WASA union files injunction to stop separation of NSDP workers

The National Union of Government and Federated Workers’ Union (NUGFW) filed an injunction Monday against the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to prevent the authority from dismissing dozens of workers employed under the National Social Development Programme (NSDP).

The matter is scheduled for hearing Wednesday at the Industrial Court.

The union has claimed that WASA intends to send home as many as 400 workers, many of whom have between eight and 10 years of unbroken service. 

However WASA has denied that. The authority has said the affected employees are not a part of the employees base and were hired specifically for the NSDP  program.

An official said "Notwithstanding this, with the unavailability of funding for certain projects notices were issued to affected workers in good faith in accordance with good Industrial Relations practice."

In addition WASA said it has taken specific steps to assist the workers in their transition from working under the program:

• A termination benefit will be paid to each worker based on a stipulated formula
• NEDCO was contracted to design and conduct a training programme that allows workers to be competitive entrepreneurs during their transition from the NSDP
• Financial and personal counselling services have been provided

NSDP is a Government-funded programme that allows for hiring persons on short-term pipe-laying projects. 

WASA said 329 NSDP workers were assigned to WASA. The persons identified for separation are 79 workers who had not been assigned to the pipe-laying project.  “These workers are neither permanent nor are they employees of the authority,” WASA said.