The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union is deeply concerned over the sudden and permanent closure of Costpro Supermarket and the immediate impact this development has had upon the livelihoods of over 100 employees.
On Friday morning, General Secretary David Massiah and a team of Union officers met with the displaced workers at the Union’s Freedom Hall Headquarters to discuss their rights and entitlements arising from the redundancy, and the support the Union will provide throughout the process.
The Union assures the former employees that it will pursue every available avenue, including action before the courts, to ensure the employer honours all statutory obligations, including severance pay, notice pay, outstanding vacation pay, and any other benefits to which the workers are legally entitled.
Affected employees have also been advised to gather their letters of employment, pay slips, and other relevant employment records to facilitate the accurate calculation of their severance and other entitlements.
The Union also wishes to underscore that the closure of Costpro, once again exposes the urgent need for the Government to implement Severance Protection Legislation in Antigua and Barbuda. Such a mechanism would establish a fund to safeguard employees’ entitlements.
Had this been in place, as we have been advocating for several years, the affected employees of Costpro would not be facing uncertainty over the payment of benefits they have earned through years of service.
We have seen this situation before with the Jolly Beach Resort, LIAT (1974) Ltd and Tranquility Bay. Cost Pro workers should not have to relive it.
The existing legislative framework does not provide sufficient protection for employees’ earned benefits when companies become insolvent or discontinue operations. Workers should never have to wonder whether they will receive the severance to which they are legally entitled.
The ABWU will continue to stand with the former employees of Costpro Supermarket until every outstanding entitlement has been paid in full.
Source: Antigua News Room ABWU Meets with Costpro Workers; Renews Call for Severance Protection Legislation.