Thursday, February 28 2013

The Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) and state-owned oil company Petrotrin yesterday signed off on six collective agreements for workers to gain a nine percent salary increase between 2008-2011 and 2009-2012.

The agreement took place a little over one year ago during a wage dispute that threatened to escalate into strike action. The agreement came at a marathon meeting at the San Fernando office of the Labour Ministry.

According to a Petrotrin media release yesterday, increased benefits for workers include the consolidation of cost of living allowance (COLA). A one percent increase after the consolidation was allocated in the first year, two percent in the second year and six percent in the third year to the basic salaries of approximately 5,000 Petrotrin workers. Also a ten percent increase in all allowances was awarded in all six agreements, while provisions were made for the inclusion of a vacation travel grant for hourly/weekly paid workers and leave for union business was added to most agreements.

At the signing ceremony was Pretrotrin President Khalid Hassanali and OWTU President General Ancel Roget.

Roget in his remarks said signing the agreement must be followed by implementation and efficient and proper management. He said employees must receive opportunities for growth and development in order for the company to be successful.

Hassanali noted that the signing took place during celebrations of Petrotrin’s 20th anniversary.