The National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) is standing in solidarity with over 10,500 terminated Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) workers. Furthermore, it is calling on Government to absorb the workers into the existing contractual framework of the company until it resolves issues it has highlighted.
This follows widespread fear and uncertainty expressed by affected workers yesterday, after they reported to work and were finally told by the terminated contractors that they no longer had jobs. The contractors received their termination letters on Friday but the majority of them only officially communicated what this meant to workers yesterday.
In a release yesterday, while NATUC general secretary Michael Annisette acknowledged Government’s concerns about poor governance in the programme under the former People’s National Movement administration, he said workers should not be punished for the alleged misconduct of politically connected contractors.
“... We state emphatically: workers must not be made to bear the economic burden for the misconduct or failings of contractors. CEPEP workers have long toiled under difficult conditions, often with little job security, and it is wholly unjust for them to be collateral damage in the pursuit of accountability,” Annisette said.
The union said it supports a more transparent and skill-building version of CEPEP but urged Government to act with urgency and compassion in the matter.
“We therefore call on the Government to immediately absorb the affected workers into the existing contractual framework while continuing its legitimate investigations and reforms. We urge the authorities to act with urgency and compassion, ensuring that no worker is left behind due to actions beyond their control.”
Adding that the union understood the gravity of the situation and the impact of the decision on the lives and livelihoods of the workers and their families, Annisette said, “Our message to the CEPEP workers today is clear: you are not alone. We hear you, we support you, and we will continue to advocate for your fair treatment, dignity, and security.”
They also drew attention to what it called past injustices that remain unaddressed, including the 2017 dismissal of Port Authority CEO Charmaine Lewis and the Dr Keith Rowley-led government’s refusal to honour a 12 per cent collective agreement at the Port Authority of T&T.