A TOTAL OF 160 trade disputes have been filed so far with the Ministry of Labour by the Banking, Insurance and General Workers’ Union (BIGWU) in response to the firing of 400 URP orkers, with more disputes and legal action to come.

President of BIGWU Don Devenish confirmed to Newsday on September 13, that the union also intends to seek legal recourse by charging Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Kadijah Ameen and the ministry with an industrial relations infringement under section 25 of the Retrenchment and Severance Benefit Act.

“We are not seeking reinstatement. We are also seeking damages for the defamation and the manner of their dismissal,” said Devenish in a phone call with Newsday on September 13.