Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Despite promises that they will be rehired and given one month’s salary while the Government conducts an audit into improper Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) contracts, former workers staged a protest at the company’s Ste Madeleine headquarters yesterday.
Shouting, “We want we money,” the workers and contractors called on Government to complete the audit quickly and rehire them before the start of the new school term in September.
The workers said the abrupt cancellation of hundreds of contracts last Friday had left them in limbo, and they hoped that Cepep officials would explain when they would be rehired.
When they went to speak to officials, however, the security officer shut the door on workers and the media. A manager later came out and apologised. He told the workers that he understood their plight but said he did not have answers to their questions.
Speaking to Guardian Media afterwards, former CEPEP worker Joanne Lawrence said, “We’ve been terminated by our contractor and we don’t know what is going on. We just here for an answer.”
Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath stated last week that contracts were terminated due to discrepancies and improper approvals, with over 300 contracts deemed invalid. The contractors were reportedly collectively responsible for some 10,500 workers across the country.
However, affected workers yesterday said the sudden move has left them without income and without a plan.
“My contract was signed in April 2025,” said contractor Crevordor Piper.
“They say the contracts weren’t valid, but this wasn’t fair. They want to pay us off and leave us to pay the workers. Are they avoiding paying NIS? It is not fair.”
He admitted, though, that his contract was signed weeks before the April 28 General Election and that he had campaigned politically. He also said he never had a CEPEP contract prior to the one signed before the election.
When asked if that was not a discrepancy, he insisted that the termination was unfair, declaring: “Everybody campaigned.”
Piper suggested legal action might be considered, depending on how the matter proceeds. “Once everybody is involved, we will do it. This is not just for me. This is for everybody.”
Some CEPEP workers, many of whom are parents and sole breadwinners, said they are now unsure how they will manage day-to-day expenses.
Taryn Perryman said, “We have lives too. I have bills. I have a mortgage. I have my grandchildren to see about. They need to give us a proper answer. Why did they even do that in the first place?”
Told that the Government had promised to pay a month’s salary to the affected workers as an interim measure while the audit is conducted, some of the affected workers agreed the audit could be done.
However, Anthony Gookool, who worked in the Reform area, said workers should be rehired as soon as possible.
“I have a four-year-old in preschool. Every term I pay $1,500, plus transport. After a month, then what? I still won’t have a job,” he added.
Kurt Nicolas, another worker, said, “They say we’re getting a month’s salary, but after that, what are you telling us? We need clarity on when and how they are going to do it—whether before or after the month. Or before school opens.”
The workers also voiced concern about how the issue has been handled, calling the situation a crisis for working families.
Nicolas also raised mental health concerns.
“Some people don’t know how to deal with this. Landlords don’t want to hear about a pending investigation. Schools don’t want to hear about a pending investigation. Your stomach doesn’t want to hear about a pending investigation,” he added.
