manager and Caroni chief
executive William Washington will officially be out starting
Thursday.
In the meantime, Factories manager Chandra Bobart has been
appointed acting CEO. The report indicates that Mr. Bhajan would
take up an appointment with another company, but Mr. Washington's
future plans were not indicated.
"I am going on pre-retirement leave. All senior staff who had
accumulated leave had been asked to taker that leave from April,"
said Mr. Washington.
The CEO's exit raised rumors that he was sent on leave, but there
were no confirmations whether it was Minister of Agriculture John
Rahael or from the Chairman of the Board Kusha Haracksingh who
ordered the leave, if there was any.
All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union president
Rudranath Indarsingh said, "We must now assess the people at the
helm of the company. We must also ask whether this plot to send
Washington home is part of the PNM's agenda to ensure that Caroni
fails."
Trinidad Islandwide Cane Farmers Association president Raffique
Shah accepted that it is time for Mr. Washington to leave,
although he admitted that no experienced personnel should be sent
home at this time.
The restructuring of Caroni has caused a rift between unions
representing its workers, the management, and the government.
CONTACT: Caroni Limited
Old Southern Main Road, Caroni,
Trinidad & Tobago
Phone: (868) 663-1781 or 662-0879
Fax: (868) 663-1404
All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers' Trade Union
Rienzi Complex
Exchange Village
Southern Main Road, Couva.
President: Mr. Boysie Moore-Jones
General Secretary: Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh
Tel. 868-636-2354
Fax. 868-636-3372
E-mail: atsgwtu@opus.co.tt
CARONI LTD: Opposition Refuses to Present Motion for Debate Again
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The People's National Movement Government failed to convince the
Opposition to present a motion paving the way for a debate on the
restructuring of Caroni (1975) Ltd., reports the Trinidad
Express.
This is the second instance that the Opposition declined to
present a motion to start the debate. Two weeks ago, Prime
Minister Patrick Manning publicly challenged the UNC to present a
motion for full debate in the House.
At a meeting on Friday, House Leader Ken Valley presented a
motion to have the Standing Orders suspended to allow for the
motion by the Opposition.
However, Opposition Chief Whip Ganga Singh declined the offer
while the Opposition Leader shouted: "All you think we born
yesterday?", said the report.
Mr. Singh argued that it was the government's responsibility to
first present the plan, and then move the motion.
CARONI LTD: Industrial Court Bans Promotion of VSEP to Workers
--------------------------------------------------------------
Caroni (1975) Ltd. is barred from promoting its offer of the
Voluntary Separation of Employment Plan (VSEP) to its employees,
as stipulated in an injunction issued by Addison Khan, president
of the Industrial Court on Friday.
The injunction, effective starting Sunday, also orders that the
Company should not treat those who have accepted the VSEP package
as though they have completely terminated their employment.
The All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers' Union (ATSGWU) filed
for the issuance of the injunction on the grounds that the
Company failed to negotiate the VSEP with the union, which
represents Caroni employees.
"I do not consider that the company will suffer any harm if I
granted the injunction. On the other hand, if I do not grant the
injunction, the union and the workers are likely to suffer
irreparable damage," commented Mr. Khan, who issued the
injunction after almost five hours of hearing submissions.
The union was represented by attorneys Douglas Mendes, Dave Cowie
and Ashvani Mahabir, while the Company's lawyers were Reginald
Almond, Kerwin Garcia and Allan Alexander, who requested for the
dismissal of the injunction as the same issue had been raised in
a high court matter, said the report.
Although ATSGWU president general Rudy Indarsingh was pleased
with the ruling, he remained careful, saying the injunction is
temporary and did not want to get too hopeful.
CARONI LTD: Official to Discuss VSEP During Conference
------------------------------------------------------
Oropouche MP Roodal Moonilal said that he will discuss the issue
of Trinidad and Tobago state sugar enterprise Caroni (1975) Ltd.
during the First Caribbean Labour Policy Conference in Jamaica.
The meeting, organized by the Mona School of Business and the UWI
Department of Management, will be attended by government leaders,
trade unionists, employers and academics from the Caribbean and
North America. Labor and employment policies in the new Caribbean
economy will be discussed.
