LINK : http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,209049.html
By Richardson Dhalai Tuesday, March 31 2015
TWO days after former sugar workers and their families marched through the streets of Couva on Friday, Trade, Industry, Investment and Communications Minister Vasant Bharath assured them that lands were being made available for them.
In a statement, Bharath said all former workers could feel “confident” that they would receive the lands which had formed part of the Caroni VSEP package by the middle of 2015.
“It was a promise made by the Prime Minister and as with other commitments, it is a promise that will be kept,” Bharath stated, adding, “In fact, we would recall that one of the first acts of the government was to withdraw the appeal to the Privy Council of the Justice Lennox Deyalsingh ruling.”
Bharath pointed out that the Privy Council appeal, which had been made by the previous PNM administration had “effectively stalled the process” and it was only when Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had instructed the Attorney General to withdraw the appeal that government was able to move forward on the land distribution process.
“In addition, the previous administration levied charges of $20,000, $25,000, and $30,000 on the lands before the former workers could take ownership,” he stated, adding, “this government revoked those charges because they were unjust and we ensured that whatever sums were paid were refunded to the former workers.”
Bharath also pointed out that new terms had also been introduced to allow easy transferability of the lands from the ex-Caroni workers to their children or should they decide to sell the lands.
“To be clear, through the Ministry of Land and Marine Affairs, there are 12,387 available lots on 30 sites with 8,855 lots allocated to the former Caroni workers. The remaining 3,532 lots are being used for other land distribution,” Bharath stated.
“So there has been absolutely no attempt to alter or adjust the allocations that are being made to ex-Caroni workers. And all outstanding lots which are at various stages of the execution process will be delivered before the middle of 2015,” he stated.
But All Trinidad General Workers Trade Union president general Nirvan Maharaj says the issue must be resolved since former sugar workers have waited over 11 years for what was offered to them as part of their Voluntary Separation Employment Programme packages.
“There has to be meaningful action or meaningful dialogue to have this matter resolved,” Maharaj said. He added that the union was willing to work with the Prime Minister and the Government.
“But it must be resolved because it is a shame that going onto five years since this government came into power, this issue is still outstanding,” he said.
Tuesday, 31 March 2015
Bharath: Ex-Caroni workers will get their lands
link : http://www.news.gov.tt/content/bharath-ex-caroni-workers-will-get-their-lands#.VU06qfnYXI0
March 31, 2015: EX-CARONI workers can feel confident that they will receive all the lands promised to them under the Voluntary Separation of Employment Package (VSEP) which was offered before Caroni (1975) Limited was shut down by the previous Government.
The assurance comes from Trade, Industry, Investment and Communication Minister, Vasant Bharath, in a release issued Sunday 29th March 2015.
“All former workers can feel confident that they will receive their lands which formed part of the Caroni VSEP package. It was a promise made by the Prime Minister and as with other commitments, it is a promise that will be kept.”
The Minister stated: “In fact we would recall that one of the first acts of the Government was to withdraw the appeal to the Privy Council of the Justice Lennox Deyalsingh ruling. This appeal was made by the previous administration and effectively stalled the process. It was when Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar instructed her Attorney General to withdraw the appeal that we were able to move forward to the distribution process for the lands.”
“In addition, the previous administration levied charges of $20,000, $25,000 and $30,000 on the lands before the former workers could take ownership. This Government revoked those charges because they were unjust, and we ensured that whatever sums were paid were refunded to the former workers.”
Minister Bharath added: “Further, to ensure that the ex-Caroni employees could get the maximum benefit of land assets, we introduced new terms that made the lands transferable, if the former workers decided to sell the lands, or pass them on to their children. Previously, they were restricted for using the lands for these purposes.”
Giving further details of the process, the Minister stated: “To be clear, through the Ministry of Land and Marine Affairs, there are 12,387 available lots, on 30 sites with 8,855 lots allocated to the former Caroni workers. The remaining 3532 lots are being used for other land distribution programs.”
“So there has been absolutely no attempt to alter or adjust the allocations that are being made to ex-Caroni workers. And all outstanding lots which are at various stages of the execution process will be delivered before the middle of 2015.”
