Submitted by Derico Charles
Submission must be made for a request to the Minister of Environment & Drainage, Dr Denis Lowe, to make a statement relating to the SEVERANCE PAY of the Drainage Workers who were sent home at the end of 2013, especially those who have worked past 2 years continuously.
Almost two weeks after sending home these people via a phone call, at a meeting on the 10th January, 2014 at Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre at Two Mile Hill, it was announced by the Permanent Secretary that all the workers would be given their dues. This is two months now and no further communication has been made to anyone of them regarding their severance payments.
One of the things that hurt these men and women, mothers and fathers the most -was being dismissed by a phone call- with no letter of dismissal –no lieu pay– no “green-paper” to receive unemployment benefit- no vacation pay and no representation– they were only told “…Until further notice….” And they were not even formally requested to attend the meeting that took place. Many attended through word of mouth. Indeed this was a contemptuous slap in the face by the Government of Barbados that many of these workers and their children will never forget.
The Prime Minister indicated that the unemployed workers would receive separation packages which were now being quantified by the Ministry of Environment, “and will engage the attention of Parliament not too long from now”. The question to be asked is: How long is not too long? Is the quantification process taking place? Where is the justice in this country?
Prime Minister Stuart disclosed that Government would also put in place advisory mechanisms for the workers in case they needed advice on how to make effective use of their packages. He said that in addition to that, they have been made aware by the Minister of Labour, Dr. Byer Suckoo that there is still that $10 million training fund available and that there will be opportunities for training with a stipend attached and there is not all darkness ahead. He said that “there is some light and we intend to work with these men and women and help them to keep their lives together.”
Now tell me – after you have insulted a man, kicked him in his butt by abruptly dismissing him from your place, do you think he will really trust you again or want to come around your place? You kicked him out of your place and he had no time to pack- so if he does show up again all he will want is his belongings. So Minister Byer-Suckoo you won’t see the numbers for this training fund because there has been a high level of hurt and mistrust and $10 million in a fund means nothing to a man to whom you owe -for e.g, $10,000 or $15,000. And this forms part of the dignity of the average Barbadian.
During the meeting, Mr. Stuart thanked the laid-off employees for the excellent work they did over the past five years and described them as “a remarkable set of people who gave of their best in the programme”.
So if they have done so well, Mr. Prime Minister, give them their dues and do it now Sir!
After all the “lotta long talk” many of these workers are out there swimming the tide alone—begging, borrowing, and depending on a neighbour, a friend to survive- to eat -to send the children to school. So a statement to the media about a counselling desk and standing with the workers and yet you still have not given them from as little as- vacation pay to the most- their severance pay- means that you are only seeking to impress but have not expressed your moral responsibility to these people as a government. I implore you Sir, to act swiftly and stop hoping that these people forget your trickery.
I beg to submit that all this publicized “political grand-standing” and “political gimmickry” at the expense of vulnerable public servants who the government now see as just a set of people on a “programme” will contribute firmly to the final days of the ruling Democratic Labour Party’s governance. It appears that no one is fighting for the rights of these men and women of the now defunct Drainage Division under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment and Drainage. They seem to have been cast aside and forgotten after being subdued and sedated with “sweet talk”. But their cupboards are still bare and their bills are still running up in arrears. Their dignity has still been stripped and every day that they awake from a night of worry they have to find fresh courage.
Indeed this is grossly insulting and contemptuous to the intellect of the average Barbadian. The Democratic Labour Party has bonded themselves to another 15 years in the wilderness of politics when the next election bell is rung. That is the principle of deception. They have secured this through their dishonesty and mind games with the masses of Barbadians. You will be rewarded for your poor stewardship. That day is fast approaching!
Back in April 2013, Dr. Lowe also sought to dispel myths about the late payment of these same workers. He said it is totally untrue that the reason why members of the NEEP staff were not paid on time was as a result of the unavailability of funds or insufficient funds; totally untrue that Government was contemplating discontinuing the programme. He stressed that it was not Government’s intention to do so, because it remained committed to public servants at all levels of the public service to ensure that they remained employed, and emerged from this difficult economic situation.
In fact, the Minister revealed that over $9 million was approved in the Estimates that year for the execution of the NEEP programme, and another $2 million would be required later that year to ensure the work associated with the programme and the Drainage Division was completed.
Minister Lowe explained that the NEEP programme was originally designed to flow in two- year cycles. At the end of each of the two-year cycles the Ministry of the Environment and Drainage would submit documents to the Ministry of the Civil Service asking for a renewal and extension of the programme for another two years.
So the question is asked, “What happened to the monies allocated for this programme?
The question remains, “How were these monies spent?” “What happened to the government’s commitment and affirmation as it related to the Ministry of Environment & Drainage?”
Strangely enough, in all the five years –except for the inception in 2008, in the original design, workers no longer heard that what they were doing was a programme, but a functioning Division in the Ministry of Environment- The Drainage Division. What a profound technique in deception that was casted upon the vulnerable workers in order to send them home- to leave them like blind men in a dark room looking for a black cat!
The workers of the Drainage Division were dismissed contrary to the effects of the new Employment Act that was recently passed. That cannot be swept under the carpet. These actions are totally irresponsible and unacceptable and indeed NOT a National Initiative of Service Excellence- Not NISE!
This is a poor example of the efficiency of the Democratic Labour Party but a great example of a government that you can no longer trust.
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