The All Trinidad General Workers’ Trade Union has paid tribute to the legacy of former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, who passed away on Monday.

Mr Panday was a past President General of the Union, serving from 1973 until his appointment as Prime Minister in 1995.

In a statement, current President General Nirvan Maharaj says while there were issues in the recent past with Mr. Panday regarding to the use of space at Rienzi Complex, those were purely professional.

He also insisted that it had nothing to do with their personal feelings, love, admiration and respect for the immense and insurmountable contribution that Mr. Panday made to the social, political, legal and labour structures of T&T.

Mr Maharaj believes Mr. Panday’s struggles in labour and the political realm broke the psychological chains that kept many descendants of former Indentures in mental bondage always believing themselves to be second-class citizens.

He adds that Mr Panday has always been an advocate for T&T, with the UNC created to work for a society based upon the principles of unity, equity, justice, and fair play for all.