Parliamentary Representative of the Roseau Central constituency, Joseph Isaac and former employees of the recently closed ‘Caribbean Call Centre’ (CCC) in Roseau are appealing to the government of Dominica to assist in making sure they are paid.
The employees said they feel that they are being scammed by the company which closed its doors on Friday, June 17, 2016.
The company, which employed some 60 people and which began operations in at the Prevo Cinemal in March, blamed the closure on a customer, with which it had contractual arrangements, failing to meet financial obligations.
Former employees said that they have not been paid for about six weeks (three fortnights) and are demanding payments from management.
The former employees and Isaac believe that only the government can assist in the matter right now.
“I believe the government alone the can help us get that money because everywhere we go they are saying that they cannot help us,” employees told Dominica News Online (DNO) on Tuesday. “We feel like we are being disrespected and scammed. You cannot have us doing all that run around and can’t be straight forward and honest. It is a financial situation and the best place to go is the head of finance, so we are calling on the Prime Minister to stretch his hand and use his powers.”
They vow that they are not going to stop until they are paid.
They are also contemplating legal action but said they face financial difficulties.
“We want to take legal actions but to do so a certain amount of finance is needed,” they stated.
Isaac is standing in solidarity with the former employees, saying the government should assist through the National Employment Program (NEP).
“The government should step in,” he said on Q-95’s the Hot Seat on Tuesday morning. “I also think the government should look into litigation in regards to the company but in the short term, the government should facilitate compensation under the National Employment Programme (NEP) to ensure that all commitment that employees have they can meet those commitments.”
He stated that it is heartbreaking that when young positive people, who are struggling, get some work “they are left with holding the blade.”
“I really want to ask the government especially Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs also to get involved,” he urged.
Isaac also called for the involvement of the Minister of Commerce “because this is a company who came from outside.”
“I don’t know if we gave them concessions but the government really have a stake in the matter,” he remarked. “The young people are in a bind, they worked, they didn’t get paid…”
Isaac said the government has a moral, legal and ethical obligation to step in and not turn the situation into a political matter.
The MP for Roseau made it clear that he is not here to cast judgement or to blame the government, “but since due diligence was carried out then the government has a responsibility and a part to play in it.”
The former employees have alleged poor working conditions, exploitation and unfair treatment by management and have written to the Labour Commissioner, Dr. Matthew ‘Ross’ LeBlanc on the matter.
Only in D.A. Last year my place of work when bankrupts and I still got paid. So don’t understand ..were is the law when you need it. Da nice boy ..but I am hoping to come back home one day but it not looking good.
These are some serious times in Dominica. I empathize with the workers.
Maybe you guys can go to legal aid as a group and take action against them, for example getting an injunction so that they cannot remove any equipment or liquidate any of their assets until you are able to be paid, or something like that. I’m not a legal mind but I think instead trying to get action from government (a lost cause), this may be a better way to go.
The same thing happen to us at call767 we were never paid for the last month before they closed over 2 hundred of us all I can say welcome to the club. these so called employers will get their day.
This is all to common in Dominica, employers get away with murder and employee left to suck salt and nobody seems to be able to address their situations whilst the employer living life large..
Hi
A few mins searching the net found this, www carribbeancallcentre.net, nice web page for a company that was only in business for six weeks, boilerplate out of Serbia. Go to their contacts page and besides the local number you will find this NBR FR +596696 05 00 02 do a search on that and you will find “bingo” www callappel.com, a rather large telemarketing company in France. More u ask, if you look in their forums you can even find find inquiries from people in Dominica asking about starting a call center. But enough, I get the feeling, got tired of waiting for browser to translate, that they sell franchise’s for people wanting to start a telemarketing center, I can bet there is a clause in the contract that states the parent company is not responsible in anyway for the franchise. So good luck getting anything out of them. As for holding your government responsible for you everytime you stub your toe, that is silly, other than a courtesy investigation your government is to…
See life in our country.. Foreign based companies coming to have us untidy. The local entities we have here already not hiring. If the government was providing the jobs people wouldn’t be in that tie up. It rough #DesperateTimes
To the employees. I am sure there are attorneys here who can assist you pro bono. That is free or until the matter is settled. You can also seek the asistance of the WAWU. They can refuse to handle any equipment of the company that they wish to ship out of Dominica in solidarity with you. Thirdly, you all must remain vigilante concerning the movement of any of the equipment from its present base – location. That is to enure the equipment is not moved to any other location where they can be sold without your knowing. Keep a keen eye on the “Mall”. Find out too whether the rent has been paid.
