......THIS MADNESS. IT WOULD BE BETTER IF THEY DIDNT GIVE THESE PEOPLE A JOB AT ALL.

By TAMARA McKENZIE, Assistant News Editor

tamara@nasguard.com

Three women employed as maintenance workers at the Ministry of Works expressed shock and outrage Friday after they were abruptly issued termination letters. The women claimed that they were also issued a severance check that does not amount to a sum that they actually deserve.

Vandell Bethel, 30, Melissa Murphy, 26, and Enid Falconer, 26, say they want to be reinstated and yesterday lamented about being "victimized," as only four of the 12 individuals who were hired as maintenance workers on April 16, shortly before the May 2 general poll, actually received termination letters.

"I honestly feel as if I was victimized because I never received notice that I would be on the job for a certain length of time, and only some of us got letters," Falconer explained. "I filled out an application form of employment and when we got hired we gave all of our documents to human resources. We did not get hired by an MP [member of Parliament] and we are not contracted workers. We personally delivered our stuff to the ministry and this was not a political appointment."

But Works Minister Earl Deveaux told The Guardian earlier this week that the firings were likely to be done in many of the ministries over the next few weeks after more than 200 people were discovered to be working without official letters of appointment. He explained that in his ministry, some 47 people were hired this year between April 16 and 30 and only 21 had letters of appointment on month-to-month terms. "They were not hired on permanent pensionable conditions," Deveaux maintained.

The three women, on the other hand, claim that when they were hired on April 16, they were repeatedly told that letters of employment "were coming" and once they received them they would get their monthly salary of $891. The women said they therefore worked for the past four months without pay, hoping that they would receive a lump sum from the government when their employment status was confirmed with a letter.

"We were thinking that when they called us yesterday [Thursday] they were calling us for our confirmation letters to let us know that we were officially employed, but it turned out to be a termination letter," Falconer said. "They did not give us a warning or anything."

The termination letter, dated Aug. 21, was signed by Works Permanent Secretary Colin Higgs. It outlined that the women were only issued "temporary" employment with the ministry from April 16 to Sept. 30, 2007 at a salary of $10,700 per annum. A check in the amount of $3,043.46, representing payment for the period of April 16 to July 31, 2007 was also enclosed.

"Please note that your last day of employment with the Ministry of Works and Transport will be Sept. 30, 2007," the letter outlined. "May I take this opportunity to thank you for your services and to wish you all the best in your future endeavors."

The three women claimed they made attempts earlier this week to meet face-to-face with Deveaux at this office, but their attempts proved fruitless.

Meanwhile, Bethel who has five children, said her termination from the ministry was "hurtful" as she has five children to support who are still in school. "They have to realize that people have children. People have bills," Bethel said. "I have not bought uniforms yet for school and the money they gave me still can't pay my bills. They [the government] don't know how my children will eat, but they just can dismiss me like that? I really don't like that. We are actually willing to work."

Murphy, a single mother of four, said she is saddened that her job was terminated after working hard for the past four months without pay, and Falconer, a mother of two, said the government is not sensitive to the fact that she has no idea of how she will survive without a job.

It is sad they lost their jobs though. I wonder why they could not put them to work elsewhere, even if not in the same post.

However, the lady with 5 kids, I would hope that she could really locate a better job earning more, as $200 a week is not enough to properly support a family that size. :(

It is sad they lost their jobs though. I wonder why they could not put them to work elsewhere, even if not in the same post.
However, the lady with 5 kids, I would hope that she could really locate a better job earning more, as $200 a week is not enough to properly support a family that size. :(



I agree that it is tough, but if you do not have an appointment letter you are not an employee.The Ministry did not have to give them anything really. Maybe some can get jobs at Fred Mitchell's Law office, or maybe Alfred Gray's that would be good politics.

It IS very sad to hear. But I must ask...5 children at age 30???

It IS very sad to hear. But I must ask...5 children at age 30???


To be honest, no matter how much we say "close ya legs nex time" or "these people dumb and ignant" or "why aren't they smart like me"....does not make the situation go away.

This is a part of the "serious issues" in the Bahamas. This is it.

Now, to be honest, the market forces have their pick of the litter yet again, because, image wise, they have socially damaged people, who can work as they have been vetted by the public service, but they will be working for little or next to little when they try to get jobs for the christmas; the infamous Christmas rush work and sales. The market forces have won, and people, yet again, are forced to glut the private services market for pennies, with no security and no future stability to hold onto.

