They came in their hundreds, eager to get a job at the construction site of the $6.3 billion Petrochemical plant, but after waiting for hours only a handful of residents were hired yesterday.
From as early as 5.30 am, the residents of La Brea, Sobo, Vessigny, Rousillac and Union villages gathered outside the construction site at Union Estate, La Brea waiting to get the good news that they had been hired for contruction jobs at the site.
Many of them were already registered at the Ministry of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprises and were approved for work. A few completed orientation while others eagerly filled out application forms.
Up to 10 am, only 16 people were hired by Junior Sammy Contractors. Qualified safety officer Dixie Ann Williams said she was not hired, even though between 250-300 people were already working at the construction site.
Saying there was a shortage of safety officers at the site, Williams said there should be one safety officer for every 50 people employed at the site.
Expressing disappointment that she was not yet hired, Williams said the unemployment crisis in La Brea was impacting on the lives of the people.
"Some of us cannot send our children to school. We cannot buy food. Some people not working for over three years. We looking for domestic work or anything that we can find. We are getting desperate because we have worked hard to get our qualifications and skills," Williams said.
Terryann Doyle who stood outside the gates with a worried expression on her face said she has been waiting for work for four years.
"When I heard this project was coming here, I got happy because I could finally get work but so far its nothing," Doyle said.
Officers representing the various contractors took names of prospective employees. Many of the workers declined to go on the record in fear that they will not be hired. Octavia Morgan, who takes care of her son and grand children said she too was hoping to get work.
CGCL's Human Resource Manager Josieann Richards said last week that 20 per cent of the workers employed at the plant came from fenceline communities. She said attempts will be made to hire more residents once they met the approved criteria.
Director of Rahunathsingh Contractors Shaz Ali said he hoped to increase his local content at the jobsite from 26 per cent to 50 per cent. The contractors said they were willing to hire workers from the fenceline once they were hardworking, productive and drug free.
The petrochemical complex will be T&T's eighth methanol plant and will produce 1,000,000 metric tonnes per year (MTPY) of methanol and 20,000 MTPY of dimethyl ether (DME). It is set to be completed by 2019.
