Nothing short of deplorable.
That’s how the treatment being meted out to ex-LIAT staff who to date are still holding out for monies owed to them since last April.
The position was articulated on social media by an ex-member of staff, in a post which has drummed up the support of many persons across the region who expressed disbelief that the situation facing the staff has not yet been resolved.
The now viral post paints a picture of employee “labouring” for an employer for decades and being sent home without a salary for which they have already worked.
“Imagine the pain of being forced to endure the current global pandemic without any financial help, all while having families to support, bills to pay; and this, in circumstances where that former employer has sent you home without a penny of due entitlements. This is the dark reality for hundreds of former LIAT employees.”
This, the writer said, in an anonymous submission, started back on April 1, 2020 when over 90 percent of LIAT staff were temporarily laid off without being given proper notice and pay.
“In October 2020, approximately 90 percent of the total staff was then made redundant, weeks after the controversial temporary layoff deadline had expired. This group included: pilots, flight attendants, engineers, ground-support personnel, and others.”
It was noted that at the time that the layoffs and terminations were made effective, LIAT was majority owned by four CARICOM shareholder Governments and was publicly touted as an essential service which was critical to regional connectivity.
“The shocking and troubling reality now is that these former employees have not received any monies legally due to them, inclusive of severance entitlements, despite numerous pleas to those who are responsible. This ongoing ordeal is nothing short of despicable.”
“The deplorable handling of this matter is having a catastrophic impact on hundreds of families in the region. Even the innocent children in these households are victims of this injustice, and this is not the Caribbean way.”
“To add insult to injury, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has enacted legislation after the fact that will allow the insolvent LIAT to continue operating whilst completely immune to any form of court action. Subsequently, it was publicly admitted that LIAT is burning through approximately half a million dollars every month; this, while its oppressed former workers suffer.”
It was lamented that after years of industrial relations LIAT continues to leverage itself on the backs of the people who kept it in the sky for 50 years.
“Critical funds that are rightfully owed are being withheld from loyal people who had nothing to do with LIAT’s demise. Even the handful of employees who were fortunate enough to retain their employment, are reportedly being deprived of their salaries/wages. Is this fair?”
“The overall treatment meted out to these hardworking individuals by a CARICOM institution such as LIAT, particularly the withholding of and failure to address something as important and fundamental as severance and other entitlements, is a regional travesty.”