Mr. Moonilal was quoted by the Trinidad Guardian saying that he
intends to raise the controversial "forced" Voluntary Separation
of Employment Plan (VSEP) the People's National Movement
Government is offering to about 9,000 Caroni employees.
"This issue will be raised within one of the conference sub-
themes on "Labour Policy and Public Sector Reform," he said.
The conference, to be held at the University of the West Indies,
Mona Campus, is aimed at providing a mechanism for developing
policy guidelines about issues relating to the labor market,
labor legislation, and labor employment relations in the
Caribbean.
Mr, Moonilal, who claims he spent more than four years collecting
data on employment practices in the security industry, said he
intends to present the paper entitled: "Even the Dogs are Better
Off: Labour Relations in the Informal Sector of Trinidad - A Case
Study of the Private Security Industry"
L A T I N A M E R I C A
Wednesday, April 2, 2003, Vol. 4, Issue 65
CARONI LTD: 2 Managers Go on Pre-Retirement Leave Amid VSEP Woes
----------------------------------------------------------------
Two top managers of Caroni (1975) Ltd. are going on pre-
retirement leave, according to a report by the Trinidad Express.
Selwyn Bhajan, Caroni's Human Resource Manager and Caroni chief
executive William Washington will officially be out starting
Thursday.
In the meantime, Factories manager Chandra Bobart has been
appointed acting CEO. The report indicates that Mr. Bhajan would
take up an appointment with another company, but Mr. Washington's
future plans were not indicated.
"I am going on pre-retirement leave. All senior staff who had
accumulated leave had been asked to taker that leave from April,"
said Mr. Washington.
The CEO's exit raised rumors that he was sent on leave, but there
were no confirmations whether it was Minister of Agriculture John
Rahael or from the Chairman of the Board Kusha Haracksingh who
ordered the leave, if there was any.
All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union president
Rudranath Indarsingh said, "We must now assess the people at the
helm of the company. We must also ask whether this plot to send
Washington home is part of the PNM's agenda to ensure that Caroni
fails."
Trinidad Islandwide Cane Farmers Association president Raffique
Shah accepted that it is time for Mr. Washington to leave,
although he admitted that no experienced personnel should be sent
home at this time.
The restructuring of Caroni has caused a rift between unions
representing its workers, the management, and the government.
CONTACT: Caroni Limited
Old Southern Main Road, Caroni,
Trinidad & Tobago
Phone: (868) 663-1781 or 662-0879
Fax: (868) 663-1404
All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers' Trade Union
Rienzi Complex
Exchange Village
Southern Main Road, Couva.
President: Mr. Boysie Moore-Jones
General Secretary: Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh
Tel. 868-636-2354
Fax. 868-636-3372
E-mail: atsgwtu@opus.co.tt
CARONI LTD: Opposition Refuses to Present Motion for Debate Again
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The People's National Movement Government failed to convince the
Opposition to present a motion paving the way for a debate on the
restructuring of Caroni (1975) Ltd., reports the Trinidad
Express.
This is the second instance that the Opposition declined to
present a motion to start the debate. Two weeks ago, Prime
Minister Patrick Manning publicly challenged the UNC to present a
motion for full debate in the House.
At a meeting on Friday, House Leader Ken Valley presented a
motion to have the Standing Orders suspended to allow for the
motion by the Opposition.
However, Opposition Chief Whip Ganga Singh declined the offer
while the Opposition Leader shouted: "All you think we born
yesterday?", said the report.
Mr. Singh argued that it was the government's responsibility to
first present the plan, and then move the motion.
CARONI LTD: Industrial Court Bans Promotion of VSEP to Workers
--------------------------------------------------------------
Caroni (1975) Ltd. is barred from promoting its offer of the
Voluntary Separation of Employment Plan (VSEP) to its employees,
as stipulated in an injunction issued by Addison Khan, president
of the Industrial Court on Friday.
The injunction, effective starting Sunday, also orders that the
Company should not treat those who have accepted the VSEP package
as though they have completely terminated their employment.
The All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers' Union (ATSGWU) filed
for the issuance of the injunction on the grounds that the
Company failed to negotiate the VSEP with the union, which
represents Caroni employees.
