THE BARBADOS INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (BIDC) has rescinded the decision to appoint Tony Johnson as acting director of small business at the statutory corporation.

Chairman Douglas Skeete told the DAILY NATION yesterday the BIDC met with officials of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) on Thursday and Friday and a decision was taken to allow acting director of international business Emeline Taitt to continue to hold both positions.

He said the position of director of international business became vacant following the appointment of Peggy Griffith as chief executive officer of the Fair Trading Commission.

Skeete said holding the two offices was burdensome to Taitt, so it was decided Johnson should be appointed to the temporary position of director of small business for six months, beginning November 1.

He stressed that at no time was an attempt being made to bring Johnson through the back door.

Last Tuesday, about 30 workers took industrial action protesting the appointment of Johnson.

At that time union spokeswoman Delcia Burke said the NUPW had given the BIDC's chief executive officer Anthony Sobers until last Friday to reverse the decision.

She complained that the vacancy was not advertised internally and therefore employees were not given an opportunity to apply for the job.

(NC)