TUC protests against the arrests of trade unionists in Trinidad and Tobago.

Dear High Commissioner

Arrests and assaults of trade unionists

On behalf of the TUC General Council, I write to express our deep concern over the arrests of, and assaults on, trade unionists outside the Red House in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on 18 December 2009.

Our information is that Mr David Abdullah, General Secretary of the Oil Field Workers' Union (OFWU), and leader of the Federation of the Independent Trade Unions and NGOs (FITUN) and his colleagues were arrested and assaulted by the police during a peaceful protest against the implementation of the Property Tax. We have also learnt that he was later released on bail and will face charges of 'obstruction of free passageway.'

Your country which ratified the ILO Convention 87 on the Freedom of Association (1963) and ILO Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1963) has an obligation to uphold the rights and entitlements enshrined in them. Moreover, it is incumbent upon your Government, in its capacity as current Chair of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), to fully adhere to the key values and principles that bind the members of the Commonwealth together.

I urge you to use your influence with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to ensure that the charges against Mr Abdullah are dropped and that all citizens are allowed the free exercise of their democratic rights without interference from the State.

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary