PORT-OF-SPAIN – A major labour group in Trinidad has lashed the Patrick Manning government for its decision to begin a four-day celebration for the country's Beijing Olympians on the same day the group has called for a national strike.

David Abdulah, president of the umbrella labour body – the Federation of Independent Trade Unions and Non-Governmental Organisations (FITUN) – said on Thursday that the government's decision to begin the celebrations on Monday put the athletes in an awkward position.

"The government ought not to have done that to our athletes.

"That's a great sign of disrespect to our national athletes," said Abdulah, who insisted that the strike would go on.

The FITUN and the other labour federation here, the National Trade Union Centre of Trinidad and Tobago (NATUC), last month called for a Day of National Strike. Workers have been asked to stay at home as a show of protest against high food prices, rising crime and other issues.

Meanwhile, the government this week announced the celebrations for the athletes who picked up two medals in the Beijing Olympics last month. Richard Thompson won silver in the 100 metres sprint and also anchored the 4x100-metre relay team to silver.

Sports Minister Gary Hunt said the athletes would return home to a heroes' welcome that would include Prime Minister Manning and his Cabinet greeting them at the airport.

The team will then be driven in a motorcade. (CMC)