NSWMA dismisses criticism of its people management skills

Fenley Douglas, councillor for the Waterford division, in Portmore, has taken aim at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), criticising its management of personnel during last Wednesday’s Portmore municipal council general meeting.

Douglas accused the agency of neglecting proper training, contractual transparency, and the provision of protective gear for street sweepers.

In his scathing critique, Douglas highlighted instances where street sweepers lacked adequate training and were without written contracts or protective gear. He also expressed concern over the absence of input from councillors in selecting street sweepers, contrary to an agreement with the NSWMA.

“We can’t have people sweeping our streets without understanding the dangers they may encounter,” Douglas emphasised, citing a specific incident where a sweeper was hit by a vehicle while allegedly working beyond her contract period.

“We have been asking to see the contracts of these street cleaners to see the terms and conditions and the provisions made out for proper protective gear, to no avail,” Douglas stated.

Douglas lamented, too, the lack of application forms for street sweepers and the inability of councillors to recommend workers for their divisions.

“This is the only agency of government that we are working with that has not provided an application form to be filled out by workers,” Douglas observed.

He warned that the presence of unknown workers could lead to community backlash.

But responding to the criticisms, NSWMA Executive Director Audley Gordon asserted that the agency maintains open lines of communication with the Portmore municipal council.

Gordon defended the agency’s training programmes and stated that street sweepers’ contracts are tailored to their part-time status, with negotiations for improved wages now ongoing.

“What is true is that we have open lines of communication to all category of workers, and we do basic training to include as much workers as possible,” Gordon said.

“All over Jamaica, this category of workers are aware of their contracts and have never complained to us; all they have been asking for is more money.”

Gordon pledged to investigate the incident involving the injured worker and the suggestion of councillor recommendations for street sweepers. He further urged Douglas to engage with the agency constructively, rather than resorting to public criticism.