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Riteway staff trapped in store during TS Ernesto

-staff instructed to stay indoors inside store
Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) has been reliably informed that staff members of Riteway in Pasea Estate in Road Town, were stuck at the building during the passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Photo: Facebook/Riteway
PASEA ESTATE, Tortola, VI- Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) has been reliably informed that staff members of Riteway in Pasea Estate in Road Town, were stuck at the building during the passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.

A staff member confirmed to VINO that someone in management informed workers on that day that “money has to be made” before exiting the store leaving the workers behind. 

30 workers slept on furniture inside Riteway 

About thirty workers were on shift that day. VINO was also informed that workers on shift were instructed by police officers to remain indoors inside the supermarket. 

“Unfortunately, the manager did not close the store early due to the weather,” VINO’s source said. 

The workers, some of whom have families and children, had to sleep on furniture upstairs. Most of the employees were part-time workers whose shift would end during the course of closing hours between 9 and 10 p.m.

Riteway was contacted for comment, however no response was received by publishing time. VINO will continue to follow this story and give an update when available. 

Ernesto caused heavy rainfall and flooding in the Virgin Islands, turning into a category 1 Hurricane on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. 

 

49 Responses to “Riteway staff trapped in store during TS Ernesto”

  • smh (17/08/2024, 09:40) Like (69) Dislike (4) Reply
    Yet distributing drinks to BVIEC workers and not taking care of their own…SHAMEFUL!

    That should have been complimentary food and drinks while treated like hostages.
    • WARNING - STOP TRYING TO OUTSMART GOD!!!!!!!! (17/08/2024, 11:40) Like (45) Dislike (25) Reply
      We knew a storm would come after the lawlessness, half nakedness, worthless behaviour, idolizing these performers, so-called pastors organizing Poker Run and Music Fest - STOP TRYING TO OUTSMART GOD!!!!!!!!

      People DO NOT SEEM TO LEARN from the previous August Flood, Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Covid or anything else!!!!

      Take the time while you don’t have electricity and after you get it back to ask God to change any sinful way you are living, that you need to REPENT from and CHANGE. It DOES NOT STOP AT REPENTING.
      • @ Warnng (17/08/2024, 14:33) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        You sound possessed with nothing sense. Get an education!
      • WOW (17/08/2024, 17:28) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        HEY HEY HEY!!!!!!!Are you God? Let God be rhe judge. I pray that you ask God to take that kind of hate out of your heart. Take that judgemental way from you..
    • @ SMH (17/08/2024, 12:07) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      That’s for SHOW, nasty inside but want to look good on the outside :)
  • ..... (17/08/2024, 09:45) Like (54) Dislike (3) Reply
    yea boi that sound like them money hungry movements money over staff safety
  • Not surprised! (17/08/2024, 09:50) Like (57) Dislike (0) Reply
    This does not come as a surprise. Yes, we understand money has to make’ however, RTW or its management should be considerate of their workers in these situations. Would it have hurt their bank account if they had closed earlier than expected?

    I guess they will blame the last minute customers who patron their stores. RTW & management please do better next time.

  • ViGYaL (17/08/2024, 10:07) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
    If this alleged allegation is true it is becoming a regular thing now in the BVI. In the past BVI people were given time to secure their homes and properties before a storm hits. Now some unscrupulous managers that are now becoming prevalent in the BVI work staff up to the very minute before the storm hits. I know of a few trust companies known for doing this now…
  • hello (17/08/2024, 10:10) Like (13) Dislike (46) Reply
    at least they had light and access to things to eat & drink while some of us were in darkness for hours
    • @ Hello (17/08/2024, 11:32) Like (59) Dislike (1) Reply
      At least NOTHING!

      They have homes, family, and children to attend to as well.
      • @@ Hello (17/08/2024, 14:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        who put a gun to their head
        the US Dollar got some of U like that

        They had the option of staying where the fu@$ they live with family or friends

        Try gu sid down(where they not aware of the pending storm coming to the country where them live but the money!!!!!
    • Therefore (17/08/2024, 13:43) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
      Overtime, Overtime, I would want overtime from 9 pm until I got home the other day.

