…solution to problems found
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FOLLOWING Monday’s (Nov. 28) protest by placard-bearing workers of Construction Technologies Limited (CONTEC) over financial issues, a solution was reached through the involvement of the Labour Department.
On that day, approximately 10-12 frustrated employees staged the protest outside of the company’s Conaree base, voicing their displeasure at the way they are being paid and the lack of deductions for Social Security.
The protesters claimed that they are owed monies, including holiday pay, dating back to January and that they have grown frustrated with the way management has been handling the situation, which prompted them to take that action.
“People got money on Friday and I ain’t got none,” one staff employee lamented.
CONTEC is reportedly one of the companies that felt the brunt of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, the company reportedly laid off several employees,
Some of the longstanding employees who remained with the company are unhappy with the way they are being treated, and among them is Wilfred Thomas who was in the picket line.
“I am protesting today because I am fed up with the treatment. I am living in poverty and working every day. Right now, my balance is EC $11,447.39. That’s my balance! I went to prison the other day and I asked my boss to give me one week’s pay that he owes me so that I can pay my debts, and up until today I haven’t received it,” he emphasized
Another employee who was also on the picket line claimed that he has been receiving short payment from the company and wanted the matter resolved because it is affecting his livelihood.
SKN News understands that the employees' concerns were taken up by the Labour Department following a meeting amongst that body, representative heads from the various departments of CONTEC and the leader of the company.
According to sources, the employees were told that they would be paid their monies by today (Nov. 30), but the Labour Department officials had set a deadline for Friday (Dec. 2).
It was explained that due to the issues, a number of employees had tendered their resignation from the company on Monday (Nov. 28).
SKNVibes News was told that a number of options were put on the table to the employees, including the fact that they could resign and receive their severance payments from the company, and several of them took that option.
There has been no official public statement from the company or the Labour Department.
