THE abrupt closure of the St Kitts-based Toucan Connections Incorporated has devastated the lives of many of the 90 odd youths from Linden who were employed there. And though Government has promised to take legal action against the company, workers are still deeply concerned about the payment of their severance package.
Twenty-year-old Rashawna Aaron, a former student of Wisburg Secondary School is one of the laid-off employees who is now back in the hustings for a job.
Aaron told the Chronicle that she worked as a Customer Service Representative at the company for approximately seven months before being laid off. Her being out of a job has left her in financial hardships. “It is hard on me, it is hard on my family…my mom is pushing me to get a job, it has been sometime since I left school.”
Aaron begun working at Toucan Connections in January and said she loved her job. According to her, she and other Customer Service Representatives were required to work for two weeks after which they were required to stay at home until they received a call from their supervisors. “We worked every two weeks, then we stay home and they call us back to work when they are ready.” Aaron explained what transpired in August when the company closed operations without paying severance to the affected workers.
“The last day I worked was the 7th of August, and like I told you after working two weeks they would call you back to work. They called us on August 31, but when we thought was to work, we were told that there was a meeting. They told us not to come back.”
According to the young woman, no reason was provided. The Chronicle understands that the company may have closed its doors due to financial constraints. “I feel bad about this situation, I enjoyed my job and now I am struggling to get a new job… it is really hard,” Aaron told this newspaper.
“No money was released, they just sent us home. It is a tough situation,” she lamented. The 20 year-old woman said she has applied to several entities but so far she has gotten no response. She remains hopeful nevertheless stating that she is looking to enroll in CXC classes to re-write subjects she did not pass.
Meanwhile, a colleague of Aaron, Kiara Fraser of Wismar, Linden said she begun working at Toucan Connections as a Customer Service Representative on January 12, 2015. This, she said, was her first job. According to 19 year-old Fraser, she was unable to attend the meeting held by Toucan Connections representatives as she was unwell but was informed of what transpired.
“I didn’t go to the meeting, a friend called me and told me what happened,” she said. “At first I enjoyed working there but then it became hard as they said we weren’t making sales.” Fraser said Customer Service Representatives were required to “give out free magazines”. She explained that Toucan Connections was responsible for the distribution of magazines for clients. “Sometimes it was nice working there and other times we were sent home.” The woman lamented that things at Toucan became a bit uncomfortable when staff were unwell and asked to go home but were told they couldn’t. “They would refuse to send us home if we were sick,” she told the Chronicle.
Asked how she feels about the situation, the young woman said: “I feel really bad…this year I wanted to go back to school…take some classes and I was working towards that.” This was Fraser’s first job.
“I am not sure what I am going to do now…I applied to do nursing I hope to get in,” she stated. Fraser said too that Customer Service Representatives with the company were paid on a weekly basis and she observed that, for a few weeks prior to the closure of the company, staff were being paid late. She is hopeful that she can benefit from a severance package.
Meanwhile, Region 10’s Chairman Renis Morian told the Chronicle on Monday that he is hopeful that the investigation launched by the Ministry of Social Protection is completed soon as many persons are without jobs. He explained that there is a need for the travel documents belonging to the overseas managers to be held until the completion of the investigation and more so, until the workers are paid their benefits. That aside, Morian is concerned about the protection of the building where the company operated as he was informed of two company officers “removing equipment”.
The Regional Chairman could not provide an update on the investigations stating that it was in the hands of Junior Minister of Social Protection Simona Broomes. He too is awaiting an update from the minister. “I don’t have an update; I too am awaiting an update from the Minister. I have tried reaching her but she has been engaged,” the Regional Chairman told the Chronicle.
He stressed that the people of Linden have been wronged by Toucan Industries and the company has broken the Labour Laws.
Last week Broomes also accused the call centre of violating labour laws when it closed operations and sent home the workers without prior notice. According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the alleged violation had forced the Government to intervene, so as to ensure that those now unemployed persons will be given their full benefits.
Broomes, who holds oversight responsibility for the labour department, led a team to the mining town on Wednesday last to meet with officials and staff of the now closed Call Centre. According to GINA, during the engagement with the manager, supervisor, and 86 staff members at the Centre, the minister explained that she was informed of the issue by Regional Chairman, Rennis Morian, who was also present.
The minister was told by staff that the management of the Centre had advised them that the benefits due them would be paid by the Government. This notion was, however, quickly dispelled by Minister Broomes, who told them that they’d been misled. “If it was told to you that it is the responsibility of Government to pay your severance, I would like to say to you, this is not true. It is the responsibility of the person who employed you to do so,” she told the now unemployed persons. The minister explained that management of the Call Centre had violated the labour laws of Guyana, which mandate that businesses, upon their closure or intentions to do so, must first inform their employees and then the respective Government or State agency. Supervisor of Toucan Connections, Shontel Brooks, advised the minister.
By Ariana Gordon
