Anguilla News covers Anguilla and the wider
Caribbean.
x
Chief
Minister Fleming's speech on the urgent Labour Situation
between Carillion (Employed by Kor Group of Viceroy) and its
Indian workers
Speech Hon. Chief
Minister
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Labour Situation between Carillion & Indians
Fellow Anguillians.
It has become necessary for me to address you on a matter of
national urgency that if not dealt with responsibly
threatens to destabilize our country. The current atmosphere
of animosity on Anguilla does nobody any good, not even
those who indicate that they are representing Indian workers
contracted by Carillion.
What is the benefit to our country if we descend into chaos
and not deal objectively and in good faith with the matter
at hand.
The situation with the Indian workers contracted by
Carillion is one that we all must resolve in good faith; one
that must be free of personal and political agendas; one
that must be in the interest of all parties involved, and
one that is in the interest of Anguilla at large.
In our press release of June 27th, 2007 Government indicated
that terms and conditions for return to work had been agreed
and that a process of negotiations for dealing with the
issues raised by the representatives of the workers would be
established.
On Friday June 29th, officials from Carillion met with a
representative group from the Indian workers, their
representatives, and Government to discuss the way forward
for reaching some agreement on wages.
Members of the Human Rights Committee visited the property
on Thursday June 28th and reported that the living
conditions within the work camp were satisfactory, though
some overcrowding need to be dealt with. This seemed to be a
temporary situation as the camp is transitioning to larger
living accommodations. The workers were reported to be
satisfied with their treatment as far as food and other
human needs were concerned.
Yesterday, Monday 2nd July, the Regional Director and the
Project Director of Carillion met with Government Ministers
to report on their progress and indicated that there would
be a meeting to discuss the cash or wages element of the
compensation package. I reinforced the importance of this
dollar payment to moving the negotiations forward and I
indicated that it was Government’s position that this had to
be handled correctly in the national interest. Subsequently,
legal representatives of the workers met with other senior
managers of Carillion to renegotiate wages as mentioned
earlier.
After that meeting the legal representatives of the workers
met with me, other Ministers and officials and explained
that the discussions on wages which they held with officials
of Carillion had broken down and they felt that Carillion
was not prepared to accept or discuss their proposal that
the cash element of the workers compensation in the lower
grades be doubled.
In other words those with a base cash element of $180.00 be
increased to $360.00, those at $250.00 be increased to
$500.00 and those at $350.00 be increased to $700.00, and
those at $400.00 to $800.00. The other Indian workers who
are already receiving between US $1,200.00 and US $2,500.00
cash per month were not included in these negotiations as it
was felt by the representatives that these salaries were
acceptable.
Government indicated that this proposal merited serious and
urgent consideration and informed the legal representatives
that we intend to call Carillion to the offices immediately
and reinforce this proposal. The meeting began at 6:00 pm.
Officials of Carillion left my office at around 8:00 pm last
night with a clear understanding that in Government’s view
this was the only way forward.
It is my position that the representation made by the
representatives of the Indian workers to Carillion should be
given consideration, and if Carillion has concerns about
this request they should put forward a counterproposal that
should form a basis for further negotiations.
Yesterday morning I placed a call to the Indian High
Commissioner whose role is to protect the interest of his
nationals to request that he comes to Anguilla immediately
to assess the situation of his nationals on Anguilla. He
said that yesterday was a holiday in Guyana and would get
back to me with more firm details on his arrangements. He
also indicated to me that he had no knowledge of what was
going on in Anguilla at this time. He had visited the
workers accommodations in Anguilla on two previous occasions
and was satisfied with the conditions of his nationals.
There is no need for Anguillians to allow our peace and
stability to be threatened by actions now being proposed by
some local sympathizers of the Indian workers. Their message
has gone through loud and clear and any further civil
demonstrations will not be helpful to Anguilla’s development
and stability.
The Indian workers came here as guest workers in our country
to assist with our development at a time when there is a
need for additional labour. They were hired by the
Contractor on the basis of compensatory package including
room and board, all meals, medical, housekeeping, and air
transportation e.t.c. Our estimate of the smallest package
provided to the Indians is approximately US $1,000.00 per
month. What they receive in their hand is a small portion of
their total package. The public has been misinformed in this
regard.
Government will ensure that representations made by the
workers are considered in full. In the meantime, I call on
all Anguillians to give us their support to bring an
equitable and amicable solution to these issues.
May God continue to bless us in this time of trial.
