In a dramatic escalation, Nutrien Ltd has initiated a full shutdown of its nitrogen operations at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate, halting production of ammonia and urea. This move comes despite ongoing negotiations with the T&T government over a contentious port fee dispute.
Today Michael Annisette, General Secretary of the Caribbean Congress of Labour and NATUC, describes the move as an "unthought-out action."
00:00Natuk General Secretary Michael Anisat warns that the crippling domino effect on the local economy seems to have been ignored as Nutrien Limited shuts down its ammonia and urea operations.
00:13Effective October 23, 2025, the halt is linked to restricted port access and an unreliable natural gas supply, making continued production economically unviable.
00:26With over 600 workers affected, Anisat says this is worrisome.
00:32That kind of action breeds what I will want to call international reputational damage.
00:39Do we want that for Trinidad and Tobago? And who made that decision?
00:44Did they really put into consideration the real implications for Trinidad and Tobago and also employment and the ancillary industry?
00:57By such, I will want to say an untought out action.
01:03According to the National Energy Corporation, port restrictions were imposed on Nutrien because the company had long benefited from outdated below market rates.
01:12But Natuk General Secretary Michael Anisat tells the morning edition the decision shows little regard for the wider impact on the industrial sector.
01:22There is a mechanism. You can put the amount in a SQ account until we sit down and negotiate and come up with a resolution.
01:31You don't bar the company from entering into your compound or your land as a measure of force in their hands to pay a amount of money that is in dispute.
01:47And I think that is what we have to pay attention to.
01:50In an earlier statement, the Energy Chamber urged a swift resolution to the dispute, emphasizing the need to protect both operations and jobs.
02:01On a separate matter, when asked about the budget presentation and public sector wage negotiations, particularly in relation to the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Union,
02:11Anisat, who is also president of the SWWTU, says he is actively putting measures in place.
02:18We have been exceedingly vociferous to the extent that the industrial relations offense was placed over our heads when workers were taking action.
02:29Don't forget that, for the 12 percent.
02:32And therefore, we have a legal constraint in the context of how we strategically address this particular issue.
02:41But having said that, we have met in emergency session.
02:47The SWWTU's push for a 12 percent wage increase, originally contested by the former PNM government, remains a key issue for port workers.
02:57Anisat says the current UNC administration has indicated support for the adjustment,
03:03highlighting the ongoing tension and importance of resolving long-standing wage disputes in the industrial sector.
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