Housing Minister Richard Frederick has dismissed allegations of victimization following the dismissal of three employees from the National Housing Corporation (NHC). Speaking during the weekly pre-Cabinet press briefing on Monday, Frederick defended the NHC’s actions, stating that the terminations were in line with legal protocols and part of an organizational restructuring.
“The NHC is currently going through some restructuring, and in so far as the restructuring is concerned, certain positions became redundant,” Frederick explained. “The occupiers of those positions, invariably, if the positions are no longer available, had to sever ties with the organization.”
The minister emphasized that the affected employees were not fired but rather let go due to the elimination of their roles within the NHC.
The National Workers Union (NWU), representing the affected employees, expressed concerns over the dismissals. In a January 13 letter to the Labour Commissioner, the NWU alleged a deliberate violation of the provisions of their Collective Agreement and the Labour Act. The letter called for a meeting to address what the NWU described as a calculated and unilateral action by the NHC.
Frederick confirmed that the employees were fully compensated for their years of service, ensuring compliance with labor laws.
“One of the things I insisted on was that before those persons go home, ensure you have the money to give them every penny they are entitled to,” the minister said. “That was done. One person received $238,000. Life must go on, and while it may cause some mental instability, these steps were necessary.”
Meanwhile, NHC Chairman John Peters noted that discussions about the dismissals were transparent and involved all stakeholders, including the Labour Commissioner, NWU representatives, and the affected employees.
“The Labour Commissioner met with the board of the NHC, the National Workers Union, and the three employees,” Peters said. “It was a fruitful meeting, and there was a total resolution on all the issues, with acceptance by both parties.”
Frederick reiterated that the restructuring and resulting redundancies are standard practices within any organization. He assured the public that the NHC acted responsibly and in accordance with established legal frameworks.
