The All Trinidad General Workers’ Trade Union wants the Agriculture Minister to say exactly what the plan is for the future of the Mora Valley Farm in Rio Claro.

Last month, residents in nearby communities complained that buffalypso from the farm were roaming the area.

The union’s President General Nirvan Maharaj claims they also wrote to the Ministry 13 times between 2016 and 2024, calling for a resolution to the outstanding issues at the farm.

These include:

1. Security at the Farm
2. Workers being threatened and attempted robbery at the Farm by external individuals
3. On the Job accidents on the Farm
4. Understaffing, Labour shortage and a lack of resources at the Farm
5. Filling of vacant positions at the Farm
6. Lack of proper personal protection safety equipment
7. Proper Lighting at the Farm
8. Defective tools and equipment at the Farm

Mr Maharaj also accused the Minister and his Ministry of failing to ensure terms & conditions and wage increases from a Collective Agreement signed between Parties on 13th December 2023 are implemented and adhered to.

The Union is calling for immediate intervention by the Government to “ease the suffering of these workers and by so doing also ease the problems faced by the Farming Community at Rio Claro who are also facing the consequences of the Minister’s and by extension his Ministry’s failure to deal with the outstanding issues facing the workers of the Mora Valley Farm.”