I don't believe for a second the PLP would have fired these people after election; regardless of their political persuasion. In fact, they did not do it to the FNMs in 2002, so, do you think they would fire their own supporters, or the people they hire and not fire FNMs in the process; if in fact this is the case?

I have said my peice on this, and it never fails me to use my own common sense. It may not be blatant vicitimization, but, I say to the people who feel it, call it what you like, because, it is you out of a job and it is the end of the year.

Anyone in the private sector, from middle management down to bottom $175.00 entry, should be quaking in their boots because yet again, their jobs are on the line and it takes nothing more than personality, as we have seen it, to get fired from a private company in the Bahamas; regardless of how good of a worker you are. Fact is, those jobs like; Kelly's cashier, Gas station store clerk and manager, warehouse worker and liquor store attendant, come at a dime a dozen and it does not take a brain surgeon to work at one of these places, and these people are replaceable; easily. Sadly, the job market is full of them as en-masse, Bahamians like these people who got the heave ho from the public service via Earl Deveaux, will go on the hunt and will be left wanting in many instances. And, the people who they replace, will be on the door looking the same way.

What do you expect them to do?
:gi:

They een stop breedin; the lady has 5 kids. She gat at least 10 more baby making years on her. She ain't has not thought out her position carefully, as she would not have five kids and be wanting to work for pennies for the public service; even though it is secure. She ain't goin away, and her kids een ga die, or at least she een ga let them die beacause of a cruel and inhumane government. And she een ga buy protection, because she een gat no job to buy protection.

This move creates problems for all of us. Every single one of us. These people are back into the society, idle, out of work, and their kids are hungry. If they happen to find work, in the private sector, which is even more merciless than the government has been as of late, how do you expect them to take care of their next generation? This is what welfare and assistance, in light of the circumstances is supposed to do.

I feel for them, and I feel in advance for the people who will have to live with their wrath in the Christmas months and afterwards in the January month. This is going to be one painful Christmas back home.
:tdown:

Market forces weed out the weak, the chupid, and the unlucky. The more people die, the more work there is for grave diggers, embalming folk and the funeral home. For too long we have been taking our position for granted. We need to act like our future is on the line every day.The world is a tough place and we will not be coddled. Step up and plan or wither on the vine. Why allyuh think alien working so hard in school, just for pretty?

Market forces weed out the weak, the chupid, and the unlucky.
Is this how you feel my friend? You cannot be serious.


The more people die, the more work there is for grave diggers, embalming folk and the funeral home.
Are you sure you are a Bahamian bro? You can't be born in the same country with me. Not only is this ridiculous, as just because they can't get a secure job they would die quick, but, to say that about other Bahamians is incredibly selfish and self centered, cold and ill thought out. Burma road can happen again you know. Just that this time, it will be more bloody as you leave people with the idea that "you are disgusted with them" and the notion that you refuse to remove yourself away from your own mindset, to even think about helping.

Is this what the Bahamas has come to?

I see why the country is in the cold callous position it is in.....


For too long we have been taking our position for granted. We need to act like our future is on the line every day.
You can't force that on anyone but yourself. If people, take other things for living serious, then, it is their life. Now, we can accomodate them if they are willing to participate in making a "piece" of this country better, but, you can't make them be what you want them to be, because you feel you are the bestest brightest cat on the block.


The world is a tough place and we will not be coddled.
So you are going to bring as much pain as you can, so you can make people see the seriousness aye?

You cannot be a Bahamian...in fact, if you are a Bahamian, I am sad by your sentiments and feelings.


Step up and plan or wither on the vine.
YOU, step up and let the society make it on it's own. I will tell you however, there is more to saying "step up" than just stepping up. To long some of these people, have been living in a dream state, because they got on their knee's, or their mother's got on their knee's, gave a heads up to a few people, and they got a chance, they feel that that is the way it has to be; with ill regard to what it takes to make it. This is the problem, in addition to this, you have lost any credible idea on how to make it. The simple view or statement would be to say "step up", but, the sensible person would say, do not covet your neighbour, and, be considerate to people.....lies won't cut it.
Let that take you where you want it.



Why allyuh think alien working so hard in school, just for pretty?

Nah. It is my choice. I chose this, but, won't force my understanding on what I WANT, on anyone else, and kill them, for the mistakes, or, the life they chose.

It would be ignorant of me, in fact, that is not the Bahamian in me. Don't know what country you were borne in, but, if you are a Bahamian you should not be considered with the decent, sensible lot who gives a heck about "growing our people".
:tdown:

Your wife and parents must be proud. Proud indeed.

