Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis yesterday expressed disappointment in some companies that are laying off employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, requesting that they “hold off” on layoffs for as long as possible.
During a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, Minnis, who went off speech, said he is “extremely disappointed when I see Bahamian companies laying off individuals who had worked with them 10, 20 years, who had made them wealthy, who had given them the opportunity to send their children to university both here and abroad”.
“And yet, after all the sacrifices these Bahamians did, those who have attained wealth have laid off such Bahamians.
“I ask you: are you humane? Where is your heart? Where is your compassion? Do you have a soul?
“Please, let’s be humane and consider those individuals who have made great sacrifices to make you what you are today, but as soon as things get tough you want to retain and hold onto all you’ve got and continue to take advantage of individuals.
“I plead and I ask all Bahamians today, let us not be human beings, but let us be humane.”
Minnis made a “very strong plea” to business owners who are in a strong financial position to “hold off” on layoffs “for as long as possible”.
“Such generosity of spirit will make a tremendous difference at this time,” the prime minister said.
Shortly after the first case of the virus was confirmed in the country, the government declared a state of emergency and ordered that all non-essential businesses close.
Hotel workers were the first to be sent home. Thousands more have been laid off in the last few weeks.
Last week, Minister of Public Service and National Insurance Brensil Rolle said that some 30,000 people have applied for unemployment assistance.
The post ‘Where is your heart?’ appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/2020/04/20/where-is-your-heart/
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