The unions have described the dismissals as hasty, unwarranted, and unjustified, labelling them as a senseless attempt to resolve a long-standing dispute over unpaid salaries. The matter could escalate to the Industrial Court as the unions which had taken the matter to the Department of Labour await a new date to appear before the Commissioner of Labour. The matter was postponed after the previous Principal retired. According to the unions, the decision to dismiss the workers follows a series of protests and sit-ins that began in February 2024.
The protests were in response to the non-payment of salaries for September, October, and November 2023, as well as outstanding salary increments from July 2022 to April 2023. Despite the workers’ efforts to bring attention to their plight, the management of the SDA College of Nursing has refused to address the issue or engage in meaningful dialogue with the affected employees. “This reckless and insensitive decision follows a series of protests and sit-ins by workers in disputes of non-payment of salaries and delay tactics by the employer to sign a recognition agreement with the unions they have affiliated to,” a joint statement from the unions reads. The unions have accused the college of displaying arrogance and exploiting its workers, taking advantage of its excessive authority and lack of regulation by the government.