[The MP for Roseau made it clear that he is not here to cast judgement or to blame the government, “but since due diligence was carried out then the government has a responsibility and a part to play in it.”] Who conducted that due diligence exercise Mr. Isaac? I dare suspect a very important piece of missing information. Something you are not very proud of or very reluctant to tell the public. But the employees must be paid. Here we go again. The National Employment Program (NEP) is targetted for making such payments to the unfortunate employees. The NEP has been savaged by the likes of Mr. Isaac. It suits him now, politically, to finally see some virtue in the NEP. Dem fellas again! Flip-flopping as the time and days changes.
As usual spewing wickedness, showing no love or sympathy for those young people in their sad plight.
NE who? NEP? Where is the money deducted from their salary but not paid to DSS? wicked.
Who gave the Co. permission to operate? DNO, me, opposition? Wicked. So that co. did not have to get any permission to set up their business?
In whose interest is the President of the National Youth Council?
I have not heard the National Youth Council, nor its President on that matter, none of them. Working to pick up a political seat is more important, more about self. The plight of those 60 + youths means nothing. That’s not his interest.
Not all of us will climb up Financial Centre to beg.
Where are the voices of our Youth, as well as the elders. There is a deafening silence. If it was some foreign friends of those in “high Places”, they would have acted long time. Gov’t set up foreigners making millions selling our passports, while our youths are thrown under…
Some people of this island never fail to amaze me with their level of ignorance,unenlightened naive reasoning which makes them looks backward in the eyes of the world.For someone for whatever reason, to think that the government does not have a say and interest in what’s happening to these unpaid employees,is ridiculous.Of course the government has to intervene and it’s not the duty of the employees to find out whether the company was legit. Once they were allowed to do business in the country and recruited workers, it means that the government did all it’s powers to make sure the employers were safe.First of all they suppose to register with Invest Dominica Authority, Social Security and Inland Revenue Department. Knowing how this illegal rogue government of Dominica have been operating,i will not be surprised that these corrupt politicians must have benefited with under the table deals from that fraudulent company and therefore does not care about the employees who are not paid.
@Reasoning, some of what you said is true. You said, (First of all they suppose to register with Invest Dominica Authority, Social Security and Inland Revenue Department.) you are right. On the other hand, this is where you made it political by saying, (Knowing how this illegal rogue government of Dominica have been operating, I will not be surprised that these corrupt politicians must have benefited with under the table deals from that fraudulent company and therefore does not care about the employees who are not paid). The reason why I am pointing this out, we are to quick at name calling and bashing just because we don’t support an administration. If the company presented its credentials to government and it was legit, then the gov has done the right thing by allowing this company to do business. Same as the person who rent to this company. The government is not responsible for these employees not getting paid. The employees need to sue the Company to get their money.
I disagree with Mr. Joseph for suggesting that government should use the NEP to help the unpaid employees. Now if the employees were employed by the NEP working at CCC then Mr. Joseph would be absolutely correct. These employees choose to work for CCC so it is their responsibility to come together as a group and file a lawsuit to get money from CCC.
How come we are not hearing the LANDLORD asking for rent? Was all rent paid?
Joseph Isaac did I hear you clearly? The Same NEP? Are you serious Joseph Isaac?
