The construction industry is estimated at about $7 billion and employs about 80,000 people for 2010.President of the newly formed Sub Contractors Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT), Labib Najjar says by consolidating themselves they are hoping to preserve construction jobs amid the global meltdown.
Najjar made these comments at a meeting at Peake's Industries, on Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.
Among those present were Vice President Kenneth Boodoo, Brian Bernardo, Neil Sheppard and Andrew Pashley. They are hoping to partner with major stakeholders including Government, smaller contractors and tradesmen by "giving them voice."Consensus among the sub contractors was, they were not interested in erecting "big buildings but in providing adequate infrastructure."Najjar said: "We would like to see sub contractors represented on the state boards where necessary. We would like to partner with Government and the respective stakeholders.
We feel we have not been fairly treated, so we have to lobby for our interests." They are also seeking the interests of their employees. "Before (downturn), the industry employed about 300,000 people. Now it employs about 80,000. We do not want to have to send home anyone. The plan is to embrace all the contractors and bring them together so the population would benefit," added Najjar.
Apart from preserving construction jobs, Najjar said they want to extend their skills and expertise to tradesmen including plumbers, masons, carpenters, painters and landscape artists.
He explained it was absolutely necessary for standards since many of them "don't know how to properly price jobs."Najjar said: "We want to take the smaller contractors into our bosom. We want to elevate the standards in the industry. We want to develop quality in the industry. We think it is important to portray integrity and ethics and raise concerns. We want to bring different voices and opinions to the decision-making process. We didn't have a voice on construction issues. We are reaching out to Tobago sub contractors, too."
Sub contractors comment
Ironically, sub contractors felt they were not given the respect they deserve although the construction industry was the first indicator of the health of a country's economy."The construction industry is the first to feel the blow if there is a downturn. It is the first that will pick up if the economy is on the upturn. Construction workers spend money which goes back into the economy," said Gregory Farah.
Meanwhile, Hugh Scamber also expressed the collective sentiment that it was imperative for the economy to get stimulated. Clyde Herbert said proper standards would stem violence.He cited an example of a contractor facing the calumny of his employees.
Herbert said: "One contractor did not get paid. The police looked on helplessly. They could not do anything about it. They vandalised the office. We have to contend with aluminium and copper thieves, too."
He boasted subcontractors were an industrious group of entrepreneurs who contributed substantially to the Gross Domestic Product. "We are not crooks. We have grown and developed businesses. I have employed people for second and third generations. We want to develop the industry so we could export it. We have moved from parlours to chains of groceries," added Herbert.
