Hurst fears ABLP workers on the Barbuda Council will lose their jobs

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The jobs of workers who gained employment on the Barbuda Council when the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party had the majority vote may be at stake.
That’s according to government’s Chief of Staff, Lionel “Max” Hurst.
The government official, who was speaking to reporters at the weekly Cabinet press conference on Thursday, was reacting to recent statements that council workers will be cut from the payroll if they do not return to the sister isle to assist in the re-building process.
Member of Parliament for Barbuda Trevor Walker issued the warning on Wednesday when the reconstituted Barbuda Council held its first meeting.
Walker, who is also the new deputy chair of the council said the body cannot continue to pay people who are unwilling to return to the island to do their part.
However, Hurst is contending that when the ABLP had majority seats on the council a number of people were added to the payroll.
He is now fearful that these ABLP supporters will be victimised.
“We have warned Trevor Walker about political victimisation. We warned that if he plans to reduce the council, there must be no indication that he is aiming at ABLP supporters. We fear that this is the underlying reason why he is making these pronouncements,” Hurst said.
The reconstituted Barbuda Council passed a resolution this week that as of July 1, those workers who remain in Antigua will not be paid by the Council.
Information Minister Melford Nicholas also responded to Walker’s statements, suggesting that the decision falls in line with government’s stated position – that the state can no longer  continue to cushion displaced Barbudans who are able to work but refuse.

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