JDF mobilised to restore water
The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has reported that due to industrial action taken by National Water Commission (NWC) employees, it has been activated to support the state-run utility company to restore critical supplies to facilities such as hospitals, schools and other essential services.
The army says due to the protests and strike of over 2,000 NWC employees on Tuesday, its Up Park Camp Well was rendered inoperable
In a statement on Wednesday, the army says water has now been restored to the camp and surrounding communities.
Reports are that the directive to have JDF mobilised was issued by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
On Tuesday, over 2,000 employees of NWC went on strike, demanding a response from the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service on their request for a reclassification of their services.
The reclassification issue, which dates back to 2008, has been left hanging since then and there are fears among the workers that they are being left out of the ministry’s compensation review which is currently being introduced.
On Tuesday, Labour Minister Karl Samuda assured the country that water should again be flowing in the pipes of Jamaicans.
However, up to Wednesday morning, thousands of Jamaicans were still without water.
Several schools and health facilities had to be closed this morning due to a lack of water.
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