Trinidad oil company says not affected by strike

PORT OF SPAIN, May 8 (Reuters) - Trinidad and Tobago's state-owned oil company, Petrotrin, said on Thursday that an "illegal industrial action" by its employees had not resulted in shortages and it would be able to satisfy all contractual commitments.

About 6,000 permanent and contract workers walked off the job on Tuesday, alleging Petrotrin was ignoring health and safety issues, according to the Oilfield Workers Trade Union, which represents the workers.

Petrotrin, which supplies the domestic and Caribbean markets, said the industrial action started last Friday.

"Petrotrin wishes to assure the public that the company is well able to satisfy our contractual commitments for all refined products and to confirm that there are no shortages," the company said in a statement.

Workers also fear a possible reduction of the labor force because of Petrotrin's plans to lease and sell some exploration acreage.

OWTU Vice President Ancil Roget said Petrotrin managers had made repeated promises to deal with outstanding issues, some dating back four years, and employees had become frustrated.

Roget said the workers will not return to work unless management convinces them that they will seriously deal with the grievances.

Petrotrin said in its statement that it was committed to treating each issue affecting employees according to the provisions of collective bargaining agreements. (Reporting by Linda Hutchinson-Jafar; Editing by Jim Loney and Christian Wiessner)