Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has criticised the former administration’s 2018 decision to shut down the Petrotrin refinery, accusing it of undermining organised labour.

Speaking on the eve of Labour Day, as the Government passed the Miscellaneous Provisions (Amendment) Bill 2026 aimed at strengthening workers’ rights, she also assured that her administration will continue to protect workers.

During debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Heritage Petroleum, Paria Fuel Trading and Guaracara Refining Vesting) (Amendment) Bill 2026, Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar argued that the Petrotrin refinery’s closure disrupted collective bargaining and weakened labour protections.