Gloomy Christmas for scores of families in St. Kitts and Nevis as PM Harris’ office despatch termination letters

By: Erasmus Williams 

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 6, 2017 – It will be a gloomy Christmas for scores of persons working for the Team Unity Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.

There are reports that the Office of Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris has continued his victimization of persons in the public sector by sending out scores of termination letters.

At least two letters have been posted on social media informing persons that they have no jobs.

A letter dated November 30, 2017 from Dr. Harris’ office to Ms. Kemelita Gilbert-Henry, Home Care Manager at the United States Government financed New Horizons Rehabilitation Centre informed her that the Team Unity Government “will not have need of your services after 31^st December 2017.”

“Arrangements are being put in place, therefore, for you to be separated from the Service with effect from 1^stJanuary 2018,” said the letter signed by Torfrida Rochester, chief Personnel Office of the Human Resource Management Department in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Customs Officer at the Customs and Excuse Department, Mr. Derrick Fyfield received a letter from the Skills Training Empowerment Program terminating his services.

“Please be informed that the Ministry of the OPM (Office of the Prime Minister) has advised that payments (Wages to you from the STEP be discontinued with effect from 30^thNovember 2017. You are to complete the necessary vacation application form for you to proceed on leave with effect from Friday 1^stDecember 2017,” the letter dated 30^thNovember signed by Wendell Wattley, Director of STEP said

Since taking office in mid-February 2015, Prime Minister Harris has presided over the victimisation of hundreds of workers in the government service.

Dr. Harris’ actions have been condemned by Member of Parliament for St. Christopher 2 (Central Basseterre), Hon. Marcella Liburd.

She accused the Team Unity Government of Prime Minister Harris of “trampling on the peoples’ rights to free speech, freedom of the press and peoples’ rights to freedom of association.”

“We have seen the dismissals of workers at every level. We have seen the treatment of persons who go to work daily, given no task (and) disrespecting them hoping that they would leave. This abuse of power is rampant in government departments and institutions,” said Liburd.

Parliamentary Representative for West Basseterre, Hon Konris Maynard has been calling on civic organisations to stand up for the hundreds of persons who have been victimised by the ruling coalition government of Prime Minister Harris.

“I am calling on the present church and all churches in our society to stand up for the welfare of the people. Those who have been victimized, those have been thrown out of their jobs. Where is your voice? said Maynard.

Copies of letters