Two of the country’s largest unions have spoken out against the conditions under which some immigrant Chinese nationals are said be living and working in Trinidad and Tobago.

The National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW) and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) yesterday called for an immediate reconciliation of the issue.

NUGFW president general James Lambert said the migrant workers were chosen because they are easier to exploit.

’It is appalling that the workers of Trinidad and Tobago were denied jobs, all in the name of ’getting the job done faster’, but at what cost? It is clear to me that these Chinese workers were brought in to work because the powers-that-be were of the view that they could have been exploited because they were not organised,’ he said.

Head of the CWU, John Julien, demanded Prime Minister Patrick Manning instruct the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT), to cancel contracts that used immigrant labour.

National Security Minister Martin Joseph said yesterday the ministry was examining a request for the cancellation of the work permits of 32 workers who have asked to return home.

Joseph was responding to an allegation by head of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), Devant Maharaj, that deportation orders had been made out for the workers.

In a press release yesterday, which copied Joseph’s letter to Maharaj, the minister said:

’Please note that a request for the cancellation of a number of work permits for several Chinese nationals is now engaging the attention of the Ministry of National Security.

He said the 32 Chinese nationals are in Trinidad and Tobago legally by virtue of work permits.