With many complaining of job shortages on the island, an opportunity to make an extra buck is welcomed by most. This is what some local construction workers thought when they signed up for job last Wednesday.
The San Pedro Police Station was stormed by some fifty construction workers on bicycles on Wednesday night, October 5th at around 7pm. While about twenty of them were inside the station, the ones outside spoke with The San Pedro Sun and told us their complaints.
According to the construction workers they had worked for approximately eighteen hours for Mr. Mike Madrid at a construction site north of the bridge. The men all complained of working “like animals” for Mr. Madrid; with no offer of food nor water. According to the men, on these jobs, it is customary that the employer provide some food and liquid to the workers as it is required that they be there for a long time, however at this particular job there wasn’t any and they had to pay for their own food and water.
At the end of the eighteen hours, the workers expected to collect $180 or at least $160, however they were given $110 and told to either take it or leave it. This is when they all decided to take the matter to the Police. According to a reliable source, after some time, with the assistance of the police, the workers and the contractor were able to come to an agreement.
