Ramesh tells sugar workers he'll get back their money

Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj is standing up for former sugar workers and intends to challenge the government for telling the former Caroni (1975) employees they have to pay for lands.

The government has sent out 1,500 "Letters of Offer" asking recipients to pay the sum of $20,000 to $30,000 within 90 days. Many of the former workers don't have the funds to meet the requirement.

The former attorney general, who is running for the leadership of the United National Congress (UNC), told supporters this week he will demand that the government repay the $30,000 fee paid for building lots given as part of their Voluntary Separation of Employment Package (VSEP).

Maharaj said the VSEP accepted by former Caroni workers gave priority access to two acres of agricultural lands and a residential lot.

And he pointed out that "at no place in any of the documents was there any mention of sugar workers paying a price for the land."

"I am advising sugar workers to pay their monies without prejudice to their rights and I would file a public interest litigation on their behalf to get back the monies plus interest and also get a monetary compensation for the loss they have suffered," he said.

Maharaj and his Trinidad and Tobago Civil Rights Association filed a lawsuit in 2007, complaining that Government had reneged on agreement to give the ex-workers priority access to the lands.

Justice Lennox Deyalsingh ordered Government to honour the agreement and had set June 2008 as a deadline for the state to distribute leases to the land.

So far the government has distributed only 545 leases for two-acre agricultural plots. Those who got the land must pay an annual rental $400.