Worried workers speak

“To have invested so much of my life in this job without knowing that one day we would be shoved away without being appreciated is really disappointing”

The news that the Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.) is planning to cut more than 300 workers as part of a major restructuring project has angered staff members at the Corporation.

What’s more, they say they have heard about the plan from several sources but they have yet to be officially informed.

But while they are waiting for an official announcement, some of them are deeply worried about their future and that of their families.

Fearing repercussions from the top, the workers agreed to speak to the Samoa Observer on the condition that their names are withheld.

“I’ve been a loyal worker of this organisation for more than ten years,” said one of the linesman. “It saddened me when I heard the news about the Management’s plan.

“To be honest, I didn’t want to turn up to work today or ever come back to work."

“To have invested so much of my life in this job without knowing that one day we would be shoved away without being appreciated is really disappointing.”

From 450 staff members, once the “New E.P.C Management Structure” is “officially approved,” the number of employees will drop to about a hundred.

The employee said for the many years he had worked for the Corporation, “I worked tirelessly” during days and nights.

“We were the first men that were out cutting down trees when the cyclone Evan struck us,” he said.

The worker pointed out that he was around when the deadly tsunami struck in 2009.

“We didn’t get full pay for the work we did night and day but we continued to work because it’s our service to the country.”

“I was aware of the plans from up there and it really upset me when we are some of the first people to go once they are done with their talks and discussions.”

Another employee said she had heard rumours about the restructure.

“One of the men from the other division told us about what’s going around,” he said.

“I’m new here; a new graduate but this will surely affect me in terms of employment. I know of students that we went school together that are looking for work and if they make us redundant then I’ll be following them in finding another job.”

Another senior staff member also expressed his concern about the proposed change.

“I really don’t want to think about this new structure,” he said. “Our division has less than 15 members and only a few of us will still be here after the new structure change.”

A senior supervisor said he was concerned about people under his supervision.

“I’m just hoping the Board will re-think this,” he said. “A lot of the grounds men will be affected and especially those who aren’t earning enough…where will these people go to find work?”

Documents leaked to the Samoa Observer showed that the restructure will slash the number of jobs at the Corporation drastically.

Under the sub-title “New E.P.C Structure” once the “New EPC Management Structure” some of the divisions will be merged while others will be demolished.

General Manger of E.P.C, Tologata Tile Tuimaleali’ifano, confirmed that the issue is being discussed but was reluctant to give details.

“Thanks for showing interest in “New EPC Structure,” Tologata wrote in response to an email from the Samoa Observer. “However, I think it is pretty much premature to publicise this as it is still under deliberation by the Board.”

Pushed about how the new structure would affect the employees, Tologata said: “I just cannot discuss this until this is officially approved by our Board of Directors and Cabinet.”

He added that “I am the only one authorised by the Board to release any information to the public about E.P.C and you have to disclose your source of this information.”