LIAT ex-workers receive ‘gift’

Terminated Barbadian LIAT workers who were recently promised a one-off gift of $2,000 by the Mia Mottley Administration have received the money.

However, spokesman for the former Bajan pilots Neil Cave informed Barbados TODAY that an additional advance of $2,000 per month which was also promised, is still pending.

Cave said while they are thankful to the Government for the one-off gift, the severed LIAT local staff are anxiously awaiting the monthly payment.

“That monthly money is what would help us to pay our rent, utilities and other financial obligations which are in arrears. All of our savings have dried up,” he reiterated.

In early May the ex-workers described a relief payment from the Government as a lifeline, some 400 days after being sent home by the Antigua-based carrier without a cent in severance.

Cave, who has been spearheading the group’s struggle for severance and other entitlements, said then that the assistance offered during a meeting with Prime Minister Mottley would help avoid them “going further into the abyss”.

The Prime Minister met with a large number of the ex-workers representing a cross-section of the airline’s staff and offered them financial assistance pending the conclusion of efforts to resolve the severance matter. (EJ)