00:0013 trade unions are calling for direct talks with Prime Minister Kamala Besson-Bissassa over state of emergency regulations that
00:09prohibit protests within 500 meters of 15 designated locations across the country.
00:16The unions delivered a letter requesting an audience with the Prime Minister expressing concern that the restrictions could significantly limit
00:24citizens' ability to demonstrate.
00:27Because we know the Honorable Prime Minister will do the right thing. But as you said, if it does happen,
00:31we will get together. It will not be a unilateral decision. It is not a tutors decision alone. All the
00:37independent unions who are here, we will get together and we will determine the way forward. We cannot divulge that
00:42to you at this point in time because when you're doing little, you can't let everybody know your business.
00:46Leading the delegation was Tutor President Crystal Ash, who argued that while trade unions respect the law, the regulations are
00:54difficult to navigate and raise concerns about democratic freedoms.
00:59We have to work with emergency. Every time we have to work with emergency. That's ridiculous, man. That's ridiculous. This
01:06is Trinidad and Tobago. We are a democracy. We are customs of rights and freedoms.
01:11And why would our government want to take those rights away from us? We're not attacking the government.
01:16Ash said the measure was not well thought out and criticized what he described as the absence of dialogue before
01:23the regulations were introduced.
01:25We are willing. Let us get together. Let's discuss. Let us see if we can find a compromise, a middle
01:29ground. Madam Prime Minister, you have the ability to treat you this matter. Allow us to meet. Show us that
01:35you are the Prime Minister that everybody knows you to be.
01:38Ironically, the unions had initially planned to deliver their correspondence to the office of the Prime Minister.
01:44However, that building falls within one of the newly designated restricted zones.
01:49The group instead delivered its letter to Whitehall, where it is hoping the request for a meeting will be received
01:56and considered.
01:58Questions were also raised about the absence of the joint trade union movement, which had joined the coalition's call for
02:05action just one week ago.
02:07The leadership of JATAM being absent today, we really can't speak to that. That is a fact.
02:12The leadership would decide to not be here. But we are on board. We, this 13 of us, we are
02:18here. There is no shift. There is no rift. There is no division.
02:21The issue has attracted attention, given JATAM's strategic political alliance with the United National Congress during the 2025 general election
02:30campaign.
02:31The unions say they are awaiting a response from the Prime Minister and will determine their next steps following any
02:39discussions.
02:39Arvashi Tawari, Rabnarain, TV6 News.
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