BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – The Team Unity Government of Prime Minister Dr. The Hon. Timothy Harris continues to abuse the human rights of State-employed workers.
Latest dismissals from the National Housing Corporation (NHC), the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Agriculture and Government Headquarters will have to find ways to feed their families.
Chairperson of the opposition St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, the Hon. Marcella Liburd said on Wednesday’s “Issues” programme on Freedom FM that more workers were put on the breadline this week.
“Four persons from the St. Kitts Tourism Authority were sent home yesterday (Tuesday). At the end of last month, 25 persons were sent home from the Department of Agriculture. Three persons from the National Housing Corporation (NHC) were also sent home last week,” said Ms. Liburd, also the Central Basseterre Parliamentary Representative.
She disclosed that several persons sent packing from the Cappisterre Farm at Belmont in St. Paul’s, last December, have still not received payment. “A cleaner employed at Government Headquarters was also sent home on Monday,” said Liburd, who called for an end to the victimisation and dismissal of workers..
“People have bills to pay, have other financial obligations and their families to feed,” said Ms Liburd, a lawyer who offered her serices to persons who seek legal advice. “We need to put an end to this constant victimisation. Sixteen months of victimisation non-stop has to come to an end,” said Ms. Liburd.
The Labour Party’s caretaker for St. Christopher 8, Dr. Terrance Drew condemned the dismissal of the employees including those at the St Kitts Tourism Authority.
“One of the persons is Kazne Williams, who works hard in her community in the area of culture especially in the annual Green Valley Festival. Even when Green Valley was at its lowest point, Kazne Williams always puts a troupe on the road so that Green Valley can look good,” said Dr. Drew who noted that Ms Williams is the President of the Cayon Football Club, which just won the championship.
“She worked with those guys from the days when they were at the low end or top end of the football game and come now to have won the championship and now with all the contribution to community and national development, she has been sent home by Lindsay Grant,” said Dr. Drew. Adding: “This is disgraceful.”
“I appeal to the people of Cayon to appeal to the authorities that Kazne deserves to work and works hard in the community.’