Outrage in Dangriga Over Sudden Western Dairies Dismissals

There’s growing outrage tonight in Dangriga after a group of women say they were suddenly fired without warning or explanation. The dismissals came in the form of a brief letter telling them “their services were no longer needed”. The women say they never received a warning, never faced disciplinary action, and were left without answers, leading them to believe that it was racially charged. Their stories quickly spread on social media, sparking heated discussion and anger across the community. Dangriga’s mayor, Robert Mariano, says he could not ignore the calls from his constituents. He has since launched an investigation and plans to involve community groups and stakeholders in the process, by holding a town hall meeting tonight. So far, Western Dairies has only released a press statement claiming the women’s termination was lawfully executed and directing them to the Labor Department if they wish to contest it. Here’s the mayor speaking on the matter.

 

Robert Mariano, Dangriga Mayor

“They showed me a document which was given to them from their supervisor. And the document, to my mind, is very vague because the letter states, this letter is to inform you that as of today, Friday, September 12th, which was, of course, this was Saturday when I spoke with them, and when they received the letter, the establishment no longer in need of your service. We thank you for your service working for us. And then they have the compensation that they are to receive. And I believe that by right in relation to natural justice, these people are to know why they are being released. What is damning as well is that I spoke with the young ladies and asked them how long they have worked at the establishment. And they mentioned to me that they have been working there for something like 15 months. And I asked them, have you received a letter as yet in relation to any irregularities? And they have mentioned no. They haven’t received any notice, no warning, no anything, right? And then I later received from one of them an employee rules and regulation. And it’s a NB, employees not abiding to the above, which was from one to 17, will go through the below disciplinary procedures. And they say one, verbal warning, two, written warning, three, suspension or expulsion. But speaking to the young ladies, they have not received any of those. And again, there was no reason for decision in the letter of termination.”