Senator Massiah Condemns 32% Payment Offer to Former LIAT Workers
Senator David Massiah has condemned the government’s decision to offer a 32% payout to former LIAT workers, describing it as inadequate and a betrayal of the labor force.
During the Senate budget debate, Massiah criticised the move, arguing that it falls short of the government’s earlier commitments to the airline’s employees, many of whom have faced severe financial hardships since LIAT’s collapse in 2020.
“It is a slap in the face of the working class,” Massiah said. “The government, which once claimed to be the saviour of LIAT, has turned its back on the very workers who kept the airline afloat during its most difficult times.”
The senator recalled that when the government first proposed rescuing the airline, workers had agreed to a “haircut”—a reduction in their claims—by contributing 30% of their severance entitlements as equity in the restructured company. However, the government’s current offer of 32% falls far short of the workers’ expectations.
Massiah accused the government of reneging on its promises and failing to honour its obligations to the affected workers. He said many former employees are now struggling to provide for their families, with some unable to meet critical financial commitments such as school fees and mortgages.
“People who sacrificed their time, energy, and livelihoods to keep LIAT operational are now being told to accept crumbs. This is unacceptable for a government that claims to care about workers,” he stated.
The senator urged the government to rethink its position and commit to a phased approach that ensures workers eventually receive their full entitlements. He cited the example of Barbados, which offered severance packages up to a certain threshold, with the balance to be paid over time.
Massiah also highlighted the urgency of the matter, noting that some former LIAT employees have already passed away without receiving their dues.
“The government must act now. These workers deserve better. They gave their best to LIAT, and it is time the government gives its best to them,” he concluded.
The proposed payout remains a contentious issue, with labour unions and former LIAT employees continuing to press for a more equitable resolution.
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This man DOES NOT CARE ABOUT WORKERS!
No sure of the disbursements…But is Liat a consortium between a few islands with a percentage shares? Didn’t Barbados pay their ‘Liat” workers…but Not too sure is the paid monies was indicative of the shares (percentage) vested in Liat. Also, did Barbados pay any other Liat workers outside of Barbados?
Didn’t the Gov mad a 50% offer and then the Union rejected? then the GOV postulated that since the 50% was rejected, it would then resort to its vested share percentage in LIAT? But yet again, not too sure is that offer was for ALL Liat workers or JUST the workers in Antigua.
Can some please clarify?
LIAT workers should find a new union immediately!
This man David Massiah strong armed them into rejecting a 50% payment when the government’s obligation was only 32%.
David Massiah robbed them of 18% of their severance that was not a government obligation and now want’s to play righteous?
Guess that’s just the UPP way under the Pringle Puppet.
Shameful!
A new liquidation notice has been published for LIAT(1974) Ltd so maybe the matter can now be pursued in the courts.
==========================================================
November 28th, 2024 THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA OFFICIAL GAZETTE No. 73
4
Liat (1974) Limited Noitce
LIAT (1974) LIMITED
(In Liquidation)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, Cleveland Seaforth and Raquel Glynn of BDO Eastern Caribbean, Cnr. Factory Road &
Carnival Gardens, St. John’s, Antigua, have been appointed as Joint Liquidators of LIAT (1974) LIMITED with
effect from October 24, 2024.
Notice is also given to any person, who believes that the Company holds property belonging to him/her or property in which
he/she has rights, should submit his/her claim in writing to the Joint Liquidators with all supporting documents in respect
of such ownership or right.
All persons holding any property, documents, books and records of the Company are requested to deliver them forthwith to the
Joint Liquidators.
Notice is further given that all sums due to the Company should be payable to the Joint Liquidators and receipts for
such payments shall only be valid if they bear the signature of the Joint Liquidators or their duly appointed
representative(s).
Any person having a claim against the Company, whether liquidated, unliquidated, future or contingent, is required to present
particulars of their claim in writing to the Joint Liquidators not later than December 15, 2024.
The business, assets and affairs of the Company are under the control of the Joint Liquidators, who are agents of the Company
and act without personal liability.
All correspondences should be addressed to:
Cleveland Seaforth and Raquel Glynn
Joint Liquidators
Contact for enquiries: Address for Service:
Name: Cleveland Seaforth/Raquel Glynn Cnr. Factory Road & Carnival Gardens
Telephone: (268) 462 8868/9 P.O. Box 3109
Facsimile: (26) 462 8808 St. John’s, Antigua
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
I’ve never understood how Severence works with a liquidated company with no assets.
