Bas sets up labour bureau at Rienzi .

http://guardian.co.tt/beta/news/2010/12/31/bas-sets-labour-bureau-rienzi

Former prime minister Basdeo Panday has established a labour bureau at his foundation at Rienzi Complex, Couva. He said since his Basdeo Panday Foundation was set up two months ago several persons have visited the office complaining about unemployment and difficulty finding jobs. Panday said the bureau would attempt to bring potential employers and the unemployed together through a computerised database.

He is calling on businessmen to inform the foundation of any vacancies they may have. He is also asking the unemployed to register with the foundation if they are looking for a job. Interested persons can contact the Basdeo Panday Foundation at 79-81 Southern Main Road, Exchange Village, Couva. The telephone number is 636-3507 and the e-mail is basdeopandayfoundation@gmail.com.

Government Drops Appeal .

Deyalsingh Caroni Ltd ruling

By Ariti Jankie South Bureau

Story Created: Dec 14, 2010 at 11:53 PM ECT

Story Updated: Dec 14, 2010 at 11:53 PM ECT

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/business/Govt_drops_appeal_-111897069.html

THE People's Partnership administration has withdrawn the appeal of the 2004 judgment of Justice Lennox Deyalsingh delivered in favour of former Caroni (1975) Ltd workers.

The appeal, filed by the former People's National Movement administration, sought to overturn Justice Deyalsingh's ruling that, among other reliefs, the former workers were entitled to land leases.

Agriculture Minister Vasant Bharath made the disclosure on Sunday at the annual Christmas Family Day and Awards Recognition function at the Namdevco Wholesale Farmers' Market at Macoya.

Last week former prime minister Basdeo Panday wrote to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan asking that the State withdraw the appeal.

Bharath was yesterday asked to review the land distribution programme.

"Government must aid the ex-worker and create an enabling environment to heal the wounds caused by the previous administration," research and education officer of the National Foodcrop Farmers Association,

Norris Deonarine, said in an interview yesterday.

Justice Deyalsingh had decided in favour of the former Caroni workers, ordering the PNM government to distribute leases before June 30, 2006.

The PNM administration filed an appeal and Justice Deyalsingh's order was stayed pending the hearing of the appeal.

In a letter to the AG, and on behalf of the ex-workers, Panday said the appeal was made by the PNM government in order to frustrate the workers.

He said that government failed to honour a Voluntary Separation of Employment agreement given to workers as an inducement for the acceptance of VSEP.

"Workers were told that they would be given leases to lands belonging to Caroni for agricultural and residential purposes within a reasonable time," Panday stated.

So far, 4,000 two-acre agricultural leases have been prepared and only 100 leases were ready in the residential lots distribution programme, the Express was told.

Basdeo Panday has written to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.

http://www.103fm.net/the-news/178-dec1

Basdeo Panday has written to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan asking him to withdraw an appeal filed by the previous government regarding Caroni lands.

In the letter, Mr. Panday said the workers were upset after the PNM Government reneged on promises made after the closure of Caroni 1975 Limited. These he said included a promise that they would be given access to lands belonging to the company, and that they would be granted leases within a reasonable time of the acceptance of VSEP packages. Mr Panday said the case was presided over by Justice Lennox Deyalsingh who ruled in favour of the workers. He added however that the PNM Government filed an appeal, which, to this day, is still pending. Mr Panday, in his capacity as President of the Basdeo Panday Foundation, is now calling on the Government to withdraw the appeal, so that workers can enforce the High Court ruling.

Withdraw appeal in sugar workers’ issue .

http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2010/12/02/withdraw-appeal-sugar-workers-issue

Bas calls on AG Ramlogan:

Published: 2 Dec 2010

Former prime minister Basdeo Panday has asked Attorney General Anand Ramlogan to withdraw the appeal of the former PNM government against the decision of Justice Lennox Deyalsingh in favour of former employees of Caroni (1975) Ltd. In a November 30 letter written under the heading of the newly-established Basdeo Panday Foundation, the veteran politician referred to a High Court matter between the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Rights Association and Patrick Manning, then minister of finance and Corporation Sole.

