Sascha Wilson
A group of workers from Kenson Operational Services Ltd staged a protest on Wednesday, claiming that they are now on the breadline because of their refusal to take COVID-19 vaccinations.
Demonstrating in front the company’s compound at Lady Hailes Avenue, San Fernando, they claimed that one worker was terminated while four others were sent home with no pay.
Showing solidarity with the workers, OWTU executive trustee Ernesto Kesar and First Wave Movement leader Umar Abdullah called on the company to desist with their “illegal” vaccination policy.
Terminated worker Rylon Baptiste, who was employed with the company since 2007, claimed workers were told to provide a medical document or religious grounds for refusing the vaccine.
He claimed that from December 2021, unvaccinated workers were barred from entering the compound.
“(They) promise us they will relocate us and added to that, as well, to give us an option if we want compensation, we have to send a letter to the company terminating our services. They didn’t want to terminate us. Unfortunately, some of my co-workers, they couldn’t withstand the test because what the company doing is playing hunger games. Keeping you home for months without giving you a salary.
However, Baptiste stood his ground and attended several “disrespectful meetings” with company officials.
While he was officially fired on April 18, Baptiste said he had been off the job since December 2021.
“I want justice. This company needs to stop this,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kesar delivered a letter to the company, through its security personnel, seeking a meeting with company officials either this week or next week.
Noting that since May 4 Government had abandoned its mandatory vaccination for public servants, Kesar said they have received complaints not only from Kenson workers but contract workers at other companies. He called on the companies, including Heritage Petroleum, to publicly produce their mandatory vaccination policy.
“We are kindly asking our corporate citizens to abandon that backward, illegal approach towards denying work for citizens, qualified, skilled, competent, and experienced citizens in the industry. They have to stop that nonsense,” he added.
He said the OWTU is prepared to go to the Privy Council to ensure workers’ rights are not trampled upon by employers. The company said it would issue a statement but none came.