There is enough information to form the basis for a report on the crushing to death of a Guyanese worker in Barbados, Guyana Honorary Consul in that country, Norman Faria says. Thirty-eight-year-old Bibi Hasim died on January 24 after power to a poultry-cleaning container was activated while she was inside. Faria had said last week that he would make “certain inquiries” with the management of the chicken farm, Star Chick firm, following the death of Hasim. In a press release issued on Thursday, Faria said he met the Chief Executive Officer of the firm. “I met with a Mr. Clarke and gathered information that would form the basis of my report to my ministry. I also spoke with several of the Guyanese employees and received other information,” he was quoted as stating.
The honorary consul also stated that he had a discussion with an official of the Barbados Ministry of Labour, which had sent an official during the week to the plant to investigate the incident, and had requested a copy of the ministry’s report. The release stated that information was also obtained from the safety officer of the Barbados Workers Union.
Faria refused to speculate on whether Hasim had been intentionally killed as a report in a section of the local media had alleged. “I made some inquiries, including on reports that while she was in the container, someone turned on the power supply, activating the mechanisms in the container which apparently crushed her. I will be writing up my views. I am also awaiting the receipt of the Barbados Ministry report,” he said.
According to the release, a post-mortem examination has already been done on the body and it is expected to be shipped to Guyana soon, accompanied by Hasim’s husband and brother, who also worked in Barbados.