GOVERNMENT is trying its best to provide relief to the laid-off workers of Toucan Connection Incorporated, President David Granger has said. He said that the laying off of the workers in August is of great concern to him. “I am and we are deeply concerned about the impact it will have on the employment situation in Linden,” the President told Guyana Chronicle last Friday. He said government is working to see how best it can provide “relief where it is possible”. “It is a private enterprise matter and we of course are deeply concerned about the impact it will have on the employment situation in this community.”
Asked whether he has seen a report on the St. Kitts based Toucan Connections matter by the Ministry of Social Protection, the President said no. “Once I get the report, I’d probably discuss it at Cabinet next Tuesday,” he said.
Following the abrupt closure of the Call Centre, the Department of Labour was summoned to investigate the laying off of the ninety Toucan Connection workers. That company, has been accused of breaching Guyana’s labour laws by closing its doors without giving the employees prior notice and moreover their benefits. It was discovered that the company was not paying the employees’ National Insurance Scheme contributions or the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax although monies were deducted from the salaries of the workers.
Recently, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Simona Broomes told Guyana Chronicle that her ministry is working to see how best the situation can be quelled. She said, a report has been compiled and is with the subject minister Volda Lawrence. “This is not a closed matter, the workers have to be paid,” said Broomes.
Toucan Connections has said it was unaware that the severance package was the company’s responsibility.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Renis Morian said he is hopeful that the laid off workers can receive their benefits. He said the situation is an “undesirable one” that leaves much to be desired. Morian, who wants a speedy conclusion to the matter, said he was also in communication with senior representatives of Toucan Connection. The Regional Chairman said, “I want to give them ample time to correct” the situation. According to Morian, he is working towards a “win-win solution” and wants to have an amicable solution to the problem. “I want to give them enough time,” Morian stressed, while noting that he intends to meet with the displaced workers next week. The Regional Chairman is optimistic that discussions with the company will bear fruit. Attempts to contact Ministers Lawrence and Broomes on the matter have proved futile.