Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterMEMBERS OF the Senate yesterday condemned the alleged beating of employees of a Super Plus Food Store in Mandeville and described the act as "heinous" and "barbaric".
Speaking on the motion for the adjournment of the Senate, Government Senator and union leader, Navel Clarke, first initiated the condemnation of the beatings.
"No one expected that people at that level, as is reported, would be the perpetrators of such a heinous and brutal action. It is shameful man!" said Senator Clarke in disgust. "I believe that we as a Senate, we as a people and leaders in our country, must send a strong message, that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour against workers."
He called on all Jamaicans, including the human rights groups, to speak out against such acts. Senator Clarke said such actions as allegedly carried out were reminiscence of the 1800s when the owners of plantations used to beat their slaves.
Dwight Nelson, Opposition senator and president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), joined in the condemnation, arguing the act was "heinous" and "represented a dark day in the life of the poor Jamaican people".
POLICE COMMENDED
Senator Nelson also commended the police on swiftly bringing the perpetrators to book as, he claimed, justice is often slow because of the economic status of such persons.
Opposition Senator Prudence Kidd-Deans challenged the unions to be more proactive in protecting workers from physical and mental abuse which, she claimed, was widespread in the workplace.
She suggested managers should be trained in how to relate to their staff.
In the meantime, Government Senator Trevor Munroe said too many worker
violations were occurring in the workplace and needed to be addressed.
He said statistics from the Labour Ministry's annual report showed there were increases in complaints from workers about violations of their maternity rights, minimum wage, redundancy payments and others.
"I am calling on the employers of this country to cease and desist in causing our working people to complain (about) violations of these laws over years," he said.
But in departing from the general tone of the day, Opposition Senator Dr. Christopher Tufton said it was critical to note that the management of Super Plus has expressed regret over the incident and has promised to ensure that justice takes its course.
On Wednesday, placard-bearing demonstrators stormed the Mandeville Courthouse calling for justice for two employees, 18-year-old Michael Sinclair and 20-year-old Ranaldo Dawes, who were allegedly beaten by general manager Jeremy Chen and four supervisors.
According to police reports, the men were beaten with an axe handle and shovel, after they were accused of having knowledge of stolen liquor.
Mr. Chen and the supervisors were subsequently remanded in custody.