"I do not consider that the company will suffer any harm if I
granted the injunction. On the other hand, if I do not grant the
injunction, the union and the workers are likely to suffer
irreparable damage," commented Mr. Khan, who issued the
injunction after almost five hours of hearing submissions.
The union was represented by attorneys Douglas Mendes, Dave Cowie
and Ashvani Mahabir, while the Company's lawyers were Reginald
Almond, Kerwin Garcia and Allan Alexander, who requested for the
dismissal of the injunction as the same issue had been raised in
a high court matter, said the report.
Although ATSGWU president general Rudy Indarsingh was pleased
with the ruling, he remained careful, saying the injunction is
temporary and did not want to get too hopeful.
CARONI LTD: Official to Discuss VSEP During Conference
------------------------------------------------------
Oropouche MP Roodal Moonilal said that he will discuss the issue
of Trinidad and Tobago state sugar enterprise Caroni (1975) Ltd.
during the First Caribbean Labour Policy Conference in Jamaica.
The meeting, organized by the Mona School of Business and the UWI
Department of Management, will be attended by government leaders,
trade unionists, employers and academics from the Caribbean and
North America. Labor and employment policies in the new Caribbean
economy will be discussed.
Mr. Moonilal was quoted by the Trinidad Guardian saying that he
intends to raise the controversial "forced" Voluntary Separation
of Employment Plan (VSEP) the People's National Movement
Government is offering to about 9,000 Caroni employees.
"This issue will be raised within one of the conference sub-
themes on "Labour Policy and Public Sector Reform," he said.
The conference, to be held at the University of the West Indies,
Mona Campus, is aimed at providing a mechanism for developing
policy guidelines about issues relating to the labor market,
labor legislation, and labor employment relations in the
Caribbean.
Mr, Moonilal, who claims he spent more than four years collecting
data on employment practices in the security industry, said he
intends to present the paper entitled: "Even the Dogs are Better
Off: Labour Relations in the Informal Sector of Trinidad - A Case
Study of the Private Security Industry"
Thursday, March 27, 2003
TROUBLED COMPANY REPORTER Vol. 4, Issue 61
T R O U B L E D C O M P A N Y R E P O R T E R
L A T I N A M E R I C A
Thursday, March 27, 2003, Vol. 4, Issue 61
=================================
T R I N I D A D & T O B A G O
=================================
CARONI LTD.: Opposition Refuses To File Motion
----------------------------------------------
The United National Congress refused to file a motion to start a debate on the Caroni issue, reports the Trinidad Guardian on Tuesday. The UNC was required to submit a motion on Monday to have it debated on Private Member's Day on Friday.
However, Trinidad and Tobago Agriculture Minister John Rahael was not surprised.
"The UNC's refusal to file the motion is exactly what we've been saying all the time. They do not want to discuss the issue; they want to create all sorts of red herrings without assessing the issue. Their plan was to shut down Caroni," said Mr. Rahael.
"I hope civil society will respond to their reaction. Friday is Private Members' Day, when the UNC can put forward its motions and we're prepared to debate it that day, " he added.
Couva South MP Kelvin Ramnath said, "As Government, they have a duty to file the motion. Until they do, they and the country can expect non-co-operation, total opposition on all Bills in both Houses, public marches and demonstrations. Parliament and the legislature will be on hold."
However, Mr. Ramnath made it clear that the Opposition will not file a motion.
"Government is clearly stalling on the matter to reach the April deadline for the VSEP. But we're not in any hurry. We'll maintain our position, especially where non-support of Bills is concerned," he said.
CONTACT: Caroni Limited
Old Southern Main Road, Caroni,
Trinidad & Tobago
Phone: (868) 663-1781 or 662-0879
Fax: (868) 663-1404
All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers' Trade Union
Rienzi Complex
Exchange Village
Southern Main Road, Couva.
President: Mr. Boysie Moore-Jones
General Secretary: Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh
Tel. 868-636-2354
Fax. 868-636-3372
E-mail: atsgwtu@opus.co.tt update atgwtu(at)tstt.net.tt
CARONI LTD.: Workers' Union Gets Support From Other Unions
----------------------------------------------------------
The All Trinidad Sugar General Workers' Trade Union (ATSGWU) received support from various unions all over the world concerning the plight of its members who work for Trinidad and Tobago state sugar company, Caroni (1975), Ltd.
