AN
angry mob of Ministry of Works employees chased private contract
workers off their job site last Thursday morning, claiming the right
to complete what they started.
The Works men fumed they had been working on the structure for well
over two years, “but now that the project is nearly finished,
the government sent private contractors to put on the roof -- a
job that we can do ourselves.”
The annoyed workers said the project began in 2003 and has remained
incomplete and they said because of a lack of material.
It has been approximately, seven months that they completed laying
out lathes and were only waiting for galvanise to complete the roofing.
The lathe became dry-rotten after being exposed to the elements
for such a lengthy period, they said and a little over two weeks
ago, workmen took off the old lathe and replace it with fresh ones.
They became overjoyed as roofing material arrived at the compound
last Wednesday, only to be disheartened when told that a private
contractor would be completing the job.
The workmen were later informed that the material came from the
contractors, who were also to be paid a considerable amount more
than them.
The frustrated workmen decided to take a stand last Thursday to
prevent private contractors from finishing their job.
“How could they bring in people to do the work that we could
do and pay them more than us?” fumed one workman.
“After we do all that work, they must just come in last minute
and do easy thing for more money.”
The contract men commence work on the roof, earlier that morning
oblivious of the mnistry workmen’s displeasure.
After much deliberation among themselves the workmen called on the
assistance of Salim Muwakil who is President of the WASA branch
of the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW).
Muwakil held talks with the Works emloyees at around 11.40 a.m.
and took the decision to peacefully ask the contractors to leave
the site.
The contractors quietly packed up their equipment and left.
Mawakil’s cellphone then began ringing off the hook as ministry
officials enquired about the contractors being chased.
Department supervisor, Kelvin Farrell, arrived within minutes and
began talks with Muwakil.
When asked about the situation, Farrell replied: “The higher
authorities will deal with that.”
Muwakil later told TnT Mirror: “The government taking away
work from workers in the construction division and awarding contracts
to PNM party hacks.
He also accused the government of using foreigners to work in the
construction industry although there are skilled local labourers
begging for jobs.
Workmen noted that this was not the first time government had sent
contractors to finish a building Works man had already started.
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SALIM
MUWAKIL (third from right) speaks to
the contractor.
Contractors preparing to come off the roof and
leave the compound. Note: The contractor
makes a phone call while men get
ready to leave.
This worker shows the dry-rot wood, which had
to be taken off the roof.
Supervisor KELVIN FARRELL (left) speaks to
MUWAKIL.
Ministry
of Works men commence work on the
roof after chasing contractors.
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