By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
THE Free National Movement is backing a class action lawsuit against the PLP government over claims of victimisation of their supporters throughout the civil service.
Party leader Dr Hubert Minnis urged all Bahamians who believe they are victims of wrongful termination to bring evidence to the FNM's headquarters on Mackey Street for inclusion in the suit.
Dr Minnis made the announcement following the morning session yesterday of the House of Assembly.
This move comes after several alleged victimisation cases, including the termination of the contract of Princess Margaret Hospital administrator Coralee Adderley, several Urban Renewal workers who claim they were prematurely let go and several cases throughout the Family Islands, Dr Minnis said.
"The FNM," Dr Minnis said, "has repeatedly warned the PLP government to cease and desist from engaging in targeted political victimisation of perceived FNM supporters who are or were contracted to perform labour or to provide contractual service to the government.
"If the government continues not to hear the cry of its victims for mercy, it will have to be made to feel the weight of the law. The constitution of the Bahamas specifically protects Bahamians from victimisation and governmental oppression based on their chosen associations and political opinions.
"The FNM has arranged for a team of legal advisers to review each case of alleged political victimisation (and) to take all necessary legal measures to protect the Bahamian people from any further acts of political victimisation by the PLP and to obtain appropriate compensation and redress for all persons who have been unconstitutionally deprived of the legitimate expectations of continued employment or contractual opportunity."
Dr Minnis said the FNM aims to ensure that all Bahamians are treated justly regardless of their political affiliation.
"We want to ensure that the Bahamas is for Bahamians. It is not a PLP Bahamas. It is not an FNM Bahamas. We are ensuring that all Bahamians have a right to vote for whichever party they choose, while at the same time they have a right to enjoy all the fruits of land without discrimination."
When pressed on whether or not the FNM, during its term in office under former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham's leadership was guilty of the same disservice, Dr Minnis said the party had never "stooped to such levels."
Dr Minnis could not say when the action would be filed.
Comments
marvinrzgibson 11 years, 8 months ago
Excellent move! Let's hope the party keeps this up.
TalRussell 11 years, 8 months ago
Comrades just another by-election ploy by the red shirts "new" Hubert A.
Can the red shirts really think that if they make enough noise it will lead them to a Cooper's Town victory? A view not shared by his own Chairman "Five Piece Chicken" Charley.
Excellent move..are you serious?
I challenge the red shirts to provide the name of just one single red shirt who has lost his/her normal job with Bahamaland's new government.
Of course you can't provide even one name of a single native who was fired, or contract not renewed, who were not hired outside of political connections to the red shirts.
The red shirts want you to believe that PM Christie in targeting non-political workers at departments of his government. It just ain't so.
by TalRussell
Arob 11 years, 8 months ago
My fellow Bahamians, the lessons: Do not leave your job in the private sector for a job with The Bahamas government--especially if you are offered the job by a politician.
If you accept a contractual job, do so at the beginning of the government's term in office. This will guarantee you at least four (4) years of employment.
If you accept a position because of your relationship with or to a politician, prepare for a termination of your employment when the other party gains control.
Beware, job favours by politicians have a shelf life which expires when the politician loses favour (ministerial changes or fail to be re-elected).
Remember, despite what the PLP government says, the role of government includes the following: create policies that enables economic and social development i.e. provide health, education, infrastructure, safe environment (as crime free as possible), laws.
Governments are not employment generators. The private sector generates employment, hence the desperate search for foreign direct investment (FDI).
Lockhart 11 years, 7 months ago
The FNM are Hypocrites
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