Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales appeared unphased by reports that employees at the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) were protesting over rumours that 600 staff members would be retrenched by the company.
The protest took place at WASA’s Farm Road, St Joseph, headquarters on Thursday with scores of workers chanting “we want to work right now”, “open de gate”, and “we not taking dat”.
The employees were armed with placards and led by the Public Services Association (PSA). Their yelps and chants were accompanied by rhythmic claps, drums and bottle beating.
Asked his thoughts about the mobilisation at the post cabinet media conference today (Thursday), Gonzales seemed unaware and flippant.
He said: “I’m surprised that they’re protesting. I thought they would have been outside cleaning the water treatment plants to ensure that people get water.”
Moreover, he cautioned the workers to avoid being “misled”.
Furthermore, Gonzales denied any plans to fire staff as part of a transformation scheme.
“As Minister of Public Utilities, I don’t know nothing about that,” he said.
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