Trinidad energy sector loses 450 jobs amid gas supply dispute
Proman and Nutrien are cutting hundreds of jobs in Trinidad, but government officials and companies disagree on the real reason.
Layoffs · Source: Trinidad Tribune
What happened
Proman Trinidad retrenched 100 workers at its Point Lisas Industrial Estate. This cuts its local workforce by nine percent. The company used a last in, first out policy for these layoffs. Affected employees will have their final day on November 23, 2026.
At the same time, Canadian fertilizer giant Nutrien is indefinitely shutting down its Trinidad nitrogen operations. This decision puts about 350 jobs at risk. Nutrien says the closure is due to natural gas constraints and uncertainty. The company plans to meet customer demand using its North American plants instead.
Government officials dispute Nutrien's explanation for the shutdown. Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal says the company refused offers for gas supply. He argues the closure is actually about protecting profit margins for shareholders. Meanwhile, dismissed Nutrien workers are seeking legal advice over their severance packages.
By the numbers
- 100 — Workers retrenched by Proman Trinidad
- 9% — Reduction in Proman's local workforce
- 350 — Jobs at risk from Nutrien's indefinite shutdown
- November 23, 2026 — Final day of employment for affected Proman workers
Why it matters
These cuts show what happens when jobs depend heavily on a single raw material or specific market conditions. Workers with highly specialized skills in the energy sector now face a tough local job market. When companies can easily shift production to other regions, local employees carry the most risk.
The wider economy will feel the impact of these lost wages. Local business leaders warn that reduced spending will hurt supermarkets, banks, and small businesses. The loss of industrial exports also creates concerns about foreign exchange reserves for the country.
Who this hits
Recent hires at Proman
Proman stated it followed a last in, first out principle for its retrenchment process. This means newer employees were the first to lose their jobs.
Nutrien employees
About 350 workers are losing their jobs as the nitrogen plant shuts down indefinitely. Many are now organizing to challenge their severance packages, arguing the offers fall short of company policy.
Specialized energy workers
Employees with years of specific experience in nitrogen and ammonia plants face a shrinking local industry. They must now look for alternative employment in a contracting market.
What to do this week
- Review your employment contract to understand your severance rights and company policies before a crisis hits.
- Diversify your skill set so you are not tied to a single raw material or a highly specific industrial process.
- Build an emergency fund to cover personal loans and financial obligations during unexpected industry downturns.
See who's hiring right now on GiraffyReach
My take
When a company blames external factors like gas shortages, the real issue is often profit margins. Nutrien is shifting production to North America without missing a beat, leaving 350 local workers behind. This is why I always tell job seekers to build skills that transfer across different industries and regions.