Abrupt Layoffs Stun Norman’s Cay Employees

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Imagine showing up to work like any other day, only to be told it’s your last day on the job.

Well, that was the reality for Geoffrey Miller who worked in the Live Stock Department at Norman’s Cay Resort development.

Norman’s Cay, a private island development, has now become a place of deep frustration and disappointment for dozens of employees.

Miller says he had no idea that Friday would be his final day.

He clocked in like always, but by early Friday afternoon everything changed.

Gregory Miller – Former Norman’s Cay Employee

“Friday…I went over there and…I went to work like as usual…after one o’clock they call me and then they tell me…they don’t need my service…,” Miller said.

Videos circulating online show what appear to allegedly be the personal belongings of laid-off staff dumped outside in boxes.

Miller was one of 81 workers, 57 of whom are Bahamians were abruptly let go.

He says after giving years of his life to the company, being let go so abruptly was painful.

The move also catches the government by surprise as Labour Minister Pia Glover-Rolle told Our News over the weekend that they were only given 24 hours notice before the layoffs took effect.

She says her department is now in active talks with the legal team for Norman’s Cay.

However they’re not the only government agency involved, as this morning, immigration officers were on the island for what Immigration Director William Pratt called a “operational check”.

We asked if Monday’s events were connected with Friday’s lay-offs.

William Pratt – Director, Immigration

“We are having [an] operational check going on…and we just doing a check to make sure the…operations are compliance with…the laws of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” Pratt said.

Meantime, Miller and his former co-workers are left to pick up the pieces.