In an unprecedented move reflecting severe industry-wide challenges, Junior Sammy Contractors Ltd—one of Trinidad and Tobago’s largest contracting firms—has issued temporary layoff notices to all permanent staff. The Claxton Bay-based company will suspend operations without pay from December 16, 2024, until January 31, 2026, marking the first such action in its four-decade history.
The decision stems from a critical combination of factors: the completion of existing contracts without new project acquisitions for the upcoming quarter, substantial delays in government payments for past infrastructure projects, and a drastic slowdown in major infrastructural initiatives. A company spokesperson, speaking anonymously, emphasized this was an industry-wide crisis, noting they were among the last major contractors to implement such measures despite months of efforts to avoid this outcome.
Employees will receive compensation through December 15 and retain their employment status during the hiatus. Management plans to reassess the situation in January 2026 to determine resumption dates. The company acknowledged the severe impact on workers but stated the move was necessary for long-term viability.
This development occurs against a backdrop of mounting pressure on the government to address billions in outstanding debts to contractors. Economist Indera Sagewan recently highlighted this urgent need at the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association awards dinner. Meanwhile, the government’s newly launched Revitalisation Blueprint promises 129 major projects—including highway construction, port expansions, and housing developments—projected to generate 50,000 jobs. However, contractors continue grappling with pandemic-era setbacks, soaring material costs, and shipping expenses that have crippled operations across the sector.