The failure of government departments to give the go-ahead for a company to import pepper spray or mace to protect its employees against criminal attacks has resulted in the Government being sued.

Future Services International Ltd, in St Catherine, filed a suit in the Supreme Court in July this year, contending that it wanted the pepper spray to protect its employees against violent crimes which had been affecting them.

The matter has been set for case management today in the Supreme Court.

The attorney general, who is the respondent, has filed acknowledgement of the suit but so far has not filed a defence.

Advised to buy mace

Yaneek Page, managing director of the company, said in court documents that, in December 2008 following a series of violent events affecting employees of the company, including the murder of a security officer by gunmen, the company hosted a personal security and self-defence workshop in Kingston.

She said a police officer who made a presentation at the workshop recommended that those who attended should purchase pepper spray for use as a legal self-defence tool. Page said since that time the employees advised her that they tried to purchase pepper spray but it was not available in Jamaica.

Controlled substance

The company, which is being represented by attorney-at-law Nicole Foster-Pusey, said it contacted a customs broker for information concerning the required documentation for the importation of pepper spray.

Page said the company was advised by the customs broker that the Ministry of National Security was of the view that pepper spray was a "controlled" product and the Customs Department would not allow the importation without approval from the ministry.

Page said letters were sent to the ministry, the Customs Department and the Attorney General's Department but so far the company has not received any response on the issue.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com