BADMC sacks security officer

by Emmanuel Joseph

Twenty-four hours after suspending its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Brian Francis, citing “allegations of misconduct,” the state-run agricultural marketing arm has sent home another officer amidst demands by some employees for the board to resign.

In a letter dated March 9, 2021, Human Resources Manager Taurean Roach of the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC), informed Junior Murray that “your term of employment as Security Coordinator Officer will be terminated with immediate effect”.

Roach, who signed the correspondence on behalf of the Acting CEO Frederick Inniss, told Murray he was being terminated because the board had decided to take the BADMC on a new business path.

“The Board of Directors of the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation is taking the corporation in another direction, thus, revising its strategic plan and business priorities,” said the HR manager in the document, a copy of which has been obtained by Barbados TODAY.

He added: “Accordingly, the purpose of this correspondence is to inform you that your term of employment as Security Coordinator Officer will be terminated with immediate effect, invoking the notice period of your employment letter dated December 8, 2020. Your last day of work will be March 9, 2021.”

Citing the Employment Rights Act 2012-9, the HR boss explained that the dismissed security officer was entitled to nine days’ pay for March 1 to 9, 2021; one day’s pay in lieu of notice as set out in his employment letter; completed termination services/layoff certificate and his certificate of employment record.

“You have not completed 104 weeks of continuous employment. Therefore, you are not eligible to receive severance payment in accordance with the Severance Payment Act CAP 355A,” Roach stated.

The ex- BADMC worker was also informed that all monies owed to him would be paid electronically and supporting documents would be sent via email and/or direct mail within the coming days.

The board and management of the corporation thanked the terminated security coordinator for his “valuable contribution” and extended best wishes to him.

Murray could not be reached for comment.

But with Monday’s suspension of CEO Francis still fresh in the air and serious questions surrounding the board’s decision to order the payment of an ex-temporary clerical officer over $7,000 for alleged breach of contract contrary to the legal opinions of the corporation’s two lawyers, some upset employees are demanding the removal or resignation of all board directors.

In fact, one concerned employee has written the board and copied the letter to Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Indar Weir, insisting on “honest answers” to 50 questions which he noted, were prompted by the management style of chairman Dereck Foster and board director Edwin O’Neal.

The employee raised questions surrounding a possible recommendation to close the agency; who demanded a payment of $7,000 be made to Ms Akelia Roberts by 10 a.m. on Friday, March 5, 2021; and whether a sitting member objected to the interviewing of the now suspended CEO because he was too qualified for the position.

Roberts is the terminated clerical officer who is at the centre of the controversy between the suspended CEO and the board. The CEO had written the chairman recording his “complete opposition” to the payout which he described as untenable for the corporation.

The suspended chief executive officer, who had been on the job for about eight months, has turned to his legal counsel for advice on what action he should take against the statutory body.

Persistent efforts to reach Minister Weir again proved futile and Minister in his Ministry Peter Phillips has stated that the board was dealing with the issue.

Chairman Dereck Foster has made it clear he does not discuss board matters with the Press and Edwin O’Neal could not be reached for comment. (emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb)