Lab Technicians Ordered Back to Work by Industrial Dispute Tribunal — Petrojam

Laboratory technicians at Petrojam who staged industrial action on Thursday have been ordered to return to work following a ruling by the Industrial Dispute Tribunal (IDT).

The decision, issued late on October 2, 2025, requires the employees — represented by the Petroleum Workers Association, an affiliate of UCASE — to resume normal duties beginning Friday, October 3. Petrojam confirmed that the workers are expected to report for their 7:00 am to 7:00 pm shifts and continue all other scheduled assignments.

The protest action had raised concerns about potential disruptions at the state-owned refinery, which is central to Jamaica’s energy sector. The IDT’s back-to-work directive is intended to restore order while allowing discussions between management and union representatives to continue.

Petrojam stressed that stability in operations must be maintained to safeguard energy supply across the country.

Closing Line: The incident highlights the importance of dialogue in labour relations, particularly in institutions critical to national infrastructure.