Last Updated on August 13, 2019, 2:25 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The impending closure of Brown Hill Communications in Nevis has sent shockwaves in the Federation following the closure of Lutron Liamuiga in St Kitts earlier this year and the temporary closure of Nevis’ Four Seasons Resort now under renovation.
The employees of Brown Hill Communications were officially informed Monday of the closure this coming September although NRP’s Carlisle Powell first made the disclosure some two weeks ago on social media.
The closure of Brown Hill Communications will leave some 138 breadwinners unemployed. In March some 100 persons lost permanent jobs when St. Kitts’ Lutron Liamuiga ceased production. Jaro Electronics, also on the C A Paul Southwell Industrial Site, reportedly promised to employ those misplaced but many of the Lutron workers complained of frustration with the procedures including incurring expenses to meet several requirements.
In June this year, some 400 employees of Nevis Four Seasons lost temporary employment when the resort closed for refurbishing. It plans to reopen in October, 2019.
As in the case of Lutron Liamuiga and Four Seasons most of the employees are single mothers and head of households.
“This is such a horrible, horrible blow to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis and especially to those mothers with young children in daycares, pre-school, primary school, secondary or high school and college,” said Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas earlier this year following the official announcement of the closure of Lutron Liamugia.
Dr Douglas also pointed out at the time that the persons affected will also have other obligations including mortgages on homes, cars and other personal matters to take care of.
“Some of them may already have children who are unemployed and are dependants and elderly parents and grandparents who depend on them for their livelihood,” said the former prime minister at the time.
He noted that loss of employment will also have psychological effects and also deal a serious blow to the advancement of the individual.
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.
