The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Attorney Osman Johnson is calling on Hannes Babak to compensate the 70 former employees of the Home Centre and Freeport Concrete who lost their jobs after the companies went into liquidation.

This comes after the Mr Babak invested what is believed to be some $1 million in new the Circle Mall, which was officially opened by Prime Minister Perry Christie last Saturday.

Mr Johnson has been retained by the employees to represent them in their dispute, which before the Industrial Tribunal.

“They have come to me collectively as a group, and I am happy to take the matter on. None of the employees has received a penny after two years,” he said.

Mr Johnson said the companies went into liquidation at no fault of the workers, who have not received any compensation from their former employers.

He noted that Mr Babak was a major shareholder in both companies.

“They are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars, and Mr Babak was a primary shareholder in the companies and he has a direct responsibility to compensate the former employees.

“Mr Babak has personally invested what we believe to be millions in the new Circle Mall development, which is at the exact same site where the Home Centre used to be situated.”

Mr Johnson noted that after the closures, assurances were given to workers that they would be paid.

He stressed that the former workers have not yet received their severance packages and many are facing hardship.

“Many of them are on the verge of losing homes; their family and personal lives have been tremendously affected,” he said.

“It is shameful that some of them are living in poverty when they are owed severance pay. Some of them are entitled to tens of thousand of dollars.”

Mr Johnson stressed that there are labour laws that govern severance pay and compensation packages for Bahamian workers.

“We will bring those laws into account before the courts so we can have due compensation for these Bahamians workers,” said the attorney.

Mr Johnson said he has not yet spoken to Mr Babak, but will attempt to reach him and his attorney to settle the matter.

“We will make these attempts, but at this stage I think it is time for him step forward and show goodwill to these people.”

Mr Johnson also criticised the PLP administration, claiming the government and the new Minister for Grand Bahama assured the workers their case would be a top priority.