The entire truckers in Dominica met at Canefield Cliff on Monday under the aegis of the Tipper Truckers Association of Dominica (TTAD). They assembled to raise public awareness over the fact that 80% of trucking jobs in Dominica are awarded to foreigners. The truck drivers said the situation must change or they will be unable to feed their families and contribute to internal revenues in the country.
TTAD President Anton Laville said the association does not begrudge foreigners of working in Dominica, but it shouldn’t be at the detriment of the local workforce. He itemised that three major road construction projects are currently underway in the country, and none of them was awarded to local companies.
He listed the Bois Diable – Castle Bruce road which costs $48 million; the Castle Bruce – Hatton Gardon road which costs $87 million; and the Layou Valley road being done by the same contractor handling the Hatton Garden road.
I’ll make it clear that we have nothing against any foreign companies working in Dominica. However, the problem that we have here in Dominica is that we cannot have 80% of the workforce being foreigners while the Dominican truckers are unemployed.
Anton Laville, President of Tipper Truckers Association of Dominica (TTAD)
TTAD Treasurer Everson Magloire said local truckers were hopeful that they would be given reconstruction jobs after the passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017. But they were disappointed that the jobs were given to foreign companies who found it nearly impossible to collaborate with local contractors.
Magloire said the government has been insensitive to the plight of local truck drivers who are subsequently unable to feed their families.
When men are not working, when men cannot provide for their families, it is a mental stress on them.
Everson Magloire, Treasurer of Tipper Truckers Association of Dominica (TTAD)
Laville said truckers across the country have been trying to negotiate for fair treatment from the government without avail. He said they have met with relevant authorities, attended countless meetings, and failed to liaise with foreign contractors.
He said the government has not been helpful and truck drivers have taken their matters into their own hands by staging the public sensitization. He noted that if the government fails to act on their staged awareness, then they will continue to hold their stance until the appropriate authorities act on their demands for fair employment share.
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