debut: 2/16/17
39,720 runs
Union leader ask PM to rescind Rowley’s $1M pension
The Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) returned to Fyzabad yesterday with Ancel Roget declaring victory in labour’s long struggle to remove the People’s National Movement (PNM) from government. Standing on the JTUM platform at Charlie King Junction, the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) President General called on the new administration to now claw back the 47 per cent salary increase granted to former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, which allows him to receive a $1 million pension.It was more than just another rally. It was a statement. Union members waved cocoyea brooms in open mockery of the PNM’s election song Sweeping Time. A cricket bat labelled UNC knocked a ball marked PNM, symbolising a clean political dismissal. Bell men, moko jumbies, and flag bearers added Carnival-like energy to a march laced with both satire and seriousness.
On stage, Roget reminded supporters of the long fight to defeat the PNM, which he claimed governed with contempt for workers.
“Whilst they shamelessly gave themselves a 47 per cent salary increase with hefty pension benefits, they imposed on workers the most unjust four per cent over six years, without consolidation of COLA,” he said.
He claimed that under the PNM, thousands of workers were retrenched and forced into financial despair.
“It was nine years of pure hell under the PNM government. That is how much they care,” he declared.
Roget then turned his attention to the cabinet note signed off by Rowley that allowed for his pension and salary increases just before leaving office.
“You see that 47 per cent Rowley gave himself and the increase in pension for Stuart Young, we have to find a way to take that back from them. They did not even work for four per cent, but gave themselves 47 per cent.”
The Government has already tabled legislation called the Prime Minister’s Pension (Amendment) Act which would only allow prime ministers who served a year and up in office to receive pension benefits.
So far the only former prime minister who did not serve a year in office is Stuart Young. He served from March 17 to April 28.
Roget claimed the PNM was still attempting to stymie new governance, accusing some of its appointees on State boards of deliberately stalling the Government’s operations.
The Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) returned to Fyzabad yesterday with Ancel Roget declaring victory in labour’s long struggle to remove the People’s National Movement (PNM) from government. Standing on the JTUM platform at Charlie King Junction, the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) President General called on the new administration to now claw back the 47 per cent salary increase granted to former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, which allows him to receive a $1 million pension.It was more than just another rally. It was a statement. Union members waved cocoyea brooms in open mockery of the PNM’s election song Sweeping Time. A cricket bat labelled UNC knocked a ball marked PNM, symbolising a clean political dismissal. Bell men, moko jumbies, and flag bearers added Carnival-like energy to a march laced with both satire and seriousness.
On stage, Roget reminded supporters of the long fight to defeat the PNM, which he claimed governed with contempt for workers.
“Whilst they shamelessly gave themselves a 47 per cent salary increase with hefty pension benefits, they imposed on workers the most unjust four per cent over six years, without consolidation of COLA,” he said.
He claimed that under the PNM, thousands of workers were retrenched and forced into financial despair.
“It was nine years of pure hell under the PNM government. That is how much they care,” he declared.
Roget then turned his attention to the cabinet note signed off by Rowley that allowed for his pension and salary increases just before leaving office.
“You see that 47 per cent Rowley gave himself and the increase in pension for Stuart Young, we have to find a way to take that back from them. They did not even work for four per cent, but gave themselves 47 per cent.”
The Government has already tabled legislation called the Prime Minister’s Pension (Amendment) Act which would only allow prime ministers who served a year and up in office to receive pension benefits.
So far the only former prime minister who did not serve a year in office is Stuart Young. He served from March 17 to April 28.
Roget claimed the PNM was still attempting to stymie new governance, accusing some of its appointees on State boards of deliberately stalling the Government’s operations.
- edited -
