By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 4th February 2022) — Police vehicles were on patrol on Thursday 3rd February 2022, as officers monitored a protest march activity which saw at least 10 participants — mostly former workers of private company TDC — following a police statement which warned individuals not to take part in any such “unlawful event.” Two TDC workers, Donnie Rawlins and Gwenadine Pemberton, had appeared on Freedom FM’s ‘Issues’ programme the day before, making claims relating to themselves and other former workers who were not satisfied about their treatment as unvaccinated employees and questioned the calculation of monies in their matters, including wanting their severance pay.
The police statement read: “The High Command of The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has become aware of an unlawful protest being organised. No application requesting permission for any group or person to organise, coordinate and/or host a procession in any public space in Basseterre was submitted to the Commissioner of Police. Any such event found to be taking place on Thursday, February 03, 2022, will be in contravention of the Public Order Act, as well as the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Act, and will be considered unlawful.”
Despite the warning, participants proceeded. Former TDC worker Vaughn Warner said: “We decided we have to do what we have to do. Being terminated under what guise of the law? A company firing you for a reason that they didn’t state in the letter and giving you three months’ pay to survive on, after 21 years, I find that to be rude, disgusting and wicked. We have people being terminated after 33, 27 and 25 years — same treatment.” Donnie Rawlins added: “After 33 years and 8 months, they give me three months’ pay and throw me through the door. We need our severance pay. We calling on the Prime Minister to show his support and his strength for people of this nation who are suffering.”