The Tribune

FORMER Urban Renewal workers showed up at the Ministry of Works yesterday to reapply for the jobs they say they lost because of their political affiliation.

Three workers told The Tribune that they, along with 38 others in New Providence, will be permanently unemployed as of this Friday if the government fails to renew their contracts with Urban Renewal.

The workers received letters last week informing them that they were being let go, they said, but received notice only yesterday that they had to reapply for their positions because their contracts were expired.

Cornelia Taylor, who worked at Urban Renewal's Fox Hill division, said the terminated workers were told that they were part of a restructuring exercise - 38 persons who were identified as FNM supporters were sent home."

"The PLP supporters remain at work. Why wasn't everyone made to reapply?"

Karen Brown, who worked at the Fort Charlotte Urban Renewal centre, said she had recently received a favourable evaluation, only to be terminated from her post.

"If I was evaluated and I passed my evaluation, what is the Urban Renewal 2.0 plan that I am going to stagnate?" said Ms Brown.

"We're talking about the community where I was raised and I work. This is about the community. This has nothing to do with politics.

"You didn't even give me a chance to work and see what I can do."

She said she was on leave when the terminations occurred and only received her letter yesterday morning - and yesterday morning she was at the Ministry of Works fighting to get her job back.

"If somebody sells a company, when the new manager comes in he should give his employees the opportunity to prove themselves," she said. "That's all I'm asking you - give me that opportunity."

Englerston Urban Renewal manager, Pamela Miller, said she and her team had just completed planning her centre's summer camp when she received her letter. According to Ms Miller, she and the 38 others are being victimised.

"They allowed us to plan the summer camp that will start July 2," she said.

"We gave them a calendar. We gave them a full briefing. Why allow us to plan a summer camp knowing you weren't going to keep our services?"

Ms Miller said she put everything she had into her Urban Renewal centre. She added that she had also received a favourable evaluation, and had been recommended for a permanent position.

"We want our jobs back," she said. "You're saying you're for Bahamians, but are you identifying what criteria it takes to be a Bahamian?

"Why would you then increase the unemployment line?"