Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
Bernice Bell-McNeil (left) and Linnette Bell, widows of farm workers killed recently in Canada, are consoled by Labour Minister Horace Dalley - JIS PHOTO
THE MINISTRY of Labour and Social Security will be taking legal action against the driver who hit and killed two Jamaican farm workers in Canada, last week.
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Horace Dalley, made the disclosure on Tuesday at the ministry's North Street office in Kingston during a meeting with family members of the deceased, William Bell and Desmond McNeill.
"Our lawyers in Canada have already started to file liability claims against the driver, owner and insurance company of the car," he explained. "I think all of us here know that these things will have to go to court."
CONTEMPLATING IMPROVED BENEFITS
Mr. Dalley also disclosed that the Labour Ministry was contemplating improving the insurance benefits for farm workers in Canada.
He said the number of accidents with farm workers was occurring too frequently, with two accidents occurring in 1999 and another worker killed in 2004 while on the job.
"The season is coming to an end and although death is not a regular occurrence, one is too much, two is too much. They will have to go into a different insurance scheme," he said.
The wives of the deceased, Linett Bell and Bernice Bell-McNeill, were presented with cheques comprising insurance, funeral grants, and widows' and National Insurance scheme benefits. The ministry also donated $100,000 to each family to assist with funeral expenses.
But the comforting words and monetary contributions failed to console family members. The tears flowed freely as their sombre faces reflected the inner pain they were feeling.
Mrs. McNeill told The Gleaner that her husband was greatly missed, especially by his two teenage daughters who are currently suffering from the shock of the death of their father.
"Right now, he is the only breadwinner for his family. Both of the children are going to high school, so it really rough on me," she said in a hoarse voice.
Mrs. McNeill said when she heard that her husband was dead, she fainted.
"I just couldn't believe it because I spoke with him the Monday and he told me he was counting down the days to come home and I told him I am doing the same because I missed him so much," she said sadly.
But Mr. Bell's daughter, Karian, is angry that no arrest has been made in relation to the deaths and expressed dissatisfaction that her family would not be able to access the Workers' Compensation Benefit.
"I am thinking that for two years the wives are going to be alone without any support and if their husbands were there, they would be supporting them," she argued. "The settlement will be taking a very long time so I am wondering how are they going to survive."
But Minister Dalley explained that because the men were not on the job, they would not be able to benefit from this compensation.
"If they were killed on the job, immediately Workmen Compensation Board would trip in if it was between the hours of work," he explained.
Mr. Bell, the only breadwinner in his family, died leaving eight children, one of whom is still going to school.
According to police reports, the deceased were riding their bicycles from the camp of Simcoe Town Centre when a motor car hit them from behind, killing both Bell and McNeill.
Injured in that same accident was 35-year-old Frederick Smith of Ticky Ticky, Coleyville, Manchester.
