In January of 2023 workers at the facility reportedly met with management, led by former BIU President, Derrick Burgess and were reportedly informed their vacation days as well as their sick leave would be reduced by seven days each.
TNN News was told prior to that staff with one to three years of service received 17 vacation days and staff with three years and more receive 20 vacation days.
The reduction in vacation and sick days was supposedly due to financial difficulties and would be for one year. The workers claim they were promised they would be given a letter outlining this, but the letter never materialised.
One worker, a Bermudian, reportedly went on vacation in December last year and was dismissed while on vacation. She was allegedly warned not to return to the facility under threat of being reported to police if she did.
Concerned about the situation, the workers say they decided to check to see whether the social insurance deductions being made from their salaries were being paid to the social insurance department.
They say they were at first told the payments were being made, but were subsequently informed that management were delinquent in making those payments and the matter was now before the courts.
Pension payments are also said to be an issue with payments not being made by management and contributions not being deducted from the workers salaries.
A guest worker from Jamaica is said to have died while employed at Matilda Smith. The workers say it was when her relatives arrived here to sort out her affairs that they learned her social insurance had not been paid.
The workers say they are being intimidated and when they speak up they are being threatened with termination of employment.
TNN was informed there are thirteen workers currently employed at the seniors care home. They are scheduled to meet with the Bermuda Industrial Union which represents them, but fear it will be to no avail, given that Derrick Burgess the former head of the BIU is Chairman of the Matilda Smith Board.
“When contacted for a response about the allegations being made by the staff at Matilda Smith, Mr. Burgess declined comment, but did indicate a meeting is with the workers is scheduled for Friday of next week.”
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