Kamla accuses unions of political and racial bias ahead of protest

PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has accused sections of the trade union movement of being politically motivated and harbouring racial animosity towards the UNC Government, as she urged citizens to avoid the route of today's planned labour march in Port of Spain.

In a lengthy Facebook post yesterday, Persad-Bissessar criticised unions participating in the demonstration, accusing them of failing to protest against the former People's National Movement (PNM) administration during its ten years in office, when workers were awaiting salary increases and outstanding backpay.

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She claimed that the unions were now protesting against a UNC Government which, in 18 months, had begun paying outstanding backpay, updating salaries, offering 10 per cent increases and passing legislation aimed at protecting workers.