Last Updated on August 14, 2019, 1:45 AM AST by Anthony Morris
With the saddened heart, the Premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley informed that Brown Hill Communication has formally adviced the staff that effective, September 3, that the business will close doors in Nevis.
After holding a meeting with the management and staff of the Brwon Hill Communication at their call centre Brantly on Tuesday released a statement regarding the impending closure of Brown Hill Communications, a call centre on Nevis.
Brantley said that he is saddened to report that the staff of call centre at Brown Hill was formally advised by Brown Hill Communications that effective September, 3rd 2019, that business will close its doors in Nevis.
As per information, the move will put an impact on the economic situation of Nevis Island as around 138 employees and their families are gonna hit by the shutdown, moreover, it will put the wider impact on the economy of Nevis island.
“This devastating news was first shared with me as Premier of Nevis in a meeting convened between the management of Brown Hill Communications and my office around 10 days ago on the afternoon of Friday 2nd August, at approximately 3:15 p.m.,” said Brantley.
He said the reason provided by the management of the Brown Hill Communications that its main client, Bell Canada, had changed its business model. “A number of the services previously provided by Brown Hill Communications for Bell Canada have been automated. The result is that the services of Brown Hill Communications will no longer be utilized by Bell Canada, and as a result Brown Hill Communications will close its operations in Nevis effective September 3rd, 2019,” he said.
He said that the news was not immediately communicated to the people of Nevis by the administration as Brown Hill Communications requested that it be allowed to speak to its employees before any public statement was made. He said now, the company has formally advised its employees, and so he can speak to people in his capacity as Premier of our island.
Brantley said that an emergency meeting of full Cabinet of the administration has been held on August 4 to discuss the best response to the sudden response to the sudden news of closure as this is the administration’s a duty to look after the interest of the people of Nevis particularly during difficult times such as these.
He further informed that during the meeting the Cabinet has decided on various strategies to tackle the problem and he is leading the effort personally to find a solution.
“Since the announcement to us of the closure, the administration has been in regular contact with Brown Hill Communications and its management team. To this end, I am pleased that Brown Hill Communications has committed that workers who worked with them for one to seven years will receive a gratuitous payment of three months’ salary. Those who worked eight to nine years will receive four months’ salary and those who worked over 10 years will receive five months’ salary. In addition, workers will continue to receive their bonuses and will be paid their holiday pay,” he said.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