The Minister also assured: “The Government continues to hold to its hallmark as being among the most worker-friendly administrations in our history. In the case of Caroni lands, we appreciate how important it is to former workers of Caroni Limited because the future of thousands of their families depends on this promise being kept. And we will keep that promise.”
March 31, 2015: EX-CARONI workers can feel confident that they will receive all the lands promised to them under the Voluntary Separation of Employment Package (VSEP) which was offered before Caroni (1975) Limited was shut down by the previous Government.
The assurance comes from Trade, Industry, Investment and Communication Minister, Vasant Bharath, in a release issued Sunday 29th March 2015.
“All former workers can feel confident that they will receive their lands which formed part of the Caroni VSEP package. It was a promise made by the Prime Minister and as with other commitments, it is a promise that will be kept.”
The Minister stated: “In fact we would recall that one of the first acts of the Government was to withdraw the appeal to the Privy Council of the Justice Lennox Deyalsingh ruling. This appeal was made by the previous administration and effectively stalled the process. It was when Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar instructed her Attorney General to withdraw the appeal that we were able to move forward to the distribution process for the lands.”
“In addition, the previous administration levied charges of $20,000, $25,000 and $30,000 on the lands before the former workers could take ownership. This Government revoked those charges because they were unjust, and we ensured that whatever sums were paid were refunded to the former workers.”
Minister Bharath added: “Further, to ensure that the ex-Caroni employees could get the maximum benefit of land assets, we introduced new terms that made the lands transferable, if the former workers decided to sell the lands, or pass them on to their children. Previously, they were restricted for using the lands for these purposes.”
Giving further details of the process, the Minister stated: “To be clear, through the Ministry of Land and Marine Affairs, there are 12,387 available lots, on 30 sites with 8,855 lots allocated to the former Caroni workers. The remaining 3532 lots are being used for other land distribution programs.”
“So there has been absolutely no attempt to alter or adjust the allocations that are being made to ex-Caroni workers. And all outstanding lots which are at various stages of the execution process will be delivered before the middle of 2015.”
The Minister also assured: “The Government continues to hold to its hallmark as being among the most worker-friendly administrations in our history. In the case of Caroni lands, we appreciate how important it is to former workers of Caroni Limited because the future of thousands of their families depends on this promise being kept. And we will keep that promise.”
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Cabinet approves land for 4,400 ex-Caroni workers
LINK : http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Cabinet-approves-land-for-4400-ex-Caroni-workers-297733751.html
By Anna Ramdass
Story Created: Mar 26, 2015 at 9:16 PM ECT
Story Updated: Mar 26, 2015 at 9:16 PM ECT
Cabinet yesterday approved lands for some 4,400 Caroni 1975 Ltd sugar cane workers, Minister of Lands Jairam Seemungal said.
He was speaking at the Post Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair.
He said a total of 11,553 acres of land was approved.
He said the lands will be distributed in different areas including Toco, Gandhi Village, Hermitage, Rio Claro, Barrackpore, Corinth etc,
He said a three-phase programme was undertaken where there was the collection and variation of tenancy data and the development of spatial and tenancy database.
Phase two involved the processing and delivery of standard agriculture leases to legitimate tenants by the Commissioner of State lands and then the processing and delivery of standards agriculture leases to squatters who were cultivating sugar cane on former lands of Caroni 1975.
He said at the conclusion of the exercise, the Commissioner of State lands determined that the 4,400 farmers were all tenants and beneficiaries of Government policy.
Seemungal said the project will continue over the next three to four years as the lands are being surveyed and before leases issued the direct of land and survey needs to sign off on survey plans.
The minister noted that following the closure of Caroni, the European Union allocated funds $440 million to assist farmers who would have been disenfranchised.
He said a new note will be brought to Cabinet for the utilisation of the funds to roll out the programme.
By Anna Ramdass
Story Created: Mar 26, 2015 at 9:16 PM ECT
Story Updated: Mar 26, 2015 at 9:16 PM ECT
Cabinet yesterday approved lands for some 4,400 Caroni 1975 Ltd sugar cane workers, Minister of Lands Jairam Seemungal said.
