BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS a result of a recent report made to the St. Kitts Department of Labour, alleging that employers are depriving workers of their Constitutional rights, an official within that branch of governmental organisation said they are on top of the situation and would take the necessary actions required.
This pronouncement was made following a visit to this media house by a number of local employees of a certain institution of learning on St. Kitts.
The employees claimed that persons working at that particular institution for over three years were never in receipt of holiday pay. They also claimed that they are not given the stipulated “double pay on holidays and time and a half on Saturdays and Sundays”.
SKNVibes contacted a senior member of the institution and was told that the allegations are false. This media house also contacted the St. Kitts Department of Labour and learnt that they too had received similar complaints, and officials had visited the institution of learning on Friday (Dec. 4) to ascertain if they had violated the Labour Laws.
This media house was given the assurance that “we are on top of the situation and if there is any violation of the laws, we will take the appropriate action”.
The official further stated that no employer should deprive their employees of their rights, noting it is an illegal act and according to the Labour Ordnance the Labour Commissioner has the authority to take the defaulters to court.
“Additionally,” the official said, “according to some of the main Provisions of the Holidays with Pay Act No. 19 of 1968, all workers who work for the same employer for 26 days or more, including probationary period, are eligible to receive holidays with pay”.
The official further said that every worker, at the end of each year of employment, “shall be entitled to an annual holiday of not less than 14 days, excluding Sundays and Public Holidays. However, if a worker is dismissed or resigns before qualifying for 14 days holiday with pay, he or she is entitled to proportionate holiday pay at the time of termination”.
It was also explained that the rate of accumulation of holidays with pay for hourly and daily paid workers, as well as those on piece work, is one day for every 11 days worked; and the qualifying period for an entitlement of 14 days annual holidays with pay is 154 days.
With regards to weekly, fort-nightly and monthly paid workers, the rate of accumulation of holidays with pay is one day for every 17 days worked; and the qualifying period for an entitlement of 14 days annual holidays with pay is 238 days.
