Submitted by Beresford
Wednesday the cries of dread of NCC workers as they came face to face with the doom of their lives reverberated throughout Barbados. The desperate pleas for what should be natural from any good Government – fair treatment, due process – pierced the hearts of every thinking Barbadians.
Workers cried that as sole breadwinners, they were being terminated. They cried that they would be no longer able to support families. They pleaded for their children at university whom they would no longer be able to support. They pleaded for fairness in the face of the wrong – simply wicked – approach of sending home hardworking and able-bodied workers of five, ten, 15 years while those of a year were being kept on.
With all lost, the NCC workers took a stand for themselves – they went on strike.
The description of this disaster as “one of the saddest days” in Barbados’ history captures the wanton destruction of people’s lives by the Freundel Stuart DLP Government.
The whole morass reinforced the pathological political gangsterism of the DLP in its continuing rule of terror as it lurches from one calamity to the other.
Every effort to slash workers has been steeped in confusion, crassness and carelessness. This is the modus operandi of the DLP.
But the NCC debacle has brought to a boil and crystallised the same inequities and shenanigans that mushroomed in all areas in which people have been terminated. This is a diseased Government that has no intention of treating its poi
Actions speak louder than words. Look at all of the breaches of the Employment Rights Act which it is always trumpeting. Pure “gallerying”.
In addition, the DLP has broken its stated principles, as announced by Prime Minister Stuart himself, that there would be adherence to the last-in first-out protocol, that no breadwinners would be sent home and that account would be taken of special circumstances.
The unions? They have been treated with the same disdain and disrespect. They have been given broken assurances. Terminations have continued without their knowledge.
CTUSAB has called for a meeting of the Social Partnership. Don’t hold your breath with this Government.
Minister Lowe admitted he had the list of persons to be dismissed. How can he justify this putrid treatment of loyal NCC workers by talking foolishness about trying to keep able-bodied persons who have less than 3 years while sending home long standing employees? What about his siblings who were not given letters to attend the meeting that was to distribute the termination letters?
It is patently wrong for a Minister to be going through a list of workers and picking who he prefers. Has anyone named Lowe, Neblett or Springer to be given the chop?
The Manager of the NCC says it is out of hands to have a discussion with the Barbados Workers Union – a clear statement of where the smoking gun lies. Of course, not a word from Lowe or Freundel.
Who cares about the NCC workers? Not when you hear there is a great sacrifice being made by a Prime Minister who took a salary cut of 10 per cent. Ten per cent of $200 000 or so. A Prime Minister who enjoys at least two free cars at the taxpayers’ expense, a house, living expenses. And all of this while not being able to solve a single problem at home – flying about with the equally incompetent Maxine McClean to every inconsequential cockfight.
The BLP remains steadfast in support of all public workers. It has already spoken on the NCC tragedy. We will not retreat one inch from its stance on the mistreatment of citizens.
This is a web of vicious deception that is ultimately tearing apart the lives of Barbadians.
No wonder trust and confidence has vanished in Barbados.
The NCC workers are in focus now. But all things will continue to fall apart. Callousness is endemic in their ranks.
When will the Government stop sacrificing the workers at the bottom of the totem pole who can least protect themselves?
The workers of the NCC has taken one small, vital step for themselves and the country often speaking out boldly. They have done so on the eve of the day designated to celebrate the workers of this country.
When will other right thinking Barbadians join them in fixing our broken Barbados? When – before it is too late?
Since last week we also shared fellowship on Heroes Day. The BLP salutes the thousands, especially the great showing of young people, who enjoyed the camaraderie with us at our annual picnic in love and peace.
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