By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
NATIONAL Insurance Board Director Rowena Bethel yesterday confirmed that an employee has been fired from the organisation for misappropriating funds.
However, she did not divulge details of the matter, citing ongoing negotiations with its trade union.
Ms Bethel’s statement came during a press conference at which she responded to National Congress of Trade Union (NCTU) President John Pinder’s claim that the employee was fired “without due process”.
“Following a thorough investigation into alleged improprieties involving contribution receipts that were handled by the said cashier, the decision was taken to summarily dismiss the individual concerned due to the gravity of the improprieties,” she said.
“The actions of the NIB in this case are responsible, reasonable and proportional in the circumstances. The action was fully in accordance with the conditions of employment regarding discipline and discharge at the NIB. The dismissed officer and the representative union are fully at liberty, if they consider the decision to be wrong, or unfair, to challenge the decision taken.”
She noted that a dispute can be filed with the Department of Labour or legal action can be taken in response to the matter.
“Under both processes a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the summary dismissal would occur, including the consequent action taken by the NIB,” she said. “The NIB stands ready to participate in such a review and this position has been commented to the representative union.”
Mrs Bethel also reacted to concern from NCTU about ongoing union negotiations that could lead to industrial action.
She said the first time she learned about the concerns was last Thursday, when she was advised that Mr Pinder had invited union members to “assemble at the entrance to the NIB headquarters premises”.
“I learned late that day from the Union President that concerns existed around the timeliness of management responses to proposals put forward by the union in the course of the negotiations,” she said.
“It is important to note that as regards the assembly itself, I was advised by our security personnel that the assembly of union members took place without undue disruption to the business of the Board; was within the contractually agreed 15 minute break that staff members are entitled to; and that staff returned to their posts in an orderly fashion immediately afterwards.”
Nonetheless, she said it was not until later that she learned the assembly “constituted some type of formal work stoppage by the employees concerned”.
She said the matter is being examined and the NIB will react to the industrial action in time.
“The public can be assured that should (any further) action be taken a strategy will be in place to contain any consequential disruptions in service to an absolute minimum,” she said.
Comments
baldbeardedbahamian 7 years, 11 months ago
Is this the same Ms Bethel, that as one of her first acts in safeguarding the wealthiest government institutions, money held in trust for the Bahamian people was to take a couple of million dollars of our money and buy ambulances for PHA and then boast about it as if is was the correct thing to do. She should have used her own money not yours and mine.
Yes I know that PMH needed the ambulances because of their systemic incompetence but her job is to safeguard that fund for future generations not to make political brownie points and support other dysfunctional government institutions. From what I understand the fund is already grossly compromised by dubious investments.
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 11 months ago
Just saw the headline..Shane?
sheeprunner12 7 years, 11 months ago
Bethel is the PLP gatekeeper for NIB ........... SIGH
truetruebahamian 7 years, 11 months ago
How much money has been diverted from the NIB to for the government purchase of inappropriate buildings and diverted into the black hole of çonsolodated funds (a creative accountant's dream). Please get some accountability going and lock up these thieves who feel that it is their right to swindle the paying public. Those who do not pay but own BMW cars and such should be made to walk to work, church or whatever, just make them pay like the rest of us.
arenas 7 years, 11 months ago
Now, go after the other senior persons who have also misappropriated funds over the years - they know who they are - We cannot be selective when trying to stop the stealing. A thief is a thief, and they should all receive the same treatment. Can you imagine the high quality of life that each Bahamian would be enjoying had we not have so many out-of-control plunderers throughout most of our Government Departments and in Government stealing our assets? The Treasury would be overflowing with money, even after paying our debts. How sad! The mismanagement of this country is truly an inditement on the people. I'm not impressed with their effort in catching this thief. They're being too selective on who they will expose..
Honestman 7 years, 11 months ago
Message to all Bahamians: Do not rely on your state pension being there for you when you retire. Government has not protected our interests and has engaged in corrupt practices over a number of years with regard to investments made on behalf of the NIB. At some point in the not too distant future, the fund might well become insolvent and major structural changes will need to be made. This could mean raising the retirement age, reducing benefits etc. Save while you can because this bunch of thieves are not looking after your back.
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