Employers using Maria to exploit workers, Labour Ministry silent says WAWU

Augustus said some employees are exploiting workers

Some employers in Dominica are using the passage of Hurricane Maria to exploit workers while the Ministry of Labour remains silent, Secretary-Treasurer of the Waterfront and Allied Workers Union Kertiste Augustus has said.

Speaking at a May Day Rally organized by WAWU on Monday, he said following the hurricane last September, calls for representation by unions have been intense.

“And more so in relation to the question of layoffs and redundancy,” he said. “There appears to be a posture of exploitation of redundancy by some prominent employers in Dominica. The provisions of the law have been set aside in one case, for whereas the law provides for six weeks lay off, that employer has issued to his staff six months notice of lay off.”

He stated that the silence of the Ministry of Labour and the Minister of Labour has been deafening.

“Deafening has been the silence of the Labour Ministry and the Labour Minister in that regard,” Augustus said.

He went on to say that WAWU is concerned that staff of a certain hotel is now earning less than they did before Hurricane Maria.

“A leading hotel in Dominica has elected to use provisions of Section 18 of Act 8904 to deny workers notice pay in lieu of termination for reasons of redundancy,” he noted. “That very hotel has engaged in a strategy to reduce the rate or the pay scale of workers following recall after layoff. A worker who was enjoying a rate of $6.60 per hour and five points for service charge before Maria, on recall by that hotel is offered a rate of $5 and two percentage points for service charge. Isn’t this exploitation?”

He stated that when workers are recalled, they are supposed to get the rate that they were getting.

“But they are recalling you now at a rate that is much lower and service charge points that is much lower,” Augustus said. “That has got to be exploitation.”

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19 Comments

  1. HHW
    June 3, 2018

    Thanks Mr Augustus for continuing the struggle. If it quacks like a duck, obviously its a duck. We the law abiding citizens in The Commonwealth of Dominica are very much appreciative of the bold decisions investors are making here in Dominica to use their resources in return for a profit, but we all know the difficulties employees are exposed too. It is not a surprise the dead Labor Ministry is not doing more,( I can recalled a superficial statement was made by the strange Labor commissioner months after the Hurricane layoffs were going on). The people that are supposed to look after the interest of both the employers and employees are on the obvious side.

  2. Rassheed
    May 12, 2018

    It must be a pretty nice feeling when one individual own an Island.

  3. Hmmm
    May 9, 2018

    Really! While those in high position still enjoying their benefits! Do think that’s fair… God is not asleep and those in position will pay!

  4. Joe Budden
    May 9, 2018

    Well I’ll be…

  5. Larry Grell
    May 8, 2018

    So true Mr.Augustus. Have patience they will reap what they sow…..!

  6. May 8, 2018

    The workers don’t have accept reduce wages they can seek employment elsewhere. These unions act as if nothing happened to Dominica. I wonder how much these workers would get paid if they would get employed at Anchorage Hotel. The hotel that Augustas is referring to is been rebuilt it is not at full capacity, businesses must employ new strategies if they are to survive. Businesses can’t act as reckless as government by paying increase salaries and bonuses to workers when revenues down.

  7. DA Citizen
    May 8, 2018

    $6.60 per hour? Is this real? In this day and age? That’s not a living wage. Talk about literally working for peanuts!! And people sit by and accept these things? Wow!!

  8. G
    May 8, 2018

    you can imagine waking up everyday going to a place to spend 8 hours doing work witch you are underpaid for wile being asked to do even more than you are already doing for the same salary…you don’t complain cuz if you do you stand the chance of loosing your job…hmmm….to me that is a form of slavery…a manger would say to their workers be happy that you have a job because how many people out of work ,your lucky…………………………Dominicans are real peace full people……………………………

  9. Tetrahydrocanabinol
    May 8, 2018

    People need to give the private sector a break after all they been thru with the looting.

    • Stand firm
      May 9, 2018

      It is not the fault of everyone that they were looted. Why should their hard working staff have to suffer for this? They have been through alot too.

    • Speak Your Mind
      May 9, 2018

      “People need to give the private sector a break after all they been thru with the looting.”
      Please after they have exploited so many people after so many years. Private sector don’t give a rat about its employees. all they care about is their money and making profit at any cost. I only feel the pain of those who have continued to help its people and continue to the development of its country.

  10. Ibo France
    May 8, 2018

    If a government mistreats its employees then the Private Sector will do the same. A government sets the tone for the country. Public servants have been bawling for an increase in their salaries and this has staunchly been denied by the ruling autocracy. Instead, the totalitarian government hands out a few measly incentives and the union and its members relent. Dominicans lack courage, they are too subservient and too submissive. Every country has the government it deserves.

  11. My bad
    May 8, 2018

    But Skerrit blaming Maria for his failed policies and international airport he allowed Gonsalves to trick him for a plate of food, so y should others not follow his example

  12. May 8, 2018

    Not supprise, D/ca is in a total mess

  13. Quotar
    May 8, 2018

    Haha but what u expect labour ministry is skerite … Land is skerite …house is skerite …. water skerite… none of the ministries operate professionally…a set of bull sheet happening in that country… one solution get rid of skerite gov …problem solved…

  14. jihan
    May 8, 2018

    God is the only hope for Dominica right now,just a bunch of deceitful people in charge,but in due time all of you demise will come.

  15. Neville
    May 8, 2018

    That was to be expected. Skerrit and Co. stay silent.

  16. Shaka Zulu
    May 8, 2018

    The government using maeia to exploit Dominicans. What do you expect.

  17. Jah Kal
    May 8, 2018

    Augustus u can talk i thought u were momo when Latang crying for help u eh say jack. What happen u didn’t get what they promise u we listening.

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