He was speaking at the Post Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair.
He said a total of 11,553 acres of land was approved.
He said the lands will be distributed in different areas including Toco, Gandhi Village, Hermitage, Rio Claro, Barrackpore, Corinth etc,
He said a three-phase programme was undertaken where there was the collection and variation of tenancy data and the development of spatial and tenancy database.
Phase two involved the processing and delivery of standard agriculture leases to legitimate tenants by the Commissioner of State lands and then the processing and delivery of standards agriculture leases to squatters who were cultivating sugar cane on former lands of Caroni 1975.
He said at the conclusion of the exercise, the Commissioner of State lands determined that the 4,400 farmers were all tenants and beneficiaries of Government policy.
Seemungal said the project will continue over the next three to four years as the lands are being surveyed and before leases issued the direct of land and survey needs to sign off on survey plans.
The minister noted that following the closure of Caroni, the European Union allocated funds $440 million to assist farmers who would have been disenfranchised.
He said a new note will be brought to Cabinet for the utilisation of the funds to roll out the programme.
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Land for Ex-Caroni Workers
Story Updated: Aug 26, 2014 at 9:59 PM ECT
link : http://www.trinidadexpress.com/videos/Land-for-Ex-Caroni-Workers--2254---272812931.html
One thousand ex-Caroni workers will get lands promised to them in what has been a lengthy and tedious process. But it is far from over, as Ministry of Housing and the Environment Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal says, more funds are needed for the land development and therefore, the wait will continue for thousands of other workers.
Friday, 18 July 2014
Tuesday, 15 July 2014
Ex-Caroni workers waiting
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/letters/Ex-Caroni-workers-waiting-267264031.html
There
is a television advertisement, being aired regularly, showing ex-Caroni
workers smiling as they tell of their no-strings-attached ownership of
promised Caroni lands.
What is not being shown is the number of disgruntled workers, very unhappy and angry at not being given their just due. After over four years in power, the People’s Partnership Government has been unable to disburse the promised lands in a timely manner except to a selected few.
The first heady years in power found a new Government rampaging through the political tulips with no regard for fixing promises made by the outgoing People’s National Movement (PNM). The PNM had been regularly blasted about the unfair, ruinous closing of the Caroni sugar estates, the destruction of workers’ lives, the abandonment by the government.
Fast forward to 2014 and many of the very same ex-Caroni workers are still waiting to be compensated, as was promised on the hustings of 2010.
In the main, Caroni workers were the backbone of the Partnership party. It is a painful reality being faced that they have been abandoned after they have willingly given their votes. It is an embarrassment of significant proportions to be now forming a protest march against their own Government.
Lynette Joseph
via e-mail
What is not being shown is the number of disgruntled workers, very unhappy and angry at not being given their just due. After over four years in power, the People’s Partnership Government has been unable to disburse the promised lands in a timely manner except to a selected few.
The first heady years in power found a new Government rampaging through the political tulips with no regard for fixing promises made by the outgoing People’s National Movement (PNM). The PNM had been regularly blasted about the unfair, ruinous closing of the Caroni sugar estates, the destruction of workers’ lives, the abandonment by the government.
Fast forward to 2014 and many of the very same ex-Caroni workers are still waiting to be compensated, as was promised on the hustings of 2010.
In the main, Caroni workers were the backbone of the Partnership party. It is a painful reality being faced that they have been abandoned after they have willingly given their votes. It is an embarrassment of significant proportions to be now forming a protest march against their own Government.
Lynette Joseph
via e-mail
Monday, 14 July 2014
Ex Caroni workers to march in Port-of-Spain
From : http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,197591.html
By LAUREL V WILLIAMS Monday, July 14 2014
HUNDREDS
of ex-Caroni (1975) Limited workers are expected to march into
Port-of-Spain on Friday following which they intend to deliver a letter
to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar demanding that she address
outstanding issues relating to the closure of the company.
President
of the Sugar Boilers Association (SBA) and co-ordinator of the
Ex-Caroni Workers Association, Rakeeb Mohammed, told Newsday that upon
delivering the letter, they are giving her 10 days to respond.
