Lay-offs begin at BWIA Trinidad Guardian Downsizing at national carrier BWIA began yesterday, with the serving of separation notices to 44 employees in its Trinidad operations. They were the first batch out of a total of 72 whom the airline intends to lay off as part of a restructuring exercise. BWIA said yesterday the separation notices will take effect in 45 days, in accordance with prevailing labour laws. The displaced workers also include people who have applied for voluntary separation. The airline has been reviewing and reorganising its operations to deal with the new economic realities of the aviation industry after the September 11, 2001 tragedy. The restructuring identified 181 surplus positions company-wide, 150 of which were in the local operations. After elimination of vacant positions, redeployment and attrition, the company expects a net total of 72 employees will be laid off in Trinidad and Tobago. The airline says it is offering counselling and outplacement services to displaced workers, as well as in-house sessions to remaining staff to help them through the transition period. BWIA, however, did not disclose the cost of offering voluntary separation packages to some of its workers. Neither did the airline say if any remuneration would be given to those laid-off workers who did not qualify for VSEP.