Workers Demand Change Now

Courtney McNish, the industrial relations officer at Adon Construction Ltd, has spoken about employee concerns regarding poor working conditions and low pay, which he attributes to recent sickout protests by Sookhai Engineering and Rental Services Ltd (SERSL) employees. Workers at Adon, contracted by Perenco TT for operations in the Teak, Samaan, and Poui (TSP) fields, expressed that they face similar challenges to those at SERSL, including inadequate pay and lack of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). Reports suggest that 40 out of 48 workers plan to initiate their own sickout if their concerns go unaddressed.

Adon Construction provides essential maintenance and construction services for Perenco, with employees working as welders, scaffolders, and fabricators on aging platforms. Workers have highlighted the dangers they face, including the risk of gas leaks while welding, and their frustrations over management’s refusal to hold timely meetings to address their grievances. They describe their work as strenuous and under-compensated, receiving $57 an hour for 12-hour shifts without overtime pay, even on holidays.

The employees claim they lack insurance and must pay for their own training and PPE, often incurring high costs without adequate reimbursement. Despite their efforts to communicate with management, including sending letters requesting urgent meetings, employees feel ignored, stating that a planned meeting for July 24 may be postponed due to work schedules.

In response to these claims, McNish acknowledged the delay in meetings but dismissed allegations of inadequate PPE, asserting that the company meets industry standards. He also clarified that wage rates are determined by Perenco and not Adon. The situation escalated after recent sickouts at SERSL, leading to the Minister of Energy, Roodal Moonilal, calling for an investigation into the labor conditions affecting these workers.