      The Government needs to take a stand. In cases of emergencies, when the government stipulates everyone should be off the road by a certain time, employers who put their staff in that predicament should be heavily fined. If people are required to be off the street by 8 pm, a business cannot close at 8 pm, it should be closed 7 pm the lastest. BVI stop playing.
    • Dear hello (17/08/2024, 15:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      How sickening is your comment?, these people live somewhere, family, most likely young children who need attention in a storm, and darkness things to secure, and you here make fun about light and things to eat? Are those things better than their homes and families? You sickening disgusting, and disrespectful to these people. And store, business, or company who put money over employees in impending danger, should be Sued. Shame on you RTW/Right Way, you definitely going down the Wrong Way, with your most vulnerable resources, and that’s your Valued EMPLOYEES. That manager is not a manager, he need to be FIRED, and take them to court for endangering 30 lives because of GREED
  • Yes follow up (17/08/2024, 10:10) Like (42) Dislike (1) Reply
    Rite Way ridiculous. Open early and close at 1:00 or 2:00 PM. People needed to be with their families during the storm, not trapped in RW.
  • LOL (17/08/2024, 10:27) Like (54) Dislike (1) Reply
    Always been the same, in previous storms staff sent home when it is too late to protect their own homes. Also being told to report back long before the all clear is issued. Needs to be investigated
  • jack (17/08/2024, 10:29) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is sickening they don't care
  • Stealth (17/08/2024, 10:37) Like (41) Dislike (1) Reply

    Unquestionably, Riteway don’t give a rat’s @$$ about its employees and their families,,security and well-being, valuing profit over th well-being of their employees. This is exploitation, abuse, etc. The VI just completed a 190 years of emancipation of physical slavery , and 70 years of festival celebrating emancipation. Is this an example of modern day slavery? Hon L. Smith, you need to address this or it hits too close to home? Riteway must recognized as the worst employer of the year, shoukd it not?

    • @Stealth (17/08/2024, 11:19) Like (16) Dislike (7) Reply
      @ Stealth, did the employees volunteer to shelter in place in the store? If no are they going to paid overtime? Worst employer of the year??? Lol!!! They are a top contender. Bunch of greedy, selfish bastards. I say boycott them for their exploitation, abusive , insensitivity, indefensible, behavior.
    • RealPol (17/08/2024, 19:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Stealth, indeed, the Riteway Management is so tone deaf, and don’t understand the need for its employees to be given ample time to go to secure their homes/properties, take action to protect and secure their families,etc. Is it so focus on profit, neglecting the well-being of their employees who they conveniently like to say is their most valuable resource. Nevertheless, when time come to take action to demonstrate their commitment to taking care of employees they have failed miserably. Riteway Management has failed and should be ashame of itself.
  • hmm (17/08/2024, 10:38) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    All businesses should have been closed Wednesday morning. The government have to o make this happen next time something like this happen again.
  • TruDat! (17/08/2024, 11:12) Like (36) Dislike (0) Reply
    Those staff need to be paid overtime for every hour they were there, and the furniture they were forced to sleep on should be sold at a discount because it's now used. Are you still making money?!?!??!
  • Probably better off (17/08/2024, 11:14) Like (7) Dislike (36) Reply
    Ayo bawlin but them people probably better off in the store with air conditioning, WiFi, food and drink and sleeping on nicer furniture then they gah home. Anyone interview them staff to see if they vex? I didn’t think so. Gtfoh
  • VOTER6BVI (17/08/2024, 11:23) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    Let us be careful because some ago there was information comes out about ROAD TOWN WHOLESALE SOMETIMES AGO AND IT WASN'T TRUE. PS I NEVER FOR THEM JUST A CUSTOMER

