00:01connect with us on facebook at ccn tv6 trinidad and tobago on x using the handle at tv6 tnt
00:12on instagram hashtag tv6 tnt and via our website www.tv6tnt.com labor movements march is going
00:25ahead after natuk's secretary general michael anisette confirmed that police permission
00:30have been granted following discussions with senior officers over a last minute request to
00:35postpone the protest the labor movement is preparing to take to the streets after the
00:42national trade union center received permission from the commissioner of police to proceed with
00:47its march from memorial park natuk secretary general michael anisette says police officers
00:53contacted him on thursday morning to ask whether the march could be postponed citing concerns about
00:58the resources available following tobago carnival but anisette says the union could not agree to
01:04another change of date after previous postponements arguing that workers were already prepared to
01:10participate it is unfair it is unreasonable it is harsh it is oppressive it is nothing keeping in good
01:18industrial relations or human practices for anybody anybody to think that the union at this 11 tower
01:28can postpone a march for some other time anisette says he subsequently went to the commissioner of
01:34police's office where he was informed that permission had been granted he's now urging workers and members of
01:40the public to turn out in large numbers saying the protest is intended to address issues affecting the
01:46working-class working-class and vulnerable groups but the natuk leader is also pushing back against
01:51suggestions that the labor movement only stages protests when an east indian prime minister is in office
01:58as cited by prime minister kamna pussan besasa the labor movement we have historically challenged any government
02:06government as long as they're doing anything wrong and it has nothing to do with whether they look like me
02:15a strong african right or whether you are an indian prime minister the labor movement don't see race
02:26we don't see ethnicity we represent workers regardless of where they're from anisette says the march is also
02:36intended to highlight outstanding wage negotiations arguing that workers should not still be receiving
02:43salaries based on agreements dating back more than a decade he issued this call to government the government
02:50should call all players who negotiations outstanding and let's meet with the union and let us do a general
03:00discussion to wipe out those negotiations we cannot continue in 2026 to have workers still working on
03:092014 salaries some on 2012 salaries the union leaders also raising concerns about job security pointing to the
03:19retrenchment of 45 nestle workers and the reported decision to bring in a private contractor to
03:26carry out work previously performed by those employees he warns that the situation could signal a wider
03:32trend affecting workers and their livelihoods anisette says the march will also give a voice to retrenched
03:38workers pensioners single parents and citizens struggling with economic pressures and on crime he's challenging
03:44the government to look beyond declining statistics and address the underlying cause of violence crime is not
03:51about a statistic crime is not because you had 500 crimes and it is down to 400 that is solving
04:00crime
04:01the solution to crime is to find is to find the root cause of crime and address it anisette argues
04:10that
04:10meaningful crime reduction requires attention to education social conditions and systems that
04:16prepare young people for employment he's calling on the public to support the march saying collective
04:21action is necessary to demand accountability and meaningful change over sheet to worry rupner
04:26ryan tv6 news prime minister kamala pissar possesses accusing trade unions planning to protest tomorrow of
04:33being motivated by political and racial hatred rather than workers interests she's questioning the union's
04:40decision to protest against her government alongside pnm mps accusing them of remaining silent during
04:47the pnm's 10 years in office she says quote they take this action against the unc government who is 18
04:53months
04:54is already paying them their back pay giving them updated salaries offering them 10 percent increases and passing
05:01labor legislation to protect their membership end quote miss wasabi sessa alleges the protest is driven by political and
05:09racial animosity and is urging citizens to avoid the protest route and port of spain tomorrow warning of possible confrontations
05:22that story takes us to tonight's people meter we ask do you believe that friday's march is politically and
05:30racially motivated to vote text yes or no to the number seven six six four eight eight six or seven
05:36six six four tv6
05:38we'll have the results for you at the end of this newscast
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