Zor pas feb. All you not easy
MIA, YOU ARE SO CORRECT AS TO HOW THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE APPROACH.What Isaac is? a PalRep, lawyer, union? Did Prevost get his rent. Isaac must tell us about the bridge that is building now. instead he try to get NEP MONEY.
I don’t mean to be insensitive about this matter ,,Because I am very
empathetic towards the people who have lost their jobs but does everything
has to be political .Why didn’t the employes deal with this without making it a political issue
to it. .Were they not on the radio station …could they not go to the Govt first
before they turn this into politics,,,,Companies go out of business all the time
I really wish they get some help but ,,,it seems that they blaming the Govt for everything
They wrote letters to the authorites. They have bern met with government authorities who instead of looking to asdist the young people they would call company top brass to rat out the young people who are actively pursuing their dues.
The thing with this foolish mentality of party before country is that it freezes our blood. We have become numb. When lur party in pkwer politicizes everything it is fine. When bad things happen our party in power is absolved of any responsibility.
It would be quite naive to think that while millions were being spent in Soufriere that the government was not aware of the situation with the call center.
It’s not making it political, these people are simply expressing their grievances and saying that this is the only way where they see the could get help, making it political would have sounded different. Remember saying the word government in a statement doesn’t make that statement political.
I hope these employees will receive some compensation as soon as possible to assist them with their obligations. It creates anxiety and stress for those who worked and did not receive their salary. They were depending on it and looked forward to receiving it in order to honor their obligations.
They are within their rights to be angry and to pursue the necessary channels to recoup their income. I do wish you well employees.
The problem with a Labor Department. they do not have funding and cannot get funding to give employees who lost their jobs. There should be a department in Dominica which assists the unemployed and in such a situation.
The government should establish one so that when nationals face such a situation, the department could assist them. If one was established, there would be no need for them to go to the government/finance minister per se. This department would also alleviate this onus on the PM. He has enough to do. This should not be his responsibility.
In light of what u are implying, I could see other companies would come on island and put up business, employed workers and within a short space of time, they could close down shop and move out without paying their workers and hoping that these Funding Agencies would turn around and pay those employees.
I do hope that these employees could come together and consult a solicitor who could start working on their case to relieve their stress .
I did not imply that. Therefore, do not put words where they do not belong. You twisted and turned what I did not mean.
I mean well for the employees. I visualize how they feel without pay and hope they receive some money to tide them over.
Since the government does not have a department whereby they could receive some emergency funding, this is the reason why one should be established soon enough for employees as they.
Other enterprises will one day come to Dominica and set up shop. Employees must be protected that they are not left out in the cold with no salary. Hope this does not recur in future.
Pure Slackness……….Where are the lawsuits……….people should be suing these guys for their negligence……Caribbean Call Center should’ve gotten all their stuff together before they hired all that people and look at it now it went bust in less than 6 months…….lol
PAY THEM THEIR MONEY…NOW!!!!
Joseph isaac are you for real you want the same government run by the hon. DR ROOSEVELT SKERRIT to put a hand and help you, but u vomitting and eating it back , isaac i thought the government corupt and theif, boy never spit up it will always fall in your face. I hope u know what u saying
Explain to us in what way you believe honourable Isaac wants the government to help him…I am certain you did not understand what you read.
So Isaac wrong to plee for assistance on behalf of the unfortunate workers? Where you be there your bread maybe well butter, you want to make Isaac the issue
Absolutely the governor should bear some of the blame.
Before a company is given the green light to operate a background check need to done by the foreign and trade department.
They should ask to have a certain amount of money on deposit apart from their invested and operating expense.
They review the industry that they are going to establish and where necessary ask for copy of contracts, license.
Sorry government as oppose to governor.
