In a heated session before the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath assured that the government has no intention of dismissing workers at the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA). This declaration came as the committee approved a substantial budgetary allocation of $3.27 billion to the Ministry of Public Utilities. Padarath emphasized the administration’s commitment to retaining WASA employees and enhancing the authority’s financial viability, stating, ‘This administration is hell-bent on keeping WASA employees in their jobs.’ He also highlighted collaboration with the Public Services Association (PSA), which represents the majority of WASA workers and is aligned with the ruling United National Congress (UNC).
Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales, a former public utilities minister, criticized the UNC’s past actions, recalling that the People’s Partnership coalition, led by the UNC, had planned to lay off 30,000 workers during the 2010-2015 period. He credited the People’s National Movement (PNM) with thwarting this plan upon assuming office in 2015 and implementing a transformation strategy that improved water supply for many citizens. Padarath, however, dismissed these claims, asserting that the PNM’s efforts yielded no significant results and instead led to questionable state contracts benefiting certain individuals.
The session grew contentious as opposition MPs, including Stuart Young and Colm Imbert, questioned Padarath about potential job cuts at WASA, particularly in light of a review of National Insurance System (NIS) contributions. Padarath maintained that the review would not result in job losses, but Young expressed skepticism, accusing the government of planning significant workforce reductions. The debate escalated into personal jabs, with Padarath suggesting Imbert consult a psychiatrist and Imbert dismissing Padarath’s remarks as irrelevant. Speaker Jagdeo Singh intervened multiple times to restore order.
Padarath also addressed concerns about a $50 million reduction in contract employment at WASA, asserting that vacant positions would be filled through the government’s National Recruitment Drive, which aims to create 20,000 jobs in its initial phase. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, in his recent budget presentation, announced the termination of the Cepep and URP programs, pledging to replace them with better-paid, full-time employment opportunities funded by a $475 million Employment Fund. The government’s focus remains on ending state funding of criminal gangs and improving public utility services.