WITH no formal word on the thousands of the Community-based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme Company (CEPEP) workers who are now out of a job, the country has a social crisis.

This comes from Member of Parliament for St Ann’s East Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly who said citizens were suffering all across the country, in opposition and government constituencies due to a political decision that was made.

Speaking at an Opposition press conference on Wednesday, she said, “The grass is growing all around the country but while the grass is growing, our people are starving.”

Dr Gadsby-Dolly said the CEPEP workers were paid their last salary on Monday that came in later than scheduled.

“Many of our CEPEP and forestry workers live day to day. In some cases, they borrow money or trust items to be able to live. They live paycheck to paycheck. When one paycheck comes in many cases, that is already spent.”

“Having been paid on Monday, and that being their last paycheck, the question is, how are these workers now, thousands of workers which represent families which represent children, many of them  school age children, how are they now in reality be able to afford to deal with the back to school expenses, the vacation expenses, how are they in reality to do that?” she asked.

Earlier this month, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath under which CEPEP now falls, said terminated contractors would have been paid their July salary and expected to pay the workers under them.

Dr Gadsby-Dolly said, “The response from the government has not been encouraging.”

She said it was clear that government made the move with no plan to take care of some of the most vulnerable citizens.

“Women without options are vulnerable women. Men without options are desperate people. These people have dependence that have not been catered for,” Dr Gadsby-Dolly said.

She also referred to a release previously issued by the Ministry of Social Development saying it was done in a cold manner offering little solace with many persons receiving no help or comfort.

The ministry in a July 9 media release reiterated “its steadfast commitment to supporting citizens affected by recent programme adjustments resulting in loss of income.”

To access services, individuals were encouraged to contact the ministry’s toll free helpline at 800-1MSD (1673) or visit www.social.gov.tt.

Dr Gadsby-Dolly said a vulnerable people make decisions that were many times not in their best interest.

“We are very concerned about the social crisis,” she said.

The former education minister said the Opposition was also most concerned about the vulnerable children.

She said, “Vulnerable children are good fodder for gang warfare and for recruitment.”

To the now unemployed workers, Dr Gadsby-Dolly said there were government provisions made which can assist and encouraged the workers to apply for such grants under the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services.