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PHILIPSBURG--Labour Minister Cornelius de Weever said on Sunday that it was "extremely important" for all parties including trade union leaders to be "honest and substantiate their statements made to the media" regarding the 12 workers who lost their jobs at Coliseum Casino last week Monday.
De Weever was reacting to statements made by Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Unions (WICLU) officials at a press conference last Thursday that government should step up to the plate for the sacked casino workers who were put on the breadline after the owner of the employment agency under which they were contracted to work for the casino, died.
De Weever said union leaders who do not have "the complete story" can contact his cabinet "instead of making assumptions and misinforming the public."
The Minister said in a press release Sunday that he was "fully aware" of the matter and had been addressing the situation involving the Coliseum Casino and the associated employees. He said an arrangement had been made with parties through the involvement of the Labour Department in August "to continue the monthly salary of the 12 employees until a solution has been realised... Financial and employment arrangements were made to keep the employees on for a bridging period," he said in the release.
The workers had told The Daily Herald that when they visited the minister about their plight they had been referred to the Labour Department and when they visited the Department they were told that they could not be assisted and that they should apply for aid.
De Weever said in the release that an attempt to attain an appropriate solution in this matter resulted in the Labour Department having discussions with parties involved. "After discussions with the employees and management Mrs. [Peggy-Ann -Ed.] Dros-Richardson briefed the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, who concluded that because of the complexities of the case and the new regulations of employment agencies a more in-depth analysis of the case is warranted."
This is why, the release continued, the matter was placed in the hands of Mediator Rafael Boasman to handle.
"In addition it is important to protect the confidentiality of our clients as well as companies and/or individuals who they are in dispute with, also the confidentiality of our clients who have been offered legal assistance by our ministry. Legal assistance can still be provided if and when needed upon request. Once this research is completed, the Mediator will make recommendations as to how this current situation can be resolved."
De Weever said legislation regulating the do's and don'ts of employment agencies has been enacted and has been enforced as of August 1, 2013.
