On Friday a number of groups also commented on the workers’ protest in press releases.The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) said that Government should broaden its investigation to include all projects in which migrants are being used.

The Indo-Trinbago Equality Council called upon Government to appoint immediately independent Commissions of Enquiry to remedy gross violations of human rights against Indian labour as well as investigate labour conditions with other non-nationals.

Political party Congress of the People (COP) held Government responsible for the inhumane treatment of the Chinese workers who are working on State projects in ’slave-like’ conditions. It also called on the Attorney General to review the contractual arrangements that the Government has with these contractors and make sure that laws are enforced and standards maintained.

The Employers’ Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA) said the workers’ living conditions appeared to be in direct contravention of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and perhaps local health and sanitation laws.

ECA also expressed concern that the ’living conditions of these workers could be permitted to exist for such a long time without drawing the attention of the appropriate governmental authorities’. -Julien Neaves