The Federation of Independent Trade Unions (Fitun) has condemned the claims of victory and vindication made by both Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar and Attorney General Anand Ramlogan after last Friday's High Court ruling in the challenge against the repeal of Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Offences) Act.Justice Mira Dean-Armorer dismissed a lawsuit brought by businessmen Steve Ferguson and Ameer Edoo and insurance company Maritime Life (Caribbean) Limited.
At a news conference held at the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union headquarters, San Fernando, OWTU president Ancel Roget said the claims of victory are absurd."We think that it is highly hypocritical for the Government to now come and claim victory for a situation they caused," he said."The reason for why we are here should be placed squarely on the shoulders and feet of the PM and the AG."
Roget said it was only because there were "some 40,000 citizens on the streets of Port-of-Spain calling for justice, when that proclamation was made, they (the Government) went hastily and repealed Section 34."The OWTU leader said if there is any victory to be claimed, "it is a victory for civil society and the people of T&T that caused them to do that in the first place."That sentiment was echoed by Fitun president Joseph Remy and BIGWU president Vincent Cabrera.
Cabrera recalled that as the matter unfolded in the Parliament, the Prime Minister spoke about people who misled the House, which resulted in a government minister being fired."So how can you come to the people and say you have been vindicated. The only vindication is when a national election is called," Cabrera said.
Roget cautioned, however, that the matter is far from over.He said: "We note that matter is far from over. The Prime Minister has to answer why it is we have to defend in the courts of T&T and possibly, at the Privy Council, on an issue like that."He said the PM must say why the section had to be repealed in the first place and the reason for its early proclamation.
"Why you pulled down Section 34, to benefit who?" he asked."We will continue to agitate and mobilise around that. They must not get away with that. There is a heavy political price to pay for that and we must ensure that they pay."