TTEC’s $120m overtime bill

File photo:  TTEC general manager Kelvin Ramsook
File photo: TTEC general manager Kelvin Ramsook

TT Electricity Commission (TTEC) general manager Kelvin Ramsook yesterday disclosed to a Parliament committee that the commission has to foot a overtime bill of $120 million every year.

Ramsook made this disclosure when he responded to questions from Housing Minister Randall Mitchell during a meeting between members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), TTEC and Public Utilities Ministry officials at Tower D of the Port of Spain International Waterfront Centre. Referring to documents provided to the PAC, Mitchell asked if there was a nexus between high absenteeism and high overtime costs at TTEC. Mitchell said TTEC is an entity which provides a public good, is a monopoly, is funded and subsidised by Government. “There is no bottomless pit,” Mitchell said.

However, he said it appears TTEC, “somehow believes it is a bottomless pit because you are increasing staff costs but not paying NGC (National Gas Company).” Mitchell also noted that TSTT and Desalcott owed TTEC $51 and $56 million respectively. In response, Ramsook said there was some relation between overtime costs and absenteeism.

He told PAC members that overtime costs at TTEC have come down, “but it has not come down to the level we want it.” After explaining that TTEC operates a 24/7 service, Ramsook said there are situations where overtime is unavoidable. He said TTEC crews cannot do any work in Port of Spain, until after hours. He said there were four instances last year, when TTEC personnel were in the field around the clock because of severe weather.

Other TTEC officials indicated that overtime situations may happen if crews need to be deployed to areas considered as crime hot spots.

Ramsook agreed with Mitchell that there is room for improvement and TTEC has been looking at ways to reduce overtime cost. In response to questions from Tobago East MP Ayanna Webster-Roy, Ramsook said the commission operates a shift system for employees. He also disclosed the commission has been in talks with the Oilfield Workers Trade Union on plans to improve the skill level of employees.

In response to a question from Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, TTEC chairman Keith Sirju said 1.5 per cent of the population has no electricity supply and the commission is looking at this.

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"TTEC’s $120m overtime bill"

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