The union which represents former Saint Lucia employees of the regional airline, LIAT, has expressed grave concern over the payment of severance and other benefits to them.
Regional media reports indicate that hundreds of former employees are owed about EC$80 million in severance payments.
In the case of Saint Lucia, the estimated 30 former LIAT workers are said to be owed some one million EC dollars in severance and vacation pay.
But court-appointed administrator, Cleveland Seaforth, has been quoted as saying that the former workers will not get their cash anytime in the near future.
Seaforth said the carrier does not have the money.
“It is a matter of grave concern because the employees in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean have given many years of service,” the Industrial Relations Specialist at the National Workers Union (NWU) here has said.
According to Lawrence Poyotte, LIAT workers have played an important role in regional integration.
“It’s a bit unfortunate at this stage that after so many years they are uncertain as to what will happen to their terminal benefits,” Poyotte told St Lucia Times.
The NWU official disclosed that the union, after meeting with the administrator, submitted its position on severance and other benefits.
“So when he goes before the courts this month, the position of Saint Lucia and the Saint Lucia employees will be clear,” Poyotte explained.
He would however, not be drawn on the Saint Lucia position, asserting that the matter was at a sensitive stage.
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