Govt: Employee Salaries Following Humberto
The Ministry of Labour, Community Affairs and Sports said they have been ”inundated with inquiries from the public regarding salary deductions as a result of missed work days due to Hurricane Humberto” and are urging “employers to seek alternative measures as it relates to staff absences. ”
Minister Lovitta Foggo said, “We’ve been inundated with inquiries from the public regarding salary deductions as a result of missed work days due to Hurricane Humberto last week.
“A number of employees have explained that because of road closures, school and nursery closures, property damage and fallen utility poles and wires, they were prevented from attending their place of employment following Hurricane Humberto. And many of these workers have been advised that their salaries will suffer as a result.
“These are uncontrollable and unfortunate events, and the Ministry encourages employers to seek alternative measures as it relates to staff absences. Measures such as applying unused paid leave as opposed to not paying workers who were absent as a result of the hurricane should be considered by employers.
“The Ministry in conjunction with the unions and employer groups certainly appreciate the delicate financial position of our employers as it relates to their continued business operations. However, we’re asking for these employers to please ensure that these employment issues are addressed equitably.
“In the interim, workers who are still experiencing issues following the hurricane are strongly urged to communicate with their employers so that solutions can be enacted in a timely manner.
“Lastly, for any private sector employer who is challenged in meting out fair and equitable pay following last week’s hurricane should contact the Labour Relations Section so that our officers can assist you.
“The Labour Relations Section is located at 23 Parliament Street, Hamilton in the old Magistrates’ Court building. They are open Monday to Friday from 8.45 am – 5.00 pm and can be reached on 297-7714/16.”
You can view our live updates on Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Jerry here, all our coverage of Humberto here, our coverage of Jerry here, and all our coverage of the 2019 Hurricane Season here.
Business all over Bermuda are hurting..thanks to the fiscal policy of this administration and this government official asks companies to bear the burden of paying when companies were unable to trade.
Let’s try this–how about if we are given a small holiday on our payroll taxes for the days that employees didn’t work yet we paid them.
If Gvt feels so strongly then pitch in and help employers so we can help employees that are suffering due to the policies of this Gvt.
Be reasonable you fool ! We just experienced a national natural disaster. Common sense you could make up a day of work for the employee on perhaps a weekend or a day that the employee doesnt usually work. Always trying to blame private sector issues on govt. Have some empathy selfish prick !
Hmmm….because of people like you in the UBP black Bermudians have been historically disenfranchised. This is why you talk this talk and this is also why you had to change the name to OBA.
Are you related to Onion Juice?
How about we stop paying MPs for being unproductive even when the weather is good? That should save us a sh!# load!
For your party too?
LMAO
BOTH parties!
Don’t be silly! We are nearly $6 Billion in debt (including pension deficit) and cannot afford to give a tax holiday to Mr. and Mrs. Bermuda!
Please
Government workers not to worry. You’re paid by taxes and the Government coffers. Restaurants that were closed and didn’t make any money asked to pay it’s workers. See the hypocrisy.
Please
Government workers like bus drivers, garbage collectors, parks and works who can’t work probably still get paid, then get double time to make up. All paid by the private sector. Talk about two Bermudas.
Thats part of de Reparation package.
So , in other words you’ve now got your reps. Please never mention the topic again. Thank you .
Get over it.
The storm was an act of God, so some would say. It sure was not caused by the employers. What makes them liable for lost pay? Better go & appeal somewhere else if you think that you should be paid for a day off because of a storm.
I guess we should be thankful for a job and plus we already get a 2 day Holiday with pay (Cup Match) to compensate for 400 years of FREE LABOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think you would be a lot happier if you could lose the enormous chip that you carry around on your shoulder. It must be tiring.
” It must be tiring”
Sitting on a wall does not make one tired
Holiday from what? I doubt you’ve worked a full day in your entire life.
I could use your same reasoning to argue that an Act of God like this was not caused by the employees either, why should they be punished with lost wages? If someone runs a business in a country that is often impacted by hurricanes and tropical storms, then they should expect for it to happen and build in a contingency plan, not simply seek to stiff their workers. (P.S. most decently run private companies actually DID pay their workers for the storm day).
Maybe there are company insurance plans available for having to close for such an event so that staff etc can be compensated?
Get rid of many foreign workers. Where a Bermudian could work in that domain and is amply qualified, send the foreigner back from whence he/she has come.
Foreign workers could care less about the unemployed Bermudian who has equal to or a better education than the foreign worker, send them packing.
Government must regard closely ,precisely where these people are, then get them out of this country!!!
Bermudians work all over the World. Should these other countries ‘get rid’ of their foreign workers too?
Agreed.
This will also force/encourage employers to provide adequate working conditions and proper compensation for hours worked to Bermudians in which case a foreigner would “suck it up” in fear of losing their job.
So you don’t mind prices increasing?
Friends and family will be rewarded.
How about government gives a tax break to affected companies?
So is government going to pay businesses for the lost revenue due to the storm?
Well if people can get money for being pepper sprayed then why can’t I get money for the hurricane? I am switching my vote to OBA! All the way OBA!
Dang things must be tight in berm mercy
This sounds like utter BS. I want to know how many calls “inundated” the Labour Ministry, and the names of the employers.
Question
Yup, pure BS. Most calls if any would probabbly have been from CS workers, hence the minister preparing us for when the the Govt announces that CS workers will be paid. Note that she’s seemingly speaking for the unions as well.
No thought for how the storm has negatively impacted sales for the companies as they would’ve been closed so no sales, possible damage to buildings. But the unknowing paycheque earners on here will say companies build that into their business plans. LOL
I wish all these business savvy people would open a business and actually use all that knowledge to employ Bermudians, more and more of them are losing their jobs due to the poor economy. Sooner or later the loss of jobs and business closures will seriously start to affect the Govt and by extension the CS, tick tock…
Meanwhile someone is on a fact finding cruise