KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—Two office attendants at King’s House, the Governor General’s official residence, have filed lawsuits contending that their constitutional rights are being breached because they are being prevented from continuing in their roles.
The two, Valrie Marsh Bennett and Signorina Raymond, are claiming that since October 2021, they have been hindered from returning to work because they have failed to provide COVID-19 test results.
They are seeking declarations that they are suffering financial hardships. Since April 2022, they have not received their salaries and are blocked from entering the King’s House premises.
The claimants are seeking several declarations, including that only the Governor General, acting on the advice of the Public Service Commission, can remove them as public officers under Section 125 of the Jamaican Constitution.
They contend that when they asked for letters authorizing them to leave their jobs, the Governor General’s secretary responded that they should go and speak to their union.
They disclosed that they have yet to be informed by the Public Service Commission or the Governor General that they are no longer employed as public officers.
They seek to be fully compensated from April 2022 to their claims’ determination date.
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