INVEST Barbados has parted ways with one of its long-serving managers, Pearlie Drakes, who has sought legal recourse.Yesterday, attorney Kerrie Symmonds, confirmed that he was acting on behalf of Drakes, who was manager of indigenous services, export division, at Invest Barbados.“He has been removed without due process. His employers have failed to extend him the courtesy of an opportunity to put his side to any issues which might have caused their action,” Symmonds said.
Symmonds said he would be seeking the appropriate level of compensation “to satisfy the outrageous treatment to which he [Drakes] has been treated after having given a lifetime of service.”According to Symmonds, Drakes has been denied all access both physical and electronic to the office he managed.
National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) general secretary Dennis Clarke told the WEEKEND NATION, that Drakes had been given a “raw deal” and his dismissal would affect the status of his pension. “The union is in the process of trying to meet with management to ensure that justice is served. Its important that Drakes is granted due process,” Clarke said.Drakes made the lateral switch to Invest Barbados after a stint with the Barbados Investment & Development Corporation. Efforts to reach management of Invest Barbados for a comment proved futile. (MK)
