THIRTEEN trade unions are calling for dialogue with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar over the 15 no-protest zones established under an Emergency Powers Regulations order, saying their members are hurting.The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA), along with 12 other unions, hand delivered a letter to the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday morning shortly before 11 a.m.
Speaking to reporters opposite the Office of the Prime Minister, TTUTA president Crystal Ashe said the group is not seeking confrontation with the Government but is instead requesting dialogue.“The letter seeks to get an audience with the honourable Prime Minister so that we can find some sort of common ground, some sort of solution to this particular situation in relation to Legal Notice No 40 of 2026, which identified 15 areas where trade unions or any other persons cannot protest within at least 500 metres of those identified areas,” Ashe said.No-protest zones have been established, effectively preventing public demonstrations within 500 metres of 15 key State institutions, including the Red House, the airports in Trinidad and in Tobago, the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), as well as all police stations across the country.The restrictions come under Legal Notice No 40 signed by Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro on May 27. The Order was signed the same day supporters of Kaia Sealy held a protest near the DPP’s office in Port of Spain before being moved by police.Responding to questions about the next step, Ashe said he believed Persad-Bissessar “will do the right thing”, and he was not concerned that the letter would be ignored.He said all the unions involved would meet to determine the way forward, but stressed they could not divulge their exact strategy.Addressing the absence of the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM), Ashe said there was no issue, adding: “The leadership of JTUM being absent today, we really can’t speak to that...but we are onboard, this thirteen here, we are here. There is no shift, rift, there is no division.”According to Ashe, those present were there to “articulate something”.“If other persons are not here, we can’t wait for them. We have to do what is necessary because our members are hurting, people need their voices to be heard,” he said.He stressed that this was what the trade union movement was built upon.‘We are not attackingthe Government’Pointing to the rights and freedoms citizens are accustomed to, Ashe described the requirement to remain 500 metres away from key institutions as ridiculous.“So, every time we go somewhere, we have to walk with a measuring tape? That is ridiculous. We are Trinidad and Tobago. We are a democracy.”He questioned why a government would want to take away that right from citizens.“We are not attacking the Government, let us be clear. We said it on multiple occasions, yet some people have what you call selective hearing and selective memory. We are in no way trying to fight the Government. We are in agreement with whatever measures were put in place to maintain the safety of the citizenry of Trinidad and Tobago.”However, he argued that this “particular move” was not the best course of action.“We don’t believe it was the best move, we don’t believe it was the most well thought out because there was no dialogue, no communication.”Ashe said in the absence of communication, decisions are sometimes made without sufficient consultation.Stating that the unions are hoping for a middle ground, he said: “Madam Prime Minister, you have the ability to treat with this matter. Allow us to meet. Show us you are the Prime Minister that everybody knows you to be. Let us meet as leaders of trade unions... show that you are willing to meet with us and let us find a solution.”In a subsequent news release, Ashe stated that the 13 participating unions are deeply concerned about the implications of the Legal Notice.“The trade union movement views this development as a direct attempt to restrict and weaken the ability of workers and their representative organisations to exercise their democratic right to peaceful protest and public demonstration,” the release stated.Ashe said the invitation remains one of genuine dialogue.“We remain hopeful that constructive discussions will take place in the spirit of cooperation, respect and partnership that has traditionally characterised industrial relations in Trinidad and Tobago. Such an approach would be consistent with the customs, practices and democratic traditions of our beautiful twin island Republic. “The trade union movement stands ready to engage in respectful dialogue and looks forward to a positive response from the Office of the Prime Minister,” he said.
