Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Ray A. George sues government!

Officer files claim in the High Court for money owed under his contract when he was sacked!
Ray A. George who was fired by the National Democratic Party Government in December of 2011 has filed a claim in the High court for monies owed to him under his contract. Mr. George is citing the Labour Code section 91. His claim against the government includes, court filing fees, legal fees, and interest on the sum. Mr. George who had two years left on his contract is expected to do battle again on September 25, 2012 before the High court Master. He is represented by the Law firm of Thornton Smith. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - It was one month (December 2011) last year, after the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government of Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith took office that the Ministry of Communications and Works fired Ray A. George, a consultant to the Ministry.

Mr. George is a citing violation of the Labour Code in claiming that Clause G1 of his employment contract as it relates to payment of one month's salary in lieu of notice is void pursuant to section 44 (1) (a) and 91 of the Labour Code 2010.

Further Mr. George, a Virgin Islander is claiming over sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000) including, legal fees, court filing fees and interest on amount owned by the Government to him pursuant to his contract.

The case is expected to return to Court on September 25, 2012 for further hearing.

Government history of trampling on rights of workers

Over the past three to four years there has developed a culture by the Virgin Islands Government of trampling on the rights of its employees.  While Mr. George was not a civil servant, but a consultant to the Ministry of Communications and Works and Government reserved the right to end his contract, many persons are seeing a pattern emerging whereby the rights of public officers are treated with reckless disregard by the Crown.

Within the last five years alone over fifteen public officers have been dismissed by government on flimsy grounds and most cannot afford to, or are afraid to challenge the Crown in the Court of laws to protect their rights and dignity under the constitution.

If you add in the statutory bodies which are semi independent bodies, with Government being the only shareholder, the number goes up even further for unfair dismissals.  A few have had the courage to challenge the Government in court and in recent times have won for violation of their civil and human rights and the VI constitutional order.

What some described as even more sad and frightening is the breakdown of the rule of law.  Many Public officers have openly complained that usually the persons you contact to seek remedy; Heads of Departments, Permanent Secretaries, and Governors, are most often the ones violating our rights of others, so it leaves public officers with little or no choice, at least for those who can afford it, to seek redress in the courts.

Many have also blasted the Public Service Commission, a body that should be independent and impartial, for becoming too political especially, under some former members.

Two senior civil servants who could not give their names because of General Orders restrictions told this news site, that currently, “public officers are working daily in fear of losing their jobs due to victimization, politics and being accused of leaking information to the press”…it’s a sad and horrible time to be a civil servant” one told this news site.

What is even more disappointing, is the Governor who is supposed to protect civil servants “is himself a part of the problem... where do we go?”

Since the NDP took office in November of 2011 many public officers have been fired, contracts have not been renewed, transferred, sent home for no reason, and others reassigned with nothing to do.

25 Responses to “Ray A. George sues government! ”

  • the rock (18/09/2012, 07:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    go sit down boss!..when u were undermining..the people of the bvi over the biwater period u were wasnt balling then... down ball now...Bam...Bam..bam!
    • under the bus (18/09/2012, 09:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ok so now we know the real reason why Ray was fired by the NDP tis over biwater, just like they did Frazer PS over the baughers bay water plant so I see the game…C Thomas use to say; watch the game boss!!!
    • BREAKING NEWS (18/09/2012, 10:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I so agree!!
      • just do it! (18/09/2012, 19:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Good job ray and Jamal
        • Village Girl (19/09/2012, 06:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Ray bouy only dat lil lil bit of $$$$ you claiming? Boss by time you done pay you lawyer aint got nothing left????
  • qc (18/09/2012, 07:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    well saw here we go again mey bouy...england need to tek back tis place
  • HELLO!! (18/09/2012, 08:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh, but you are not going to mention how many were forced to resign, fired or sent home on leave under VIP Government? Governments (VIP or NDP) dont just send home, fire or force person to retire without reasons. Good try Ray but as far as I understand, you were paid your full contract and was sent home.
    • @ Hello (18/09/2012, 09:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Didnt you read this part... "Within the last five years alone over fifteen public officers have been dismissed by government on flimsy grounds and most cannot afford to, or are afraid to challenge the Crown in the Court of laws to protect their rights and dignity under the constitution." WITHIN THE LAST FIVE YEARS ALONE. Ndp has now gotten in, who was there before wasn't it vip. Read between the lines from posting bull!
  • billyb (18/09/2012, 08:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am an NDP supporter all day every day, but victimization on the Job has nothing to do with either of the party. It starts from the Ministries. The people who has been sitting in the Ministry regardless of whatever party is in, they are the ones victimizing or condoning victimization against civil servants. Unless they start shifting these people around or send them home, this will continue. Government has become a joke to work for, there was a time when it was an honor to have a government job, now it's just a paycheck. I urge the government to start from Communication and Works. The worst ministry in the government. Major shift needed in HR.
    • @billyb (18/09/2012, 09:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You couldn't have said it any better. Productivity is the key and some are not producing anything just sitting and gosipping in the office.
  • yellow (18/09/2012, 09:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sue them backside yes they thing they could treat people like dogs!
  • in the news (18/09/2012, 09:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    good move Mr. George the government always playing plinky bird with this issue of the people's rights...
  • bam see (18/09/2012, 10:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    poor ray...he's just a casualty of war
  • mother hen (18/09/2012, 11:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ray is a very smart guy for doing this, now more officers will have the courage on this can of worms
  • vinofan (18/09/2012, 12:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this needs to be done with the private sector, who likes to take advantage of people.
  • ann (18/09/2012, 13:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ray bouy let sleeping dogs lie
  • Reality Check (18/09/2012, 15:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ray better chill. The NDP say they have the goods on him and just waiting to spring it on him so that he will have to spill the beans on Biwater and Frazer. He had his chance and fed happily at the trough. He is supposedly an accountant. Let him go find work to do. The days of stuffing your belly on the public purse are over.
  • well sa (18/09/2012, 16:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wait a minute, wasnt letty the president too? People need to be consistent with their behaviour. You people just need to stop....
  • right on (18/09/2012, 19:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wa yuh expect the man was fired because of poltircks so he doing the right thing!
  • ABC (18/09/2012, 20:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man is not unlike many who are presently in the service who intend to remain on the nipple for the rest of their lives. We have created a set of leaners in this country. God help us all.
  • bbc radio (20/09/2012, 06:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why he suing them for that lil lil bit ah money?
  • winner (20/09/2012, 14:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    just like willock bring home a win Ray!
    • Q-tips (20/09/2012, 22:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      you can be sure that one way or another Ray you will win some money!!


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.