YTEPP employees protest

From as early as 8 am, approximately 90 employees from different departments of the educational institution marched in front the building demanding better working conditions.

The head office, which was once located at Mulchan Seuchan Road, was moved to the location at Chaguanas/ Woodford Lodge nearly three weeks ago. Since then, employees told Newsday, they have been forced to work under inhumane conditions.

“This building was converted to our head office even though it was incomplete and there are a number of health and safety violations and the health of employees are in jeopardy,” said one employee.

This building and the environment is unsafe.” He further told Newsday that the sewer problem which has persisted over the past few weeks only continues to worsen. “Raw sewage is running into the drains and offices and the strong stench is unbearable as employees are also getting sick.” He alleged that the building is also infested with rodents and roaches. “When staff are having their meals, there are rodents and roaches crawling around. In addition to that, when you are eating you get the smell from the sewer which is overpowering,” he said. Another employee said that there are no walkways to get to and from each department and as a result, employees are forced to “jump over drains to get to and from another department”.

Employees have vowed to step up the protest action.

Efforts to contact officials from the Education Ministry proved futile.