Managing Director Light & Holdings Ltd. of Barbados, Peter Williams, has said that job cuts at DOMLEC are out of the question.
At the end of November, LPH announced that it had signed a letter of intent to acquire controlling interest in DOMLEC from WRB Enterprises Inc. of Tampa, Florida.
In a press release, LPH said both companies are working to have the transaction completed before the end of 2012.
There have been fears among DOMLEC employees that job cuts could be in the works as LPH takes over the island’s sole light and power company.
But Williams said this won’t be the case and the company will work closely with unions representing DOMLEC’s current employees. “I understand those types of concerns because whenever there is a change there would be things that are unknown but I think our history speaks to a large part for itself,” he stated.
Williams said in Barbados, LPH has had a very stable work force and the company has a very strong relationship with unions. “We have looked to invest in what we consider to be strong, well run utilities with capabilities in staff,” he noted. “We invest a lot in training and developing people to do specialized work.”
He pointed out that there are certain areas that someone who is thinking short term is likely to diminish or cut but according to Williams, “you are actually, I think, damaging your future.”
According to Williams, LPH does not intend to do cut anyone from DOMLEC’s workforce but he did point out “Where changes are needed in the future we try to anticipate change.”
DOMLEC is the sole electric utility for Dominica, serving 34,000 customers. WRB currently owns 52 percent of DOMLEC, with 21 percent held by the Dominica Social Security Scheme and the remainder by other investors.
Which Government sold DOMLEC they must answer to the people
Honestly, it is extremely difficult to trust any official statement made with regard to this sale of DOMLEC. The credibility of all parties, especially the Prime Minister of Dominica and his ministers on this issue, has been severely tarnished.
With regard to the promises of the Managing Director, the employees of DOMLEC should not hold their breath. From past experiences, there can be no guarantee that jobs will not be lost at DOMLEC. These foreign utility companies are generally not pro-customers, employees and unions. Their focus are usually more on the bottom line than ensuing that they are regarded as good socially responsible corporate citizens. Their primary interest is the protection of the investment of shareholders at the expense of customers and employers.
The public should not fall for the lies of the PM that he was surprised by the news of the sale DOMLEC. That is just another PM lie in the series of Prime Ministerial lies.
The PM was not shocked and could not have been unaware. This is a calculated game to claim exoneration and a potential future defense when the critics will seek to blame him for allowing the company to be sold under his watch in light of the fact that he has been so critical of the UWP for having sold the company a few years ago. He has repeatedly stated that the sale of DOMLEC by the UWP was not in the best interest of the country-knowing that government could not, cannot and will not be allowed to buy DOMLEC.
There is nothing surprising or wrong in the way the PM became aware of the pending sale (assuming that he was not aware- which is a lie). The PM is being dishonest with the public. He must have know of the transaction before it was made public and in fact he should have been ashamed to inform the public that he didn’t know if in fact that was the case –which it is not. The PM behaviour is unbecoming and unacceptable. He is a stranger of the truth.
It is absolutely impossible that DOMLEC, the sole electric utility in Dominica is being sold and the government members of the Board including DSS members and or the management of the company would not have alerted/advised the government about the pending sale. The PM and the responsible Minister must have know. Like Tony would say- pure hogwash.
As long as Dominica is following the prescription of the IMF, the government cannot have controlling shares in Dominica, the IMF and the World Bank would not allow that. Therefore, on that basis alone, Government could not have controlling interest in DOMLEC even if it had the means to do so- which it does not have in any event.
Everyone in the world is now convinced that they can take Dominicans for a ride because we are prepared to accept BS from everyone.
Respectfully
Roseau valley
Skeritt and dem were caught asleep at the wheel, now I hope they learned to be proactive, quit wasting money on useless things and secure real funds to offer this company to buy this back. Quit whining. That’s just the right thing to do. Given the economic fallout & backlash from this Domlec if they mean the lip service they bombard us with about electricity.
ONE WORD”REDUCTION”
That is very good news Sir! Much better news would be a cut in rates for the customers, who been paying an arm and a leg trying to make ends meet. Thnx, and hope you take the latter into consideration.
YA right! if we believe that. they always say that to avoid mass exodus, but in the end it`s due to cicumstances beyond their control. “YOU`re Fired!And they controled 52% and 21% by social security,who owns Social security? I thought it was the people`s business? fill me in on that one I`m confused!
!
DOMLEC is the sole electric utility for Dominica, serving 34,000 customers …. The Commonwealth of Dominica had a population of 71,293 at the 2011 Census …
Does all the population have electricity?
Dominica has 71,293 people in the 2011 census….so you expect to have 71,293 houses with electricity meaning 71,293 customers. So you want every single person to have electricity in their name, even my seven year old son.
Bonjay I die tonight…hahahahahaha
People think before all you comment nuh. lol lol
That is what happening when people so full of negativity they will jump on any little detail to push their pessimism.
How many people in your house that have a meter registered in their name?
Your 3 month old relative paying lights too?
yes they do because one house hold may have 2-3 occupants.hope that helped.