Freedom Fm has just received news that some 75 PEP workers drawn from Cosmetology, Computer Graphics, Early childhood and Office Administration were sent home by Permanent Secretary in the office of the Prime Minister, Mr Osbert Desouza at 11 o’clock on Thursday morning.
Several of the affected PEP workers continuously telephoned Freedom Fm Newsdesk to indicate that Mr. Desouza informed the students that they were to go home and await telephone calls from his Ministry to indicate where they would be assigned in the future.
Desouza pointed out that while they were waiting to be re-assigned that they would be paid but that the PEP would be closing down these areas that were housed in the Newtown community center. Several of the PEP students could be heard asking Mr. Desouza to put what he was telling them in writing.
Meanwhile Opposition Leader Dr Denzil Douglas addressed the PEP workers from the steps of the Newtown Community Center Thursday afternoon at 130 pm. Dr Douglas said it was unjust and unfair for the Team Unity Government (TUG) to be dismantling the PEP programme and treating the young people in the country in such a shabby manner.
At 2pm Thursday afternoon Dr Douglas lead a march of the disgruntled PEP workers to the PEP Office to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the ultimatum given by PS Desouza without the benefit of a letter which highlights the terms and conditions as outlined by Desouza.in his Statement to the PEP workers. One PEP worker called Freedom Fm and said all they wanted was “to have it in writing”.