The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) terminated the services of its Corporate Communications Officer, Audreyanna Thomas, with immediate effect at the end of the work day yesterday.
Thomas last night confirmed that her services were terminated by the corporation, which claimed it had lost all confidence in her and her ability to execute her duties.
Speaking to Stabroek News, Thomas, who has been functioning in the position for approximately five years, said she believed she was being penalised for a letter to the editor that was published in yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News.
Thomas, who holds a Masters of Jurisprudence in Rule of Law for Development and signed the letter as a Rule of Law Advisor/Advocate, said when she penned the letter she was exercising what she learnt in her studies.
Thomas, who in the letter called ongoing criminal investigations of the attempts to manipulate the results of the March 2nd polls unlawful, noted that she felt obligated to advocate on behalf of Deputy Chief Election Officer Roxanne Myers, who was held in police custody since Tuesday. Thomas, who said she knew Myers for 23 years and the two are sisters in Christ, urged that Myers be released, while maintaining that the ongoing investigations were unlawful.
Thomas explained that she was at work yesterday with no indication that her services would be terminated. However, she noted that just before the end of the work day, she was called to a meeting with the Human Resource Manager and she was informed that her services was being terminated with immediate effect.
Thomas said when she questioned the rationale behind the decision, she was informed that the company had lost confidence in her abilities.
When asked if she was caught off guard by the decision, Thomas responded in the affirmative, while saying that she has always dedicated her resources and ability to the development of GuySuCo.
“When I was told that the company lost confidence in my ability, I was shocked because I have gone above and beyond for this company. I was in a coma for nine hours due to stress from the job when we were battling to find solutions for the sugar workers who were being laid off. I have worked here till 9 and 10 in the night to get the work done. The security had to encourage me to go home,” Thomas said.
She noted that while she was sad over her dismissal, she was happy to contribute to the development of the company and the workers’ livelihood during her tenure.
At this juncture, Thomas said, she has not considered her future and will be taking some time for herself before moving forward.
Stabroek News last night reached out to GuySuCo’s Chief Execu-tive Officer Sasenarine Singh for a comment but these efforts were futile.
