WILLEMSTAD - There were a lot of questions regarding the reason behind the protests organized by the opposition parties backed by the unions. The union leaders were questioned about their motives whether it was political or a really representing the interests of the employees. According to Angelo Meyer of the PWFC union, the fact that Refineria di Kòrsou (RdK) - while offering refinery staff a job and income for the next six months - does not pay bonuses and holiday pay was a "trigger" for the employees.

The government announced to the unions on Sunday that RdK will run the refinery for the next six months - until the Klesch Group takes over the refinery - and the staff will receive its salary. The government and PdVSA had failed to reach an agreement on the duration of the transition period; the government wanted a six-month transition period to allow the new operator to take over the refinery by mid-2020, but PdVSA persisted in a transition period of at least one year.

After the government had communicated the decision to the trade unions, the unions went back to their members to discuss this. The members did not, however, benefit from the decision and tore the government's letter in shreds.

The employees would have liked PdVSA to stay on for another year, but Meyer also stumbled over the fact that they will not receive any holiday pay and bonus under RdK. The fact that the employment bureau Impacto is responsible for registering the Isla employees was also "a trigger" according to the trade unionist.

"We are now awaiting what will happen and continue to talk to the government," said Meyer. "The mandate of our members is clear: they want the government to talk to PdVSA again."

According to the PWFC foreman, the government is withholding information about the transition period with PdVSA on the entire issue, and on Sunday, Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath had actually been called to inform PdVSA about continuing to discuss the possibilities.

“But that is not being announced by the government. The government and RdK withhold information. In conversation with Isla, for example, we understood that Klesch was planning to take over the refinery only in December 2020. RdK then forced him to do this earlier. That was not shared with us, but meanwhile RdK is sticking to its plan with a six-month transition contract.

Meanwhile, after the protest, the unions called on their members to sign the employment termination with PDVSA and to register for work at RdK.