Conciliatory talks have begun between the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) and Brazilian construction giant, OAS Construtora, a week after hundreds of workers downed tools, crippling construction of the $7.4 billion Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension.
The project which is 55 per cent complete is due for completion no later than November 2016.
However, since the protests started last week Tuesday, construction at the dual lanes along Mosquito Creek, St Mary’s and Mon Desir have ground to a halt.
Up to late yesterday, president general of the OWTU, Ancel Roget and OAS country supervisor Rodrigo Ventura were engaged in talks with officials of the Labour Ministry at its office, St James Street, San Fernando.
The talks started before midday and continued until late afternoon.
In an interview yesterday, president of the National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (Nidco), Dr Carson Charles, said he hoped talks would be fruitful and workers would return to their jobs soon. He added ongoing issues must be ironed out.
He also commended the Labour Ministry for setting up conciliation, saying this was needed as OAS and OWTU had failed to resolve disputes.
The workers have accused OAS of victimisation, failing to pay National Insurance Scheme and poor wages.
In an agreement signed on Monday, OAS agreed to replace 36 foreign truck drivers with locals, demote the human resources manager, rehire 12 dismissed workers and not victimise workers by deducting salaries for the days they staged protests.
Ministry gets highway report
Asked whether he had met with Works and Transport Minister Fitzgerald Hinds to give a review and assessment of the project, Charles said no.
However, he said a report was given to the minister on all the projects under the purview of Nidco.
“Today was the minister’s first day in office. The ministry is collecting reports on all operations and Nidco has complied with requests and sent a report on the ministry on all its operations. I believe there is a new permanent secretary at the ministry and some changes have taken place so the minister has his hands full,” Charles said.
He hoped that once Hinds “settles down,” a meeting would be arranged.
Asked whether he would have to resign his post, Charles said his contract ended in July 2016. He noted, however, that such matters would be addressed when he met with Hinds.
“I want to give the government enough room to settle down and get their affairs in order. The minister has to get his information and assess the situation,” Charles said.