By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Tuesday 28th April 2020) — Deputy Labour Commissioner Dr. Deon Webb has raised a concern that workers in St. Kitts-Nevis are being asked to use their holidays during the period of total lockdown, which goes against the Holidays With Pay Act.
“It has been brought to the attention of the Labour Commissioner’s Office that employees are being asked to use their annual paid holidays on the days when the Federation is on 24 hours lockdown,” he expressed in a statement on Tuesday 28th April 2020.
Dr. Webb cited the Holidays With Pay Act Cap 18.15, Section 3(5): “The annual paid holiday shall be given and taken in one period or, where the employer and worker so agree, in two periods and not otherwise, and every such agreement shall be in writing signed by both employer and worker.”
He also underlined Section 3(8) which requires employers to give workers not less than seven days’ notice before the commencement of an annual paid holiday, and Section 4(2) which requires holiday pay to be paid no later than the day preceding the commencement of such holiday.
“In light of the foregoing, it is unlawful for any employer to apply annual paid holidays outside what is prescribed by the Holidays with Pay Act Cap 18.15,” Dr. Webb concluded.