NINETEEN EMPLOYEES FROM the Barbados Light & Power Company were severed this morning.
A statement from the company said the action affected most departments in the company and impacted employees from the supervisory, engineering and professional group and from the unionised staff.
The company noted that “Light & Power has been operating in a challenging economy, in a changing environment and in recent months has been engaged in a cost reduction sustainability exercise”.
Human resources manager at Light & Power, Roger Babooram said “the Company took a difficult but necessary step in the process of restructuring our operations today. Specific roles within the company were eliminated, resulting in the severing of employees.
“Those affected were advised in one-on-one meetings this morning, and all of the impacted employees will receive their due severance, in accordance with the law, and will be given due support to assist them as they move forward.”
Light & Power created and implemented a cost reduction programme in September 2014. The intention of the company-wide initiative is to bring cost savings in the range of $29 million to $30 million by the end of 2016. The company said this is necessary to ensure that the efficiency and viability of the business is achieved without adversely impacting customers. To this end, labour cost and staff restructuring was unavoidable.
According to Babooram, “job losses are never easy, but the elimination of these positions was a necessary step in moving Light & Power to more efficient operations. Also, it will better position the Company to respond to the changing environment and to benefit customers and stakeholders. As we have expressed to the impacted employees today, the Company is deeply grateful for their years of service to the organization and, indeed as to all employees, for their commitment to the business, to our customers, and to working safely.”
Light & Power has been reporting significantly declining sales in the context of an increasing demand from Government and individual customers for renewable energy and the new Electric Light & Power Act which will now enable electricity generation from Independent Power Producers in Barbados. (PR/NB)