  • bvi (17/08/2024, 11:24) Like (4) Dislike (28) Reply
    Be honest with ourselves; no one, including RTW, expected such an impact from this system as it was mistakenly categorized as a Tropical storm and not a hurricane. They were just catering to the panic shoppers
    • GREED (17/08/2024, 15:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Listen!!!! Stop chat nonsense. When government give orders to close, it means CLOSE, who wait till the minute to run to store, too bad. Too much procrastination in hurricane, no need to panic hours before a storm or hurricane. ????, everyone have ample time and opportunity to get ready. Running to a store when it supposed to get closed, so people can be off the street, and be home, is no dame excuse. But many businesses, companies and individuals people can do a lot of illegal stuff, and get away with it, because of who they are, their name, and their connections to government officials. If it was in the USA and other countries, RTW/Right Way would be investigated and prosecuted for engaging 30 plus people lives, that would be millions of dollars. Even if any employee want to Volunteer to stay, EMPLOYER must say NO, you can’t. It against company policies, It’s dangerous, Government gave orders, I must close, you can be hurt/killed,” then Who is responsible? Me”
    • @bvi (17/08/2024, 16:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If those workers were there Tuesday afternoon when the storm started at around 8pm they should have closed up and go home. There were news going around that the storm will start a to add about 8pm. My boss send us home at about 3pm. Wednesday morning nowhere could a open after Tuesday night impact.
  • Not BVI BVI mind overwrote (17/08/2024, 11:31) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look I find this hard to fathom. Because real BVI people aint playing no fool after Irma and we (I) aint staying in no business place for a manager when I know my life, home & family needs reinforcement. It could be Richy richy incarnate and Id doubt any of the billionaires would do that to their staff. Poor people arent tired taking licks, they line up for it.

    Gosh man this is upsetting between the workers & management. 30+ workers?!

    Slavery is over. Hellooo we just celebrated emancipation. This is why I dont like the work permit system, forein workers contracted for a year+ take licks like nothing, and the managers get used to abusing people.

    Iv been there, iv had managers disrespect me. Guess what like I said before I walk on them & thats why they dont want to hire local, ill go right home to my bed and be comfortable when they start their crap while paying minimum.

    Slavery is over.
  • Not BVI BVI mind overwrote (17/08/2024, 11:35) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    @Yes follow up comment... it would hurt their bank account if one of the workers got injured or had a dependent-minor family member injured during the storm after being stuck in the building unexpectedly, especially with management in full knowledge of this storm approaching, there would be no excuse in court. But these types of big business bank on the employees not having funds to initiate them on their negligence in court.

    We all know this is reckless beyond common sense.
  • Criminal (17/08/2024, 11:41) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    RTW food prices are criminal and now this, Labor needs to investigate this North West Company who owns RTW and who promised to lower food prices when they took over. As someone mentioned open earlier so people can stock up and then close early so staff can prepare for the storm. Maybe a lawsuit will make them think twice about money over safety.
  • Cindy (17/08/2024, 11:49) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    check to see who management is
  • These bosses are losses. (17/08/2024, 12:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Imagine prison management wasted no time departing off duty to go home and prepare for Ernesto, while junior staff remained on the compound to complete their duties..
  • Greed. (17/08/2024, 12:52) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    They all should have been in their houses by 630pm. Govt failed. They didn't give the order for all businesses to close at 7pm. This is about a greedy company and a irresponsible and failing Govt. / DDM
  • Angry at riteway (17/08/2024, 13:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Riteway bosses are a bunch of wicked bastards who don’t care about people, all they cares about is money, no matter how much they make they never satisfied.
    I blame the government for this because they make sure every businesses close including riteway.
    Riteway don’t pay the staff properly to be treating them like that.
    Bunch of wicked bitc#es
  • Cgal (17/08/2024, 14:17) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Isn't this the same company who want to search.employee bags....then they had the guts to cause them to be stuck in the store during a storm.
    How I wish we could boycott RTW.
  • @ WARNING - STOP TRYING TO OUTSMART GOD!!!!!!!! (17/08/2024, 14:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Satan imps disliking your comment.
  • BVI OVERLOAD (17/08/2024, 15:05) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    And some itch when Bishop John Cline say we put money in front everything. Bitch now regardless of how you feel about him.
  • guy hill (17/08/2024, 15:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    In my Memoires of growing up Road Town and Living in Main Street, I mentioned Road Town Wholesales' humble beginnings. I was living right across the street. I have seen that company grew all my life. The owner as he once told me, did not started out rich and the store used to close on Sundays. To read this today 60 + years after opening it doors is despicable on
    managements part to refer to making money and disregarding the lives of employees and their families. Past sickening.
  • upset (17/08/2024, 15:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Riteway bosses don’t care about people and they don’t pay their staff’s good for them to be going through such treatment.
    Also I blame the government for allowing riteway to do what they like
    Time to get serious with riteway
  • ITS NOT THERE ALONE (17/08/2024, 16:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ STEALTH ) THE GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL HAD THE SAME THING TOO / HOW COME YOU ( THE WIGGED ONE ) AIN'T HOLLERING OUT ON THAT ❓️???? , BUT YOU QUICK TO THROW IN YOUR USUAL RACIAL NARRITIVES / IF BOTH SENERIOS HAPPENED , ITS WRONG / SO DON'T GET ME WRONG , / SAY ONE - SAY TWO . ( NOW LEH WE HEAR YOU HOLLER OUT " FREE THE DREW " ~ OR " BLACK LIVES MATTER "
  • tola (17/08/2024, 16:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This government ain't ready at all set of waste all of them. I know if fahie was around nothing like this. But these young ass ain't know what they doing clueless
  • Unnecessary (17/08/2024, 16:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    news article. Media is creating a story about a weather problem.
  • BS (17/08/2024, 17:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I spoke to one of the guys stacking shelves at 6pm and he said he was going to stay in the store and sleep upstairs… I think the question to ask is if they were given the choice to stay or leave and if they were paid for their time.
    There was at least one bar in Long Bush that kept its bar staff overnight as well as they had customers stay and drink.
  • Very Disturbing (17/08/2024, 17:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    RTW is not the only business guilty of this. Even most offices keep you at the last minute. Leave it to some of them, if you work through the storm they would like that. For some busineses, you have to ask to leave and with a heavy heart they MAY say yes.