Merci Merina Mckenzie from Blue Blue. Which governor you talking about? And it seems you have all the answers. Merci encore
If you were a listener to the former employees of Caribbean call center it sounded more like a telemarketing business, one exemployee said she called one person six times, another one said they called someone who had passed away and they are very careful not say what it was they were marketing. The united states has very strong laws on “Do Not Call” and call blocking, when enough complaints come in the FCC is very quick to threaten fines and shut there nbrs down. The united states cannot come to Dominica to collect money owed to them by Dominicans who have ran out on debts just as Dominica cannot run to the USA to collect from Dominicans who have run, plenty of examples come to mind too. Try NEP next time.
I think that should be handled as a fraud case and the Government should be held responsible. The company cannot start that type of business without the Government approval. The owners names and all their links should be revealed. I truly feel for the young people, there are some who left other jobs just to work there because they thought they were going to be better off there.
Its sad how we are being treated in this country, only those with money and a name can get to and through the Government. What happen to all shall eat, what happened to Government for all the people?
Sad times.
This is not a fault of the government , the employees supposed to find out about the people they was working for before even starting up……………….thats the smartest thing that supposed to be done SMH yall to like to blame the government for everything :
@ darky, it’s also the government duty to see that companies like these don’t come to Dominica and take advantage of it citizens. You guys in Dominica mixing politics in every thing. That’s one of the reasons Dominica is the way it is.
Easy to say. It is not difficult to know or detect if they are authentic companies or not. Time will tell when they establish themselves, commence operation and thereafter.
mind me am not a dominican yall for allu self i good way i dey kemem, yall too like to blame toe government for every damn thing that happen, they allu go stay and so skerrit laughing allu smh
This company claimed they were legit. They showed their certified, had someone from IDA speak with employees. But they fired and paid those who said their company was fraud. Why can’t the pay their employees.
Darkey, it is obvious you dont understand the role of the citizens and the role of Government. In that case you need to do some more reading, before writing.
hush your stupid mouth because before the call center was open the company was legit just that something went wrong somewhere, you that should read more and stop blaming the damn government
Your comment is so dumb.
Stop talking rubbish.
They did not open fish and baked shop.
They came into Dominica and opened a company.
It was the government responsibility to throughly investigate and even requested a bond if necessary to protect Dominican workers and their assets.
If one finds out that a company does not compensate employees they will not seek employment at such establishment;
however, that was not the case.
the Govt. is suppose to vet who they giving license to operate in this country and i think that Dominica is a magnet for crooks and scammers.
This is not possible or could not have been possible. People are eager to be employed. Since the office was stationed in Dominica, they applied for the job. In view of this, it was the smartest thing they could have done.
Huh? Seriously so a call centre open in the country and you get a job, now you have to research? Since when?
But wait padna, your party not against the same NEP ??
“Isaac is standing in solidarity with the former employees, saying the government should assist through the National Employment Program (NEP).”
Can somebody tell this burnt bulb that his comment is nonsensical !!!Oops, I said it.So because Honourable Isaac would rather see sustainable employment rather than NEP, he must shut up…Well let me tell this burnt bulb something..I do not like the governance that DLPhas given us over the last 16 years
IT is myopic,evil,inept,greedy and corrupt, and I SHALL not stop saying so… WELL DONE HONOURABLE ISAAC!!!
Do not be narrow-minded. The NEP helps nationals to be trained and obtain employment. I do not see why they could not help them, if it is possible.
What difference it makes if one is against it? Everyone has an opinion and preference which they are entitled to. In times of necessity, if this section helps others, it also can assist them. Their job was not a permanent one.
I think the labor department should get involve in the matter, its not the government and again since they had written to labor division already.
The NEP will come in when or if it has to but first they should take it by steps, the government is always the last resort in this situation. I do hope the employees good lock in the negotiations, the company should start selling its assets to meet its final obligations to its employees.
I replied to your comment. Somehow it became an original. I do not know how this occurred.
I can bet that over half of them employees probably applied to NEP before that company even came to existence here in Dominica, to get no response.. Local companies ain’t hiring, others ain’t paying we, the government should be providing adequate jobs in the first place, to Dominicans & not to who they want
Can the Govt. employed all the students leaving school, what about the private sectors and self employment?