It doesn’t make sense. Mr. PM, can you enlighten us? I don’t understand how there can be negotiation when there’s nothing. 32% is low, but it is better than 0%.
The question is whether a Company that is totally owned by Governments should be allowed to be able to just walk away from obligations due to bankruptcy ?.
And apply that question beyond just LIAT(1974) Ltd .
Note to self : I should probably look at something like the the State Insurance Company Limited Act, 1985 to see if there are any provisions there outside of the Acts governing Insurance companies and the Companies act to see if there is any extra protection there ………..
Research the History.NOTE:BARBADOS GOVERNMENT,as a major shareholder with 51% equity,has paid the Barbados-based workers 100% severance with $75,000.00 lump sum and the balance with BONDS issued by the government for a period of four years also BARBADIAN NATIONALS BASED in ANTIGUA received their 100% severance.ST LUCIA government,a non- shareholder,paid the workers based in ST LUCIA 100% of their SEVERANCE.It is only fair for the ANTIGUA based workers to receive 100% of their SEVERANCE.
Such a shame that we are left in the cold by our PM that is to take care of us. Papa Bird turning in his grave. He fought for workers rights which include severance payment. I still can’t eat a daily meal since I was cast out of liat with 2 months pay outstanding, vacation pay, retroactive pay, click bankruptcy. We having it really really bad. HELP!¡HELP WE ARE DYING OF HUNGER and threatened by banks.
Such a shame that we are left in the cold by our PM that is to take care of us. Papa Bird turning in his grave. He fought for workers rights which include severance payment. I still can’t eat a daily meal since I was cast out of liat with 2 months pay outstanding, vacation pay, retroactive pay. We having it really really bad. HELP!¡HELP WE ARE DYING OF HUNGER and threatened by banks.
On the otherhand the PM made this statement a while ago and many are looking forward to have some sort of monies to help and now is when the union addressing this.
GB you need to RAISE the DEBT CEILING and PAY the 100% SEVERANCE OWE TO LIAT (1974) LTD WORKERS,ALSO THE CLICO/BAICO POLICY HOLDERS WHICH PREVIOUS AND PAST GOVERNMENTS HAVE FAILED TO REGULATE INSTEAD OF BULL SHITTING THE PEOPLE THAT DEBT TO GDB IN ANTIGUA IS 61%WE DO NOT BUY THAT.NOTE:THE ADULT LITERACY RATE IN ANTIGUA IS 99% BLESSINGS TO THE LATE PAPA BIRD . I HOPE YOU ARE NOT PART OF THE 1% with a DEGREE THAT IS ILLITERATE .THE MOTTLEY ADMINISTRATION IN BARBADOS RAISE THE DEBT CEILING AND PAY THE CLICO /BAICO POLICYHOLDERS,ALSO THE LIAT (1974)LTD WORKERS 100% OF THEIR SEVERANCE AND WON THE ELECTIONS LANDSLIDE VICTORY.GB HAS NO INTENTIONS OF PAYING.UPP PRINGLE DO THE NUMBERS RAISE THE DEBT CEILING AND PAY THE LIAT (1974)LTD WORKERS THEIR 100% SEVERANCE ALSO THE CLICO/BAICO POLICY HOLDERS AND YOU WILL WIN THE ELECTION LANDSLIDE VICTORY. PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING.BY PAYING THE LIAT WORKERS AND THE CLICO/BAICO POLICY HOLDERS THE MONEY WILL CIRCULATE IN THE ANTIGUA ECONOMY. THAT IS WHY THE MOTTLEY ADMINISTRATION PAID THE CLICO/ BAICO POLICYHOLDERS AND THE LIAT WORKERS .YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST OR HAVE A DEGREE BASIC COMMON SENSE.SHOW GB WHAT A LEADER WITHOUT A DEGREE CAN INFLICT.ABLP WON THE ELECTIONS BY RE INSTATING A TAX FREE SALARY.
Typo error GDP ( GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT).PREVIOUS AND PRESENT GOVERNMENTS HAVE FAILED TO REGULATE CLICO/BAICO.
Typo error GDP ( GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT).PREVIOUS AND PRESENT GOVERNMENTS .
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