In a media release on Tuesday, the General Secretary of the National Trade Union Center of Trinidad and Tobago (NATUC), Michael Annisette called upon the Chief Medical officer, the Minister of Health and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to give the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago a defined definition for “Covid19 fatalities”. Stating “We as the working class must refuse to live in a continued state of amnesia. Yes, while we cannot control what happens, we can control how we respond. Let us, therefore, take a stand against this madness being perpetrated against government workers”.

   In the release, NATUC pointed out how they found it interesting that “while the government can find money to finance airport runways, road infrastructures, etc. the said government cannot find money to pay salaries or wage increases for the same frontline and essential workers who have been patiently waiting on their increases in wages and salaries since 2013.” Calling it a blatant insensitivity and disregard for the frontline workers. 

  The media release continued on saying that if “the government or private sector is serious about mandatory vaccination, the question of injury and liability acceptance by health care professionals and the government in Trinidad and Tobago, must be accepted on behalf of all workers. The question of voluntary informed consent about the ingredients and quality of evidence in the context of long-term safety and efficacy of the vaccine must also form part of the government’s policy for transparency purposes. Further, there must be a protocol for an injury which could and may arise from the vaccine (injury report) and health care professionals must be mandated to follow this protocol”.

  NATUC is not the first to show their disapproval with the government’s decision as to the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM), the Trinidad and Tobago Registered Nurses Association (TTRNA) and the Public Services Association (PSA) have all voiced their disappointment at the government and what they see as a lack of regard to the working class.