    No one under no circumstances should be trapped at work during a storm. I understand these essential places must be opened to serve the public, however, these same staff that serve us need to attend to themselves as well.

    If we hear a storm coming, what about 2 to 3 days, prior to the storm open later hours, giving persons time enough to shop.....dont even know if that would help because there are always the ones who enjoy strolling in last minute still....
    What I am trying to say is work out a way that your staff can prepare prior to the storm.
    Some people just mean......they rather work to the bone, than to know you home with a few free hours.

    For us the Community, we need to be more responsible and vigilant. We hear a storm approaching and we relax until the wind begin to blow. Some of us after the storm we say "I did not know it was that serious". Come on, we getting constant updates.
    What is so hard and wrong to purchase couple non- perishable items prior to? We too are being selfish when we waltz in stores last minute to shop, not considering the people serving us has to go home as well.
    If the store has to close in our faces, we will then fuss and say bad things about the businesses.
    Keep it real and be considerate. If we all play our part well, things will run smoothly.

    Whoever in Government is responsible for lock down, curfew & fines should look into this seriously. It's better to be safe than sorry. The day of the storm, according to the time it is predicted to hit us, why not force businesses to close at a reasonable time?
    Did Irma & Ernesto not teach us anything?
    Are we waiting for some grand signal???
    When will we wake up?
  • boycott (17/08/2024, 17:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Any company who put money first and staff safety last
    How they ate ?
    No bath ?
    Couldn't protect their family or home
    Sue them MC
  • lol lol (17/08/2024, 19:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Most of RTW workers will do anything to keep their jobs. They want to, because if they leave then the big boys will have to do the job. Which they are scared to do. That is what we allowed to happen. (Black)
  • Tragic (17/08/2024, 20:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Labour needs to Investigate! 30+ employees??? Craziness! Money can not be all. The same money they made is what yall need to sue them for. More than enough employees to bring a lawsuit or several at that.
  • Future (17/08/2024, 21:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are calling for the Labour Department to step in. An investigation must be done and the public notified. If BVIlanders do not stop accepting foolishness we will continue to get foolishness. Riteway has many connections to government officials. There can be conflicts there. How many of those 30 employees were expats on work permits? In addition, some may have felt threatened they would lose their jobs.

    A perfect way to show Rite Way this is unacceptable is to boycott the store. One week should suffice. We can survive off other supermarkets. Where are the strong-willed BVIslanders? Are we too weak that we allow this to happen?

    We have only ourselves to blame if this is allowed to continue.
  • Wellsah (17/08/2024, 21:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Talk about wutless


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