In its bid to stave off what it described as attacks by Government against the labour movement, the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) intends on staging a week of activities to highlight the problems facing the trade union movement.

Union president general Ancil Roget, at a news conference held yesterday in San Fernando, said: ’We are under attack, and there are clandestine attempts to destroy the unions in the country.’

He said the trade unions no longer had faith in politicians or political parties and were left on their own to defend the rights of working people.

Roget said some 20 per cent of the working class were members of trade union movements and their voices must be heard at all times.

From Monday, the OWTU will mount a week of activities to inform its members about the state of the country.

The activities will take place at the union’s Paramount Building, San Fernando headquarters.

Roget said the OWTU does not support recruitment of foreign workers, but the union will continue its struggle to ensure the Chinese workers in Trinidad are treated fairly.

’These workers are being exploited simply because they do not speak English. They are victims of modern slavery,’ said Roget.

Roget said the OWTU was not in support of the proposed Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November.

’We are opposed to the meeting but will make a formal statement in due course,’ said Roget.

Union Week activities end on November 6.