Despite assurances from Brazilian construction giant, OAS Construtora, that it had no intention of abandoning the Solomon Hochoy Highway extension to Point Fortin project, hundreds of workers continued to stay off the job yesterday.
The shutdown occurred even though the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union met with OAS on marathon sessions and signed an agreement committing that all workers would return to their duties yesterday.
However, some workers said they were not in favour of the OWTU’s agreement with OAS.
“We want respect from the bosses. We want better conditions of work and we want them to start paying our National Insurance,” one worker said.
While police kept guard, the workers sat under tents outside the company’s main gates at Golconda, playing cards. Loud music blared and security guards kept the gates locked. Traffic backed up along the Golconda Connector Road and the Cipero Road as the workers vented their frustration.
In the agreement signed between OAS and the OWTU representatives on yesterday, the company agreed to demote the human resources manager and remove disciplinary matters, recruitment and performance appraisals from under her purview.
Gregory Prevatt was given responsibility over all industrial relations issues, including disciplinary action against locals and foreign workers.
The company also committed to replacing 36 foreign truck drivers with local truck drivers and conduct a joint inspection of all company equipment along with the OWTU.
OAS also said it would not victimise workers who report defects, adding that an independent third party inspector would be hired. It also agreed to rehire 12 workers who were dismissed from the Guapo jobsite, adding that “there will be no victimisation or loss of pay for workers who staged protests on September 10 and 11.”
OWTU’s president general Ancel Roget was engaged in talks yesterday to bring about a resolution in the matter.
OAS responds
In a signed letter dated September 14, OAS country superintendent Rodrigo Ventura denied rumours that the company was folding up operations in T&T, following the defeat of the People’s Partnership at the September 7 polls.
He noted that OAS has a contract with the Nidco to complete the highway and “there is no intention to pull out of the country.”
“There are 1,500 employees engaged and around 600 pieces of equipment mobilised in this project. OAS will maintain all of its obligations, including payments, and will comply with terms of settlement dated 5 and 15 May and 14 September be discontinued, Ventura said OAS would complete the project by May 2016 or abide by the extension period of November 2016. He requested that all workers return to their jobs.
Nidco responds
Contacted yesterday, National Infrastructure Development Company (Nidco) president Dr Carson Charles said the ongoing protest by workers had crippled several phases of the highway construction.
Expressing optimism that the issues will be rectified, Charles said all sections of the highway have been on hold since the protests started last week.
“The segment from Dumfries to Paria Suites is supposed to be opened before the end of the year. The two lanes have already been opened but the old lanes are now being converted into new lanes. This will ease up traffic at Gulf City and we are anxious to get that done,” Charles said.
He said the workers are also supposed to be working on the Mosquito Creek from the Godineau Bridge to St Mary’s where old lanes are to be converted to four lanes.
“OAS is also working on the Mon Desir segment where we opened St Mary’s to Mon Desir and we are supposed to be continuing down to La Brea next year,” Charles said.
While the segment from Debe to Gandhi Village, is complete, Charles said the highway has to continue down to Penal.
Charles said that discussions were held up to Sunday night between OAS and the OWTU. He expressed hope that the project would return to normal soon.