PACT Restructuring ‘by the Book’

On Wednesday, we reported on the exchange between the Protected Areas Conservation Trust and the Public Service Union over the fate of six PACT employees who are also members of the union. PACT is undergoing a “restructuring exercise” following years of review and employees were offered new contracts. The P.S.U. claims that two of its members were made redundant and four others were ordered to sign contracts or lose their jobs. The union called out PACT. On Wednesday, Minister Figueroa was asked to comment on the matter. He says that PACT did everything by the books and made much needed decisions. He said, however, he was not updated on the angle of the P.S.U., but believes the redundancies were made after careful revision.

Omar Figueroa

Dr. Omar Figueroa, Minister of Environment & Sustainable Development

“Currently, all assessments indicate that we are falling about twenty to thirty million dollars short of really having the resources to do an effective and efficient management of this network. Last year we did an institutional assessment of PACT to help us to show the strengths and weaknesses of the institution and several things were flagged, without going into details. We are now trying to implement a new structure, a new framework that is going to guide PACT into the future. Within that framework, we were advised legally to transition from the old into the new, we would have to terminate the current status at PACT in order to begin with the new, so nobody was fired. We had to terminate and everybody was offered the opportunity to continue. There were, however, two posts that were declared redundant; without going into details, it was just really responsibilities that were being paid too much for what was being done at PACT.  So, two posts were declared redundant and they received all the compensations that were deserving. So, the new staff are now, all of them, were offered the opportunity to continue with PACT with the new terms. Because, with PACT increased mandate, moving forward it will call for new roles and new responsibilities. So, two persons were made redundant and others were given the opportunity to come back. So, nobody is being forced to do.”

Reporter

“The P.S.U. in their statement said that it was in direct conflict with labour laws and ILO regulations.”

Dr. Omar Figueroa

“Well, I haven’t seen the release, but if the P.S.U. put out a release on that, I am sure we will take a look at it and will try to see if anything was done wrong. We work, clearly, with our legal advisor because PACT has that as we move forward in this transition.”