Failure to respond, he added, would result in daily protest action in Port-of-Spain. “We are expecting more than 1,000 people to attend on Friday from 10 am at the Queen’s Park Savannah. We will be walking from the Savannah to the Diplomatic Centre to deliver the letter. We are giving her a 10-day deadline to respond to us. If no response, after that, we will intensify our protests on a daily basis in Port-of-Spain,” Mohammed explained.
The Diplomatic Centre located at La Fantasie Road at St Ann’s is on the same compound of the Prime Minister’s official residence. The march is a collaboration among members of the SBA, the Ex Caroni Workers Association and the All Trinidad General Workers Trade Union (ATGWTU). Mohammed noted that the letter outlines the outstanding issues for the past 11 years of the now defunct Caroni (1975) Limited in which a promised package to workers has not been completed.
He noted that as part of the Voluntary Separation Employment Programme (VSEP) package, Caroni workers were each promised a two acre plot of agriculture land plus a residential lot. “We are demanding that the Prime Minister take immediate action.
Up to today only about 1,900 people received residential plots and about 2,300 received the agricultural plots. They received these leases but with no infrastructural work in place for the agriculture,” Mohammed charged.
He further charged that most of the residential plots given had no supply of electricity, water and sewer. Mohammed explained that the ex-Caroni workers are getting ‘real trouble’ accessing water and electricity. In addition, some recipients of agricultural leases three years ago still do not know where the plots are.
“In 2007/8, a High Court judgement noted that the government of the day should give each Caroni worker a residential plot with all infrastructural works plus a two acre agricultural plot with all infrastructural work,” Mohammed said. This ruling, Mohammed recalled, was appealed by the then ruling Peoples’ National Movement (PNM) government. Mohammed added: “But when the People’s Partnership government took office in 2010, the Prime Minister withdrew that appeal and promised that within 30 days the ex Caroni workers would have been relieved. More than four years have passed and not even 20 percent of the ex-Caroni workers have received their land.” More than 5,000 ex Caroni workers are affected, Mohammed said adding that Government failed to give them the second part of the package.
Failure to respond, he added, would result in daily protest action in Port-of-Spain. “We are expecting more than 1,000 people to attend on Friday from 10 am at the Queen’s Park Savannah. We will be walking from the Savannah to the Diplomatic Centre to deliver the letter. We are giving her a 10-day deadline to respond to us. If no response, after that, we will intensify our protests on a daily basis in Port-of-Spain,” Mohammed explained.
The Diplomatic Centre located at La Fantasie Road at St Ann’s is on the same compound of the Prime Minister’s official residence. The march is a collaboration among members of the SBA, the Ex Caroni Workers Association and the All Trinidad General Workers Trade Union (ATGWTU). Mohammed noted that the letter outlines the outstanding issues for the past 11 years of the now defunct Caroni (1975) Limited in which a promised package to workers has not been completed.
He noted that as part of the Voluntary Separation Employment Programme (VSEP) package, Caroni workers were each promised a two acre plot of agriculture land plus a residential lot. “We are demanding that the Prime Minister take immediate action.
Up to today only about 1,900 people received residential plots and about 2,300 received the agricultural plots. They received these leases but with no infrastructural work in place for the agriculture,” Mohammed charged.
He further charged that most of the residential plots given had no supply of electricity, water and sewer. Mohammed explained that the ex-Caroni workers are getting ‘real trouble’ accessing water and electricity. In addition, some recipients of agricultural leases three years ago still do not know where the plots are.
“In 2007/8, a High Court judgement noted that the government of the day should give each Caroni worker a residential plot with all infrastructural works plus a two acre agricultural plot with all infrastructural work,” Mohammed said. This ruling, Mohammed recalled, was appealed by the then ruling Peoples’ National Movement (PNM) government. Mohammed added: “But when the People’s Partnership government took office in 2010, the Prime Minister withdrew that appeal and promised that within 30 days the ex Caroni workers would have been relieved. More than four years have passed and not even 20 percent of the ex-Caroni workers have received their land.” More than 5,000 ex Caroni workers are affected, Mohammed said adding that Government failed to give them the second part of the package.
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