Panday wrote: “In the said action the sugar workers claimed that the Government had reneged on, and/or failed to honour certain promises, assurances and undertakings given to them as an inducement for their acceptance of voluntary separation of employment (VSEP) imposed on them in 2003. “Some of the undertakings given included:
• The promise that they would be given priority in accessing lands belonging to Caroni (1975) Ltd for agricultural and residential use.
• That they they would be granted leases within a reasonable time of the acceptance of such separation of employment with Caroni (1975) Ltd.”

Panday said the Government reneged on the promises and when the matter went to court, Justice Deyalsingh ruled in favour of the workers. He ordered that they be granted their leases on or before June 30, 2006. Panday said in an attempt “to frustrate the rights of the workers,” the PNM government appealed the decision. That appeal is still pending. He told the AG: “The foundation, on behalf of the said workers, now calls upon you and the PP Government to immediately withdraw the said appeal so that the workers could enforce the judgment in their favour.”

Panday writes AG on 2004 'Caroni' appeal .

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Panday_writes_AG_on_2004__Caroni__appeal-111163899.html

By Carolyn Kissoon South Bureau

Story Created: Dec 1, 2010 at 10:49 PM ECT

Story Updated: Dec 1, 2010 at 10:49 PM ECT

Former prime minister Basdeo Panday, who has formed a foundation in his name, has written Attorney General Anand Ramlogan on behalf of former Caroni (1975) Ltd workers.

Panday, out of elected politics after losing leadership of the United National Congress, wants the People's Partnership Government to immediately withdraw an appeal against a decision by Justice Lennox Deyalsingh back in 2004.

The decision was appealed by the former People's National Movement Government.

Panday, who heads the Basdeo Panday Foundation, operating out of an office at Rienzi Complex, wrote: "In the said action, the sugar workers claimed that the Government had reneged on, and/or failed to honour certain promises, assurances and undertakings given to them as an inducement for the acceptance of Voluntary Separation of Employment (VSEP) imposed on them in 2003." It included the promise that sugar workers be given priority to lands belonging to Caroni (1975) Ltd for agricultural and residential use, Panday stated.

Workers were told they would be granted leases within reasonable time of the acceptance of such separation of employment with Caroni (1975) Ltd, Panday stated.

Panday wrote that in November 2003, the then PNM government reneged on the promises.

"The learned judge decided in favour of the former workers of Caroni (1975) Ltd, ruled that they were entitled to a declaration and a mandatory order that the workers be granted their leases on or before 30th June, 2006. In order to frustrate the right of the workers the PNM Government then appealed against the decision of Deyalsingh and that appeal is to this day still pending," the letter read.

Panday starts foundation to help the helpless

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/98582244.html

By Louis B Homer South Bureau

Story Created: Jul 16, 2010 at 1:44 AM ECT

Story Updated: Jul 23, 2010 at 2:36 AM ECT

Basdeo Panday, former leader of the United National Congress (UNC), has set up a foundation in his name—The Basdeo Panday Foundation.

He said the objective is to pursue non-electoral politics without being in Parliament.

"The fact that I am not in Parliament does not mean I will give up the struggle for the oppressed and helpless people in the community," he said yesterday.

His first order of business was to write to Finance Minister Winston Dookeran asking if he intends giving Hindu Credit Union (HCU) investors the same bail-out treatment as financially troubled Clico.

Panday told Dookeran in the letter about an alleged election campaign promise to depositors and investors of the HCU "that should the People's Partnership form the government a bail-out similar to Clico will be offered to them". Panday said, "since the formation of the PP government I have been inundated with several requests from numerous persons who have suffered from the collapse of the HCU."

"Will the government keep its promise?" Panday asked. In the run-up to the May 24 polls, the Hindu Credit Union.

Panday takes on new battle

...starts foundation to fight for rights of the people

Anika GUMBS-SANDIFORD

Published: 28 Nov 2010

http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2010/11/28/panday-takes-new-battle

Dethroned from political office, Basdeo Panday is set and ready to take on a new battle. Unfazed by the changes that have followed his political career, the former United National Congress (UNC) political leader Basdeo Panday is vowing not to give up the struggle to improve the lives of citizens. His newest initiative is the launch of the Basdeo Panday Foundation.