It IS very sad to hear. But I must ask...5 children at age 30???


Lets see, one woman with 5 children, and one single with 4 children. Where are the fathers here to aid in support of these children. No mention of husbands.

Lets see, one woman with 5 children, and one single with 4 children. Where are the fathers here to aid in support of these children. No mention of husbands.


they're probably at home with their wives....or girlfriends.

it will soon become the official (and acceptable) norm to have your very own basketball team under one roof. a bunch of kids, all with different surnames, listening to that one sole voice they call, coa----i mean, mom.

I don't believe for a second the PLP would have fired these people after election; regardless of their political persuasion. In fact, they did not do it to the FNMs in 2002, so, do you think they would fire their own supporters, or the people they hire and not fire FNMs in the process; if in fact this is the case?
I have said my peice on this, and it never fails me to use my own common sense. It may not be blatant vicitimization, but, I say to the people who feel it, call it what you like, because, it is you out of a job and it is the end of the year.



It is interesting to note that s caring PLP government only decided to give these individuals contracts with as expiration date of 3 months or on a month to month biases. The question I ask is why they were not given proper contracts. With this in mind I see it only was a political ploy on the less fortunate.

It is interesting to note that s caring PLP government only decided to give these individuals contracts with as expiration date of 3 months or on a month to month biases.
We have people in the civil service who have been like that since the 80s. In fact, plenty of people who have been hired are still in that position.

The question I ask is why they were not given proper contracts.
Ask the civil service leadership. We have people who have been working like this for years, so, when they don't stand up for you, anyone can take you down. As we have been seeing.

With this in mind I see it only was a political ploy on the less fortunate.

It has never been a practice to fire these people like this. It has never happened before, so, how can you think it would have happened now under the PLP if they had won. There was an operation second chance underway, and it was meaningful.

This conspiracy nut theories of political ploys, when there is a definite need to hire some of these people as they were, is just what it is. Either the FNM don't want to know or face the issues, or, they refuse to deal with it. Which would only make matters worse in my opinion.

Now, I can tell you about political plosys Mr. So-called objective. LOL....
Want me to start, and I double dare you to touch it.

they're probably at home with their wives....or girlfriends.
it will soon become the official (and acceptable) norm to have your very own basketball team under one roof. a bunch of kids, all with different surnames, listening to that one sole voice they call, coa----i mean, mom.


LOL....
Our grandmothers and mothers have been doing this. This is nothing new in the Bahamas, don't know which Bahamas you live in.

Yet again, I understand why you think and say what you do. In any event, it serves us no good, because it does not help in ways to find better solutions. Just allows for some of these people, to up and say how good they are, and the rest of us, are not as good as them so they should be like us to be better.

LOL....
Our grandmothers and mothers have been doing this. This is nothing new in the Bahamas, don't know which Bahamas you live in.
Yet again, I understand why you think and say what you do. In any event, it serves us no good, because it does not help in ways to find better solutions. Just allows for some of these people, to up and say how good they are, and the rest of us, are not as good as them so they should be like us to be better.


but if u don't let folks know that there's an alternative route.....(aka what you call being 'better than others').....then they will continue down the same road.

i know what type of Bahamas i live in....and i see where it's getting us.

there's nothing wrong with trying to present alternatives. when you know better, you do better.


and uh.....MY grandmothers and mother did NOT go that route. every child had the same last name....that of her husband's. guess what.....their mothers?.....same thing.

Market forces weed out the weak, the chupid, and the unlucky.
For the most part true, sad but true. But that is how it works.
The more people die, the more work there is for grave diggers, embalming folk and the funeral home.
If one is in those trades I guess so. But one thing for sure, we all goin' to meet those folks sooner or later.
For too long we have been taking our position for granted.
Always a danger. One should take noting for granted - ever!
We need to act like our future is on the line every day.
Indeed we do because it is.
The world is a tough place and we will not be coddled.
and it seems to get tougher each day. We need to get tougher too, not hard-hearted, but tougher. Perhaps the better word would be smarter.
Step up and plan or wither on the vine.
How does the saying go? "He who fails to plan, plans to fail."
Why allyuh think alien working so hard in school, just for pretty?
Because he is not weak or stupid? As for the unlucky part, only time will tell. He also had a plan and took nothing for granted?

Now, I can tell you about political plosys Mr. So-called objective. LOL....
Want me to start, and I double dare you to touch it.


Go ahead make my day I am intrigued! This sounds promising.