Caroni offered 9,000 of its workers the Voluntary Separation of Employment Plan (VSEP) in the course of its restructuring.
ATSGWU received solidarity letters from the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers' Union (GAWU) and the International Union of Food Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Association of Switzerland, reports the Trinidad Express on Tuesday.
The European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT) even appealed to Prime Minister Patrick Manning to hold a "meaningful" dialogue with the union.
EFFAT general secretary Harald Wieldenhofer said, "We strongly regret that the VSEP, a key element of the restructuring of Caroni Ltd, was produced without the participation of the union, especially if you take into account that 8,000 workers are affiliated to the ATSGWTU."
Mr. Wieldenhofer conceded that Caroni needed to be restructured to adapt to the globalized sugar industry, and be more efficient in using natural resources. However, he added, "the future of the sugar industry in Trinidad depends on the full and democratic participation of all stakeholders in the decisions that will
shape the industry itself."
He recommends that Mr. Manning should discuss Caroni's restructuring with the unions.
Wednesday, January 15, 2003
MAKE REPORT ON CARONI'S FUTURE PUBLIC SAYS UNION
Press Release : January 15th 2003
The General Council of the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union has unanimously rejected Cabinet's summary decision on the restructuring of Caroni (1975) Ltd. At its monthly meeting dated January 8th 2003, the respective Branch Executives, Committees and Local Union Representatives (LURs) rejected Cabinet's proposed timeline and action plan for the implementation of the decisions with respect to the restructuring of Caroni (1975) Ltd. The motion was moved by Ramsook Singh President of the Williamsville Section and seconded by Ruben Narine of the Edinburgh Section. It was adopted by all present.
The motion also called on the Government to immediately settle the outstanding negotiations for a new Collective Agreement for the period 2002 to 2004. The motion called for the immediate continuation and completion of the negotiations for the said period before any restructuring is undertaken. The motion further called for the proposed restructuring plan to be made public and subject to island wide consultation before implementation.
The motion read as follows:
Whereas the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union is recognized as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for the hourly, daily, piece and task rated employees at Caroni(1975) Ltd. as stated in Article Five of its Registered Memorandum of Agreement
And Whereas the Government of Trinidad and Tobago had established a Committee to advance a Report on the Restructuring of Caroni (1975) Ltd.
And Whereas the Cabinet has adopted the Report of the said Committee
And Whereas the Cabinet has further proposed a timeline and action plan for the implementation of the decisions with respect to the restructuring of Caroni (1975) Ltd.
Be it Resolved that the General Council reject the Summary of the Cabinet decisions and the proposed implementation time line in its totality
Be it Further Resolved that the Government be called upon to immediately settle the outstanding negotiations for a new Collective Agreement for the period 2002 to 2004 before the implementation of any restructuring proposal
And be it Further Resolved that the proposed restructuring plan be made public and subject to island wide consultation before implementation.
The General Council resolved to "take the battle one step up from the Central Executive" and to do all within the limits of the law to avoid the execution of any reformation of the sugar industry, without participation and consultation of sugar workers and their representative Unions.
Friday, January 10, 2003
TROUBLED COMPANY REPORTER : Vol. 4, Issue 7
T R O U B L E D C O M P A N Y R E P O R T E R
L A T I N A M E R I C A
Friday, January 10, 2003, Vol. 4, Issue 7
http://bankrupt.com/TCRLA_Public/030110.mbx
CARONI LTD: Board Worried Over Union Threats To Disrupt Crop
------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of state sugar companies is concerned about the "pace
and timing of the transformation" of Caroni as the All Trinidad
Sugar and General Workers Trade Union threatens to disrupt sugar
production this year, said Caroni chairman Dr Kusha Haracksingh.
A report by the Trinidad Guardian reveals that the union has been
asking for the resolution of issues concerning the NIS and
pension benefits. But Agriculture Minister John said the Cabinet
is not likely to approve an increase in the US$637 million the
government had allotted for the VESP, the workers' pension plan.
Rahael explained that some areas of the restructuring plan are
not negotiable, disregarding the threats issued by union
president general Rudy Indarsingh. Earlier reports indicated that
Mr. Indarsingh complained about the unions on matters concerning
plans made for the Company.
