00:00Michael Anisette tells the Morning Edition there was no engagement with the SWWTU before local seafarers were sent home, despite
00:09their years of service and family obligations.
00:12He says he has already reached out to Works and Transport Minister Jolene John for a meeting,
00:18urging that Trinidad and Tobago seafarers be given the opportunity to work rather than be displaced without consultation or recourse.
00:28Explain to those 27 workers who have families, who have commitment, who have mortgage bills, who have libel, etc.,
00:39that they can be displaced in our territorial waters, in a situation where taxpayers' money is being paid to fund
00:49a vessel at 25 U.S., 25,000 U.S. dollars a day.
00:55You're talking about the blue wave, how many times?
00:57Yes, yes, yes. And our seafarers are displaced.
01:03He is also urging the government to fully implement the Cabotage Law to protect local maritime workers.
01:10These laws protect domestic transportation industries, ensure national security, and maintain safety in territorial waters,
01:19with over 100 countries employing some form of it.
01:23The union leader, who is also the vice chairman of the International Transport Federation,
01:28further describes the treatment of the former Cabotage Law, as a violation of their rights.
01:35It also speaks to a violation of the legitimate expectations of workers in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:51And I think that it undermines the local maritime industry and the development of our skill sets, right?
02:02Because that is what happened.
02:04Anisette adds that rushing to bring a new vessel on stream is no excuse for sidelining qualified local workers.
02:13No government minister or no government could tell me, hey, listen, we have to hustle to get that damn vessel.
02:20So as a consequence of that, we have to bring the crew.
02:23No, no, no, no, no, no.
02:25That don't cut it in the maritime sector.
02:28Why?
02:29Because there is a plethora of rules and regulations that governs when a foreign vessel comes into a local jurisprudence.
02:41Nicole M. Romany, TB6 News.
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