In their quest to find employment at the construction of the $6.3 billion Caribbean Gas Chemical Limited (CGCL) petrochemical complex in La Brea, hundreds of residents staged protests yesterday, causing a shutdown at the construction site.
Under the watchful eyes of the police, the protestors from fenceline communities of La Brea, Vance River, Rousillac, Guapo and Gonzales gathered at the construction site from 6 am. Holding up placards which read, "Inequality, Victimisation and Distress," the residents demanded that CGCL, which comprises of Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Gas Chemicals, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the National Gas Company (NGC) and Massy Group fulfil its mandate to hire workers from the fenceline communities.
President of the La Brea General Council Marlon Greaves said although the residents were in support of the plant, they were fed up of being sidelined. He said only 10 per cent of workers at the construction site lived in La Brea. A total of 2,000 workers are expected to be hired during the construction period. Saying residents gave up their gardens and hunting grounds to accommodate the plant, Greaves said it was unfair that now families had to starve because they couldn't get work.
He revealed that unemployment in La Brea was over 80 per cent and families were suffering because of the high cost of living.
The complex which will produce methanol and dimethyl ether (DME) at the Union Industrial Estate, La Brea, is expected to be completed by 2019 but Greaves said if members of the communities are not hired, no construction will go on.
Qualified safety officer Dixie ann Williams said the protestors were hoping to get a meeting with the officials. She said the existing labour recruitment office was totally incompetent and has been hiring people as far as Guayaguayare.
"The people from the fenceline communities are upset because under the MOU a certain percentage of workers from the communities should be hired. This is madness. we want to make a peaceful stance because everybody here have a skill. I want the Prime Minister to know we voted for him and now we need his help," Williams said.
Steel fixer Octavia Morgan said she has been coming to the construction site since July last year and although she was recommended by the Ministry of Labour for employment, she has been turned away.
"It hard coming here every day and when you come here thinking you get work, they turn you away. It hard going back home to face my family," Morgan said.
Contacted yesterday, MP for La Brea Nicole Olliverie said CGCL has hired locals.
"I am aware that the company has made great efforts in engaging contractors and residents where they meet the required qualifications," Oliverie said.
