By LAUREL V WILLIAMS Wednesday, August 19 2009

Displaced workers of the Chaguanas Borough Corporation remain hopeful they will at least get two months pay to help pay their bills and care for their families, as Government ponders whether to give the green light for them to receive a $309,000 donation from Chaguanas West MP, Jack Warner.

Beverly Augustine, a handy cart worker of Chin Chin Road, Cunupia, yesterday said it has been very stressful for her family in the interim. “Right now everyone just home. This is real therapy. I have two boys to look after, and work for my husband had slowed down,” Augustine said.

Another worker Meena Saroop, of Calcutta No 2, Freeport, is also keeping her fingers crossed.

“Everything is bills. I hope everything work out and the Government approve it. I am waiting for something to do,” Saroop said.

There have been several reports that some of the 54 displaced workers, whose jobs ranged from cleaners to litter wardens, have volunteered to work as litter wardens for the corporation in the meantime.

This was news to Augustine. “I do not know about anyone volunteering,” she said.

Saroop even hopes they will be able to work again. “We could have our job back too?” she said.

Chaguanas Mayor Natasha Navas was reported to be in meetings and was unavailable for comment on whether the displaced workers were volunteering and on the status of the release of funds to them.

Her assistant Satish Ramroop however told Newsday no money can be released until the corporation receives the approval of Local Government Minister Hazel Manning. Manning is awaiting advice on the matter from Attorney General John Jeremie who received information about the jobs the workers did and other terms from the corporation on Monday.

Ramroop said none of the workers are employed right now.