Prime Minister Patrick Manning countered Indarsingh's statement
saying, the unions involved will be consulted once the voluntary
separation plan is finalized and approved by the Cabinet.
CONTACT: All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers' Trade Union
Rienzi Complex
Exchange Village
Southern Main Road, Couva.
President: Mr. Boysie Moore-Jones
General Secretary: Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh
Tel. 868-636-2354
Fax. 868-636-3372
E-mail: atsgwtu@opus.co.tt
CARONI LTD: Government May Provide Over $1B Subsidies This Year
---------------------------------------------------------------
Trinidad and Tobago state sugar company may get more than US$1
billion this year from the government. A report by the Trinidad
Guardian reveals that the government would offer an individual
enhanced VESP totaling US$637 million to 9,000 Caroni workers.
The government would make the offer on February 15, the report
adds.
Aside from that the country's Agriculture Minister John Rahael
said Caroni may receive US$400 million in subsidies from the
government this year. That, combined with the VESP, adds up to
more than US$1 billion dollars.
However, this would not be the case next year as Rahael predicts
the subsidy next year to be US$200 million at most, with less and
less assistance for the years thereafter.
"In 2004, I would assure you that the subvention that we have
been giving Caroni would be drastically cut. I am hoping that
within two to three years, if there is any subvention to Caroni
it would tens of millions and not hundreds of millions," he said.
Rahael statements were made after meeting with the Caroni Board
and the Divestment Secretariat on Tuesday.
CONTACT: Caroni Limited
Old Southern Main Road, Caroni,
Trinidad & Tobago
Phone: (868) 663-1781 or 662-0879
Fax: (868) 663-1404
L A T I N A M E R I C A
Friday, January 10, 2003, Vol. 4, Issue 7
http://bankrupt.com/TCRLA_Public/030110.mbx
CARONI LTD: Board Worried Over Union Threats To Disrupt Crop
------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of state sugar companies is concerned about the "pace
and timing of the transformation" of Caroni as the All Trinidad
Sugar and General Workers Trade Union threatens to disrupt sugar
production this year, said Caroni chairman Dr Kusha Haracksingh.
A report by the Trinidad Guardian reveals that the union has been
asking for the resolution of issues concerning the NIS and
pension benefits. But Agriculture Minister John said the Cabinet
is not likely to approve an increase in the US$637 million the
government had allotted for the VESP, the workers' pension plan.
Rahael explained that some areas of the restructuring plan are
not negotiable, disregarding the threats issued by union
president general Rudy Indarsingh. Earlier reports indicated that
Mr. Indarsingh complained about the unions on matters concerning
plans made for the Company.
Prime Minister Patrick Manning countered Indarsingh's statement
saying, the unions involved will be consulted once the voluntary
separation plan is finalized and approved by the Cabinet.
CONTACT: All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers' Trade Union
Rienzi Complex
Exchange Village
Southern Main Road, Couva.
President: Mr. Boysie Moore-Jones
General Secretary: Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh
Tel. 868-636-2354
Fax. 868-636-3372
E-mail: atsgwtu@opus.co.tt
CARONI LTD: Government May Provide Over $1B Subsidies This Year
---------------------------------------------------------------
Trinidad and Tobago state sugar company may get more than US$1
billion this year from the government. A report by the Trinidad
Guardian reveals that the government would offer an individual
enhanced VESP totaling US$637 million to 9,000 Caroni workers.
The government would make the offer on February 15, the report
adds.
Aside from that the country's Agriculture Minister John Rahael
said Caroni may receive US$400 million in subsidies from the
government this year. That, combined with the VESP, adds up to
more than US$1 billion dollars.
However, this would not be the case next year as Rahael predicts
the subsidy next year to be US$200 million at most, with less and
less assistance for the years thereafter.
"In 2004, I would assure you that the subvention that we have
been giving Caroni would be drastically cut. I am hoping that
within two to three years, if there is any subvention to Caroni
it would tens of millions and not hundreds of millions," he said.
Rahael statements were made after meeting with the Caroni Board
and the Divestment Secretariat on Tuesday.
CONTACT: Caroni Limited
Old Southern Main Road, Caroni,
Trinidad & Tobago
Phone: (868) 663-1781 or 662-0879
Fax: (868) 663-1404
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