IN light of the recent articles carried in the daily Newspapers (Stabroek News and Kaieteur News) concerning the Singhs vs. Jacobs and the comments made by the Singhs in the article, ‘Couple accused of labour law breach feels vindicated – after maid agrees to drop case’ (Stabroek News, September 22, 2010), the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs strongly decries the discriminatory and derogatory remarks including insinuation of ethnic discrimination with respect to the employment of Amerindians, made by the Singhs, in the course of relating the case to the press.
The Ministry categorically wishes to state that a collaborative response with the relevant Ministry and Agencies was the approach taken to resolve the matter of the case in question and would like to make clear the issues surrounding it.
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs intervened in the matter on September 16, 2010, following a report that a female employee was being held against her will at a residence located at lot 38 Cummings Street, Georgetown.
The intervention led not only to the removal of the female employee from her place of work but the relevant agencies and the Ministry of Labour addressed labour issues which surfaced during the examination of the situation.
Thus far, the labour aspect of the case has been addressed, resulting in the signing of an agreement that speaks to the resolution of the labour matter (wages).
However, the other aspects of alleged sexual advances and non-payment of NIS in favour of the employee are still ongoing and will remain on the agenda for follow-up by the respective agencies. The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs will remain alert as to the progress of the case.
With respect to certain sections of the media suggesting Trafficking in Person (TIP), this is ruled out. However, the fact that Ms.  Jacob did admit that she was being held against her will clearly amounts to a breach of the individual human right.
The claim that they (Singhs) “feel vindicated after their maid agreed to drop the case and that the Ministry owes them an apology” are insensitive and uncalled for since investigations into the other aspects of the matter are ongoing. And the Ministry’s responsiveness and involvement to providing representation and ensuring  that due process is followed is a responsibility that the Ministry undertakes without prejudice.
The matter under investigation is not new to the Ministry, because in June of this year, the Ministry had cause to investigate a similar incident involving the same couple (Singhs) and an Amerindian house-keeper.  It is unfortunate that Ms. Singh would make (disparaging)  remarks of hiring another person of Amerindian ancestry when she had hired a person of the same ethnic background and similar occurrences were reported, except that that the earlier case was not widely publicised.
The Ministry therefore restates its objection to the tone and use of unethical languages to describe their former employee, an Amerindian person, and notes that it reflects poorly on the couple involved.
The Ministry stands firm in providing representation of any such case that may be brought before us and to ensure that where the rights of Amerindians are suspected of being violated that such case/individual is provided with fair investigation and representation.