COVID-19 lawsuits filed by King’s House workers set for Constitutional Court in February 2025
Published:Friday | September 20, 2024 | 4:41 PM
The Constitutional Court is to hear the motion brought by office attendants Valrie Marsh Bennett and Signorina Raymond who have been blocked from entering their place of employment at King's House, the Governor General's residence, since October 2021.
A first hearing was held in the Supreme Court on Wednesday and the matter is set for full hearing in the Constitutional Court on February 10 and 11 next year.
The women have been hindered from going to work since October 2021 because of failure to provide COVID-19 test results.
They filed lawsuits in March this year contending that their constitutional rights were being breached.
The claimants who have not received any salaries since April 2022 say they are suffering financial hardships.
Raymond, who has been employed at King's House since July 2012, stated in her claim form that she did furnish her workplace with a medical report which stated the reason she was unable to take the vaccine.
Marsh Bennett has been employed at King's House since 2011.
On October 6, 2021, when they turned up for work, they were prevented from entering the premises because orders were given to members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force to block them.
They said they have not been informed by the Public Service Commission or the Governor General that they were no longer employed as public officers.
The Attorney General is the defendant in the claim in which the claimants are seeking several declarations.
Yesterday, Justice Andrea Pettigrew-Collins ordered that the defendant should file his affidavit in relation to the claim before October 3.
Attorney-at-law Hugh Wildman has been instructed by the Jamaica Civil Service Association to represent the women.
- Barbara Gayle
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.