Former workers of Caroni (1975) Ltd are in agony at the lengthy delay in having their matters determined at the High Court and Court of Appeal. Seven years have lapsed since VSEP and they are yet to have closure on their termination packages. Matters concerning the VSEP housing plots and agricultural leases are still before the court. It is important that the High Court makes its ruling in the case where the State is forcing workers to pay $30,000 for the housing plot that is supposed to be part of their VSEP benefit. Despite the fact that these monies have been paid under duress, not one single lot has been distributed.
While some of the agricultural plots have been given out, there are no access roads to any infrastructure to facilitate agriculture. Cane is still growing on these lands and there is no indication that Caroni would clear the fields. The Court of Appeal also has a matter pertaining to the monthly staff on a breach of contract by Caroni in enforcing a salary reclassification plan going back to 1999. The Appeal Court also is still to determine an appeal by the State that is blocking a judgment on the VSEP lands.
If this is the way the local judiciary is conducting its business, could you imagine the chaos that would occur if it were to replace the Privy Council? God forbid! Even the Government seems to have gone silent despite all he promises to "undo the evil deeds" of the last government. Caroni workers have tremendous confidence in getting justice from the Privy Council but the local courts are frustrating the process.
Winston H Ramdhani
Couv