MARIGOT--A man chained himself to the entrance gate of Inspection du Travail Monday morning at 8:30 in protest at what he claimed was abuse of power by his employer.
It was understood the man's first name is Julio and he had been working for a company called Bâtiment des Iles du Nord for eight months. He was wearing a cut-out face mask and had passed a chain around his neck and through the fence of Inspection du Travail and locked it with a padlock.
While his appearance looked seriously threatening, he said he was only there to stand up for his rights and for justice.
The man claimed he had been tricked into signing a voluntary resignation document by his employer without understanding what was written in the document or understanding French law.
As a consequence of resigning, he is unable to draw the State's unemployment benefit (ASSEDIC) and has no money to support and feed his family and pay his bills.
"I had a contract from this employer and he said he would pay me every month and he never did; he paid me any how and any time he wanted, every two or more months," the man protested. "I was desperate. There is a lot of abuse by employers here and everybody is closing their mouths. But when it gets too much, a revolution must come. I will stay here until I get justice. When you don't have papers, you get abused and when you do have papers you still get abused."
The man's protest got the attention of the Gendarmes and officials of the Préfecture and the Employment Office, who came to see what his protest was about.
President of Rambaud St. Louis Fête Association Etienne "Rocky" Andrew just happened to be walking past the area when he noticed the man chained to the fence.
"I believe this man is entitled to his rights, like everybody, and justice should be served," said Andrew. "It's a sad situation to see, but I'm sure there are others in the same situation as he is. The difference is he had the courage to make a firm stand."
Andrew assisted in drawing the man's situation to the attention of the Employment Office and Inspection du Travail's, who are looking into his case. He indicated that the man should also receive some help from the Department of Solidarity and Families.
Capitaine Sylvain Jouault said the man ended his protest at 10:30am and released himself from the chain.
Efforts to contact the employer for the other side of the story were unsuccessful.
