The court confirms immediate withdrawal of employee found guilty of theft and destruction of luggage

WILLEMSTAD.-The court confirms the immediate withdrawal of an employee of the company providing services at the airport to unload luggage from the plane and place them on the “conveyor belt” for passenger retrieval. The employee was dismissed by the company Antillean Flight Service N.V. (AFS), which granted him an immediate withdrawal. There was an intermediate court decision that allowed the company to present evidence against its employees. This employee was found guilty of committing theft and also the destruction of luggage at the airport and/or being an accomplice to these acts. To confirm the accusation and the withdrawal request, AFS had to initiate legal proceedings against CAP (Curaçao Airport Partners) to obtain images from the baggage area. However, despite AFS obtaining the images and presenting them to the court, it was deemed necessary for AFS to further explain the video footage. This was to be done before the case was heard on November 2, 2023. This does not negate the fact that in the video footage obtained by the court, the accused can be seen working with a reflective vest on his head. He is working with four other colleagues. He is also seen handling the luggage. It can be observed that he is standing while a colleague opens several suitcases and was ready to receive them. The court cannot guarantee that this colleague would have taken anything from the suitcases. The opening of suitcases and their preparation continues, where the man and other colleagues are present observing what is happening. Based on this, the employer speaks of having lost confidence in this employee for the employment relationship. Based on the available video footage, it can be considered that the employee is an accomplice to attempted theft. It cannot be deduced that he was standing watching to alert his colleagues if anyone else approached. The court considers that what the man did is complicity in the theft and destruction of luggage. Therefore, AFS’s request to immediately withdraw the man stands. Additionally, the man will have to pay the expenses of the process, totaling 3125 Antillean guilders.