The recent closure of Trinidad and Tobago Newsday has left dozens of media workers unemployed, raising concerns about severance, benefits, and emotional wellbeing.
President of the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT), Prior Beharry, is calling for all affected workers to be fairly compensated.
Speaking exclusively to TTT News on Wednesday, Mr. Beharry confirmed that approximately 60 employees have been affected following the closure of the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. He is lobbying for compensation and counselling for all affected employees.
“I think they need some counselling. I think that is something that should be offered to them. And you know, that is one of the important issues, because one minute, one day, you have a job, and the next day, you know, some of these employees are the breadwinners in their family so it’s something that we have to look at, and we have to ask again. All we can do is ask the owners of Newsday to ensure that these workers are properly compensated in some form or fashion.”
Mr. Beharry also raised concerns over Newsday’s failure to compensate former employees who were wrongfully dismissed.
“There have been some industrial matters, you know, people, former employees, who were dismissed before the Industrial Court and those matters were in the favour of some of the employees and they were supposed to be compensated. And we are also calling on the owners of Newsday to see what can be done to help these people.”
The MATT President assured that the Association will do its best to assist all affected employees during their transition period.
“But we have been in touch with many of the workers and they have expressed their concern and they have expressed a lot of frustration. So right now we are thinking of seeing what we can do for them. But we are very much constrained within the constitution of MATT, but at the same time, we hope to see what we can do for them.”
The Trinidad and Tobago Newsday wrapped up its operations on Tuesday after 32 years.