It is a non-governmental organisation geared to protecting the rights of citizens, ensuring they are treated fairly by the Government. “My fight is to ensure people get what they are entitled to. I do not want anything from any Government,” he said. Speaking with Sunday Guardian at Rienzi Complex, Couva last week, where the foundation has been set up, Panday said his removal from political office has not deterred him from serving citizens.Proof of his new venture was evident during the interview as he was interrupted with phone calls from people seeking assistance or redress in certain matters.

It’s a move that may even take him to the walls of the courtroom if the situation arises, and Panday boasts of his readiness to don his legal gown. In fact, he is about to resume his career as an attorney with a practice.The objective of the foundation, he said, is to improve the lives of people. “Anybody, anywhere, of any political party, race, colour or creed, no matter who you are you can come to this office. I would try to help the best I can, having regard to the position I am in.

The fight is free

!“My political work continues just not in the corridors of Parliament but outside,” the 77-year-old Panday said with a quizzical look on his face.

Committed to fighting for the people

Insisting he has absolutely no interest in throwing his hat back into the political ring, Panday said as a former prime minister he felt he had a role or duty to serve the people.The jury is out on whether his foundation would be seen as a force to be reckoned with against the Government, but one thing is certain—the former leader is bent on not giving up.“I have no interest in ever holding the office of Prime Minister again. Politics has more than one dimension.

People think electoral politics has only one dimension and that is not true. I have no interest in electoral politics anymore but I will certainly carry on my political struggle out of Parliament. I probably would be stronger outside of Parliament than in.“Politics for me has also been a struggle to improve the quality of life for people. That was my greatest achievement when I was a trade unionist.

Over 100,000 persons came out of grinding poverty in the sugar industry. That was an enormous achievement for me and I am happy for that,” the former leader recalled, as he reminisced briefly on his public life.And, while Panday is bent on spending his energies fighting for causes he deems unjust, he is also using the opportunity to catch up on things he failed to pursue while in office. “I love reading. I have read so many books that I have lost count. I am also busy on the harmonium and learning different songs. When I was in school I did not like science subjects and would you believe I have developed a yearning to learn chemistry and physics now. I am very, very busy.”

People’s Partnership yet to impress

Refraining from commenting on political issues, Panday, however, said he was lost for words over how the party he fought to build had now become non-existent. “The UNC no longer exists in its form, it is there but the spirit gone. Its fight, commitment and willpower have gone. The UNC is non-existent. I thought when the People’s National Movement (PNM) went out of office there would have been changes, unfortunately I am still waiting for that change.

I have seen a lot of bad habits of the PNM being adopted. For, instance I am seeing where they continue to blame the PNM for everything; that is why people voted them out of office.
“Blaming the PNM does not solve anything. I am waiting for action, and quite frankly I am not seeing any. I do not mean to be critical but I am yet to see the change. I do not see any attempt to solve the problems for the people. I just do not see the tenacity,” Panday ended.

Panday launches foundation to help poor .

Gail Alexander
From : http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2010/11/26/panday-launches-foundation-help-poor

Published: 26 Nov 2010

Former prime minister Basdeo Panday has launched the Basdeo Panday Foundation to assist the poor and those who fail to make contact with the authorities. Speaking from Rienzi Complex where the foundation is located, Panday said yesterday: “The foundation was launched last week and registered. I intend to spend the rest of my life continuing the work I have done for 40 years, trying to take up the problems of those who cannot afford to resolve their problems, especially since many of them have come to me saying they cannot get in touch with their MPs anymore.

“People have told me they (MPs) no longer answer their phones and they do not come to constituency offices anymore.” Panday said he would be assisting with whatever problems people had, including lack of water and lights. Asked how he would be able to help if he was not in Government, Panday said: “I’ll write to those responsible on the issue. I understand you cannot get ministers on the phones — I was the only one who has always answered his own phone, so my constituency now is the whole of T&T.”

Contact information for the Basdeo Panday Foundation

Blog : http://basdeopandayfoundation.blogspot.com
Email : basdeopandayfoundation@gmail.com
Phone : 1-868-636-3507

Radio Interview on 90.5 fm from 8pm to 10pm

Former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday will have a Radio Interview on 90.5 fm from 8pm to 10pm on Thursday 2nd December 2010 . Interviewers will be Sadro Mohammed and Anthony Maharaj .

http://www.radio90fm.com/