From The Rio Times · Ana Clara Santos · · 1m 30s
Trinidad Power Workers Get Back Pay
Trinidad power workers receive overdue overtime pay starting December 15.
In brief
Trinidad power workers receive overdue overtime pay starting December 15. Trinidad and Tobago power workers get TT$15 million in overdue overtime pay from December 15, 2026, resolving a decade-long dispute. Originally reported by The Rio Times.
Payment Announcement
Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath announced power workers will receive overdue overtime pay starting December 15, 2026.
Payment Amount
The payment is TT$15 million (US$2.2 million) for overtime worked from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2025.
Payment Schedule
Active workers receive two installments: December 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027.
Why It Matters
The state utility keeps lights on for homes, hotels and factories, so this payment resolves a decade-old labor dispute.
Estate Police Payment
Estate police officers at the utility are proposed to be paid on January 15 and February 15, 2027, pending approvals.
Union Response
OWTU First Vice-President Sati Gajadhar-Inniss said talks with T&TEC management are continuing and money should be paid before year-end.
Previous Disputes
The Industrial Court awarded no wage increases for 2015 to 2017 in February 2022, but the Court of Appeal overturned this ruling in February 2025.
Government Action
The government has reduced T&TEC connection requests from 5,000 to fewer than 300 and plans to speed up streetlight upgrades.
What It Means
The payment is small for US investors but resolves a long-running labor dispute at a critical service.
What's Still Open
Estate police payments need approvals, and several bargaining periods remain unresolved through 2026.
The bottom line
Trinidad and Tobago power workers get TT$15 million in overdue overtime pay from December 15, 2026, resolving a decade-long dispute.
