Arising from an earlier blog Down By The Riverside fellow blogger from the Living In Barbados Blog expressed the view that private enterprise must be allowed to manage to stay afloat and make money for shareholders (parsing). We have no problem with that position, the flip side however is that BU has the freedom to critique the genuineness of decisions taken as we perceive them. As a corporate citizen the public’s perception should be of value to the Nation Group of Companies.
We are aware that three hundred daily newspapers have gone out of business in the last 25 years in the United States. We are aware that the main reason from the drop in circulation has been because the younger readers have been tapping into Internet based sources like blogs, free online news sources etc.
Unfortunately we have to take the word of the OCM Group Chairman Sir Fred Gollop about the reason for sending home Adonijah and 20+ other media workers from the Nation Group of Companies last week. He mentioned about increase cost in newsprint blah blah blah. We have access to the OCM consolidated financial statement for 2008, what we don’t know is how the Barbados companies performed vis-a-vis others in the OCM Group. We have to guess.
Livinginbarbados we read your email sent today (23/03/2009), coincidentally we had several similar websites open in the BU browser. What is obvious is that newspapers in the USA are failing because of competing news channels first and for other reasons a distant second. In Barbados there is no similar competing interest. Although the blogs have been aggressively taking up issues which mainstream media have been dragging feet, sad to say we are not yet mass-based in appeal.
It is interesting to note that when OCM was formed it was touted then that the Nation Group of companies would benefit from economies of scale. It is obvious to BU that the sending home of Nation staff immediately after declaring a profitable 2008 was insensitive and premeditated. What is tells us most of all is that Port of Spain is in control. How could Harold Hoyte sit on the Board of OCM and vote to send home Adonijah?
Back to the point of this blog. Even if we concede that the cost of newsprint is on the rise, how does it explain sending home staff from VOB the radio station? Remember that according to the Systematic Survey (whatever that is) VOB and the Nation newspaper dominate the market. Couldn’t management provide options to staff i.e. staff freezes, salary cuts, waive bonus payments to executive staff etc?
The characteristics of the US media are far different to what prevails in Barbados. Barbadians and West Indians generally continue to rely on newspapers as the go to news source. The majority of the advertising dollars continue to be given to the printed media. Up to now we have not seen any major change in the approach of the Nation Group of companies to show that it is willing to transform to a more interactive media form. In other words it is prepared to cut payroll to respond to the challenges ahead. We applaud their ingenuity.
Isn’t it strange that the Nation Group has decided to cut relatively low level staff? We could think of several fat cats who continue to work at the Nation Group. Commonsense tells us that as the economic situation worsens we may yet see some more cuts at a company which not too long ago was proudly Bajan.
We feel some affinity to Adonijah. Do you know that Adonijah was the fourth son of King DAVID?
82 responses so far ↓
Carson C. Cadogan // March 24, 2009 at 12:45 AM
DAVID
I can’t believe that you are feeling sorry for Nation Staffers?
These are the same people who kept Barbadians in the DARK for 14 years of Barbados Labour Party rule with all it’s nastiness.
They got what they deserve.
I would like to see the entire Nation Newspaper shut down it is nothing but a waste of paper and ink.
The Scout // March 24, 2009 at 2:42 AM
In keeping with the slogan ” Barbados jobs for barbadians first”, it means that the T&T clown Peres has also been sent walking. If I’m wrong, please tell me what bajans can do to highlight this injustice. I’m not a great lover of that scandal sheet newspaper anyhow.
Anonymous // March 24, 2009 at 3:39 AM
@David
“What is obvious is that newspapers in the USA are failing because of competing news channels first and for other reasons a distant second. In Barbados there is no similar competing interest. Although the blogs have been aggressively taking up issues which mainstream media have been dragging feet, sad to say we are not yet mass-based in appeal.”
If you live in the Internet age, you cannot say that “Barbados there is no similar competing interest”. I rarely watch television IN Barbados, yet I follow televised news very closely FROM Barbados: many US news channels are available online for free (eg Bloomberg, MSNBC, CNN, etc.). Others I know get streaming radio and TV from various Caribbean locations. Even in Barbados, we can stream VOB and CBC. We know we can get access to newspapers online. So, your argument really does not work.
The Bajan papers are just dipping their toes into that online water, and gingerly. So, if they are several years behind the curve, as seems evident, how can they be defended as having done well. By contrast, online offerings from Trinidad seem further advanced.
livinginbarbados // March 24, 2009 at 3:48 AM
@David (Internet connection problem, erased my name). RESUBMITTING
“What is obvious is that newspapers in the USA are failing because of competing news channels first and for other reasons a distant second. In Barbados there is no similar competing interest. Although the blogs have been aggressively taking up issues which mainstream media have been dragging feet, sad to say we are not yet mass-based in appeal.”
If you live in the Internet age, you cannot say that “Barbados there is no similar competing interest”. I rarely watch television IN Barbados, yet I follow televised news very closely FROM Barbados: many US news channels are available online for free (eg Bloomberg, MSNBC, CNN, etc.). Others I know get streaming radio and TV from various Caribbean locations. Even in Barbados, we can stream VOB and CBC. We know we can get access to newspapers online. So, your argument really does not work.
The Bajan papers are just dipping their toes into that online water, and gingerly. So, if they are several years behind the curve, as seems evident, how can they be defended as having done well. By contrast, online offerings from Trinidad seem further advanced.
David // March 24, 2009 at 5:16 AM
@livinginbarbados
Understand our point. The online channel is available although not as developed as N.America but Barbadians still rely in the main on the traditional news sources. Will it change? Most likely it will but at this point to compare the behaviour of Barbadians to N.Americans is premature. There the argument to use the same factors affecting N.American print with Barbados is not accurate.
JC // March 24, 2009 at 6:29 AM
Scout I will ask your question again so someone can verify if BC Pires has been fired ….. wellll has he?
Ian Bourne // March 24, 2009 at 7:30 AM
BC’s column was in Monday’s edition – columnists get anywhere from $50 to $100 per week, no great shakes huh? Speak from experience… I doubt he’ll see or sniff a guillotine.
The whopping bonuses paid to Mgr’s could be reduced, OCM dividends could be “transferred” from cash to more shares so as to retain liquidity. These are a few measures which could have been considered…
EG: When Ralph Gonsalves 1st assumed office in SVG, he took a 10% reduction in wages and asked his colleagues how much a cut will they take or does he have to legislate? To a person, they agreed on 5%, should’ve been 7 but they conceded…
You should check Mar’s Mongoose Blog for a heavily sarcastic rant over the new format of the online edition of the Nation.
Anon // March 24, 2009 at 7:39 AM
Leave BC Pires for now. I cant believe he gets paid for the garbage in his columns.
Pires has come around after the bewsing we put in he Trinidadian ass. Last time I read him he wrote he has to be careful or we would deport him. He was right about that and for the first time he was funny.
We have taught him a lesson now lets extend to him the famous Bajan hospitality.
BUMBLEBEE // March 24, 2009 at 7:53 AM
RESUBMITTING ~
BUMBLEBEE // March 22, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Good thing The Nation is not a “white owned Company” or else these pages would be on fire and all readers’ computers would explode….
livinginbarbados // March 24, 2009 at 9:22 AM
@David
I will contest your argument and put the thing another way. Because overall things (in communications) are less developed in Bim compared to North America the changes for Barbados are more significant, and more leapfrogging is possible rather than step-wise. (Compare the way people go to owning more than one mobile phone even without having a landline.)
My gut feeling is that the papers and local media houses are hurting more than they let on. I know that I am no common example, but I have never listened to or watched CBC on radio or TV, because I always follