From John McCormack.
HOW must the ex-employees from Woolworths feel in the knowledge that their counterparts in the UK will receive proportionate severance pay of over £190,000, while they, some with over 30 years’ service under their belt, walk away with nothing? They have been offered counselling – how sweet!

This redundancy law, or lack of it, has been festering for a long, long time and the States have had donkey’s years to address it. It has never suited them, as this Island is mainly governed by the rich. They will be well aware that it is an added attraction for any firm to operate in the Island knowing that if things go wrong, they can walk away with no financial commitment.

The States of Jersey should pay the full redundancy amount to these unfortunate, blameless people to compensate for their own incompetence and neglect, not to mention guilt. God knows, they have wasted millions over the years.

On a similar theme, when will legislation be introduced to protect savers in the Island? Former Chief Minister Frank Walker said, ‘No one has ever lost money in Jersey’. What kind of comment was that? The Titanic only sank once.

As regards the Woolies situation, our present Chief Minister said: ‘Money would only help in the short-term’. Well, these people are concerned with the short-term. They have bills to pay. Senator Le Sueur also said: ‘It is jobs they want’. Yes, they do, but there are none.

Jersey is always dragging the anchor. Remember it took 20 years to allow McDonalds into Jersey. This latest outrage with Woolies should ensure the law is changed immediately with full compensation paid to those affected.

I hope national publicity is given to this scandal, because it is nothing new for Jersey to be embarrassed on the world stage.
1 Caesarea Court,
Windsor Road,
St Helier.