Fired NICIL/SPU Driver pondering next move

A former driver/office assistant employed by NICIL had his services terminated with immediate
effect on Wednesday November 4, 2020.
Haslyn Heyliger said that he is peeved and pondering his next move after he received a letter
signed by the acting CEO terminating his services. He said that he received no warming and or
explanation for this action.
Heyliger related that he worked for the company for ten years as a Driver/Office Assistant and
was issued a termination letter despite being in possession of a three-year contract. He said that
his contract is expected to end next year. The fired employee showed this media house,
www.aroundtheregions.com copies of his contract and dismissal letter where he pointed out that
no reason was given for his dismissal. He said that despite the ten years of service with the
company, he would usually be issued with a three-year contract every three years of service. His
current three years contract, which was signed in January 2019 was expected to conclude on
December 31, 2021.
“I was working with this company since Mr. Brassington was here and those that know me
would tell you that I never was involved in politics,” he said.
Heyliger related that after Colvin Heath-London took over as head of the Special Projects Unit
(SPU), he was seconded to the unit as Mr. Heath-London’s driver.  He said that he was still
being paid as an employee of NICIL and not SPU. “When Mr. Heath-London came I was
seconded to SPU as his driver. When he acted as CEO of NICIL, I was based at NICIL again as
wherever he was, I was there as his driver. I was shocked when I was informed that my services
were terminated with no explanation. All they told me in the letter that I was being terminated
under clause 8,” an evidently distressed Heyliger said.
The father and husband said that he is in a difficult position owing to his other responsibilities as
a father and husband and is at loss as to how and when he would be able to take care of his
family. “Thursday morning, I woke up and told my daughter that I am no longer employed as I
got fired as she wanted me to buy some things for her. When I told her that she wanted to know
what I did and why I was fired, I had no answers as I can’t say if it's politics as I was never
politically involved,” he argued.

Heyyliger relayed that he is emotionally hurt and while he is confident that his wife will be very
supportive, he said that Christmas in sight and outstanding bills, he is uncertain. “This is rough
because my contract was coming to an end next year. All I got was the lieu in months’ notice and
the four days salary along with part of my gratuity, but I have bills. I owe the bank for an
existing loan, my wife and I had plans for the family for Christmas and they just fired me
without an explanation,” a puzzled Heyliger said.

The former Driver Office Assistant expressed disappointment with his former employer, NICIL
repeating that he was never an employee of SPU. He argued that even if he was fired because of
the closing down of SPU, he remains puzzled that there are several drivers with fewer years of
service and remains employed. “I am the second longest serving driver as the other driver over
me has 15 years’ service but everybody else has 4 and less years’ service. This isn’t fair and for
some reason I feel that I am being penalized because I worked as Mr. Heath-London’s driver,”
an emotional Heyliger said.
The father and husband said that because of his pressing responsibilities he is forced to seek
employment, stressing that he lives a humble life and cannot afford to sit along. He said he
sought the Ministry of Labour intervention with the view of ensuring that he receives his
benefits. “I give ten years of faithful, disciplined and dedicated service; therefore, I believe that I
was not treated properly by my previous employer,” he said.
Heyliger said the management of NICIL didn’t treat him fairly as this isn’t the way that a human
being should be treated.