Housing and Local Government Minister Richard Frederick categorically denied any allegations of victimisation against three former National Housing Corporation (NHC) employees.
Richard Frederick, the Castries Central Member of Parliament, provided an update on the situation concerning the former NHC employees and addressed the state of affairs for vendors operating in the city, confirming that authorities will locate them in more appropriate places to conduct their business.
The employees-Remina St. Marie, Marcia Nelson-Joseph, and Juanita Bynoe-were terminated owing to redundancy, effective immediately. Following this, the National Workers Union (NWU) intervened to resolve the situation, enlisting Labour Commissioner Joseph Joseph on behalf of the affected employees.
The NWU charged the NHC with wilfully breaking the requirements of the Collective Agreement and Labour Act Cap. 16.04.
“Nobody was terminated. Nobody at the NHC was terminated,” the minister stated during a media briefing on Monday.
He clarified that the NHC is now restructuring, which has made some posts redundant. He highlighted that these positions no longer exist and that the NHC has compensated the impacted employees over $520,000.
He also stated that one individual received around $238,000 in compensation. He agreed that the scenario may cause some emotional hardship, but emphasised that the severance compensation was determined by the Human Resources Committee and authorised by the NHC Board of Directors.
He asserted explicitly that the employees were not intentionally terminated or fired; rather, roles were declared redundant.
In response to the NWU’s complaints to Prime Minister Philip J Pierre and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), NWU Secretary-General Johann M. Harewood emphasised the importance of immediate intervention, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent in the country’s industrial relations environment.
Frederick indicated that his discussions with NHC senior officers centred on the adequacy of notice rather than the legitimacy of the severance agreements.
Labour Commissioner Joseph commented on the incident, claiming that the National Housing Corporation (NHC) had violated proper redundancy processes. He stated that during a conciliatory discussion with the interested parties last week, he proposed that the employees be compensated for this breach.
“One of the first options a conciliator looks for is reinstatement, but it must be agreed upon by both parties,” he said.
As development on the new Market facility nears completion, the Castries Central MP announced plans to move coconut and fish vendors who are currently operating in the city. Following negotiations with fish dealers, he declared that they would most likely be relocated to a more convenient position near the Vigie fisheries complex within the next two weeks.
“We are completing the construction of a facility, and it’s essential to have that space available for them,” he said.
Regarding the coconut vendors, he said that officials are actively looking for a suitable spot, most likely in the Gardens (George V Park). According to Frederick, the Mayor of Castries is working hard to acquire an allocation for the coconut vendors while also ensuring that their presence is properly regulated in accordance with the newly created complex.