Heads are continuing to roll at the controversial state-owned Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC).
The corporation, which is currently embroiled in litigation over the recent sacking of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Brian Francis, on Thursday fired its fourth employee in the space of a month.
The latest to be sent packing was consultant Alton Best, who in a letter dated March 25, 2021, was informed that his contract would be terminated with immediate effect.
“Accordingly, pursuant to Section 9 of the Standard Terms and Conditions of your consultancy services, be advised that this letter serves as ten (10) business days’ of notice in writing,” the correspondence, signed by Acting CEO Frederick Inniss stated.
The document, a copy of which has been obtained by Barbados TODAY added: “As dictated under clause 9 noted above, final settlement of the amount due will be based on the actual work done. To this end, you are asked to submit support for this work at your earliest convenience. You are required to return all work product, loaned equipment and any corporate data in your possession.”
The board of directors and management thanked Best for his “valuable” contribution during his tenure at the statutory body and wished him the best in his future endeavours.
On Wednesday, the day before Best was dismissed, Security Assistant Joycelyn Carrington received her “marching orders” via a letter dated March 24, 2021.
Carrington was told there was no indication on record at the corporation that she possessed the requisite certification to legally perform the duties of a Security Assistant at that entity as outlined in the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act.
“According to Section 14 (1) of the Act – Unlicensed Persons: ‘No person may (a) provide services as a private investigator or security guard; or (b) operate an agency engaged in the business of providing the services of private investigators or security guards, unless he is licensed under this Act.
“In light of the above and as a result, management of the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation has taken the decision to terminate your contract with immediate effect. Your last day of work will be March 24, 2021,” the BADMC employee was informed.
The quasi-government agricultural marketing agency also told Carrington that under the Employment Rights Act, she will be entitled to two days pay for March 22 to 24; six vacation days’ pay for November 2020 to March 2021; one day’s pay in lieu of notice as set out in her employment letter; a completed Termination of Services/Lay Off Certificate and a Certificate of Employment Record.
“You have not completed 104 weeks (2 years) of continuous employment. Therefore, you are not eligible to receive severance payment in accordance with the Severance Payment Act CAP 355A. All monies owed to you will be paid to you electronically and supporting documents will be sent to you via email and/or direct mail within the coming days,” the letter said.
On March 9, the corporation terminated the services of its Security Coordinator Junior Murray also with immediate effect.
Human Resources Manager Taurean Roach who signed the correspondence on behalf of Acting CEO Inniss, told Murray he was being dismissed 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.
The agency has been embroiled in controversy over the last year. Last April, former Government minister Anthony Wood resigned as chairman amidst a serious disagreement with his then boss, Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir over the importation of chicken wings. Last December the current chairman Dereck Foster resigned but the letter was not accepted by the minister.
In his letter of resignation dated December 11, 2020, Foster informed Weir he was leaving the BADMC board effective December 22, 2020.
“To be frank, the BADMC is an organization that is not fit for purpose, and will require a complete dismantle and rebuild for it to meet its many objectives. In my opinion, this needs to start at board level, and the chairman needs to dedicate a lot of time to the organization (I simply don’t have the time to do the job effectively).
“In addition, the board should have people on it that clearly understand the role of a board, along with the relevant competencies. Unfortunately several of the current members simply do not possess the required skills,” the chairman declared.
But Foster, who backed this month’s termination of Dr Francis as CEO, expressed the strong position back in December that Francis was the BADMC’s saviour.
“On the positive side, I do think that Dr. Francis is a competent CEO, and with the right support of the board, and particularly the Chair, he can implement the dramatic changes required to turn the BADMC around.”
In October 2020, temporary clerical officer Akelia Roberts was sent home amidst controversy over the board’s decision to pay her over $7,000 for breach of contract against the legal opinions of the corporation’s two attorneys who advised she was not entitled to that payout.
Barbados TODAY reached out to Minister Weir and chairman Foster for comment, but was unsuccessful up to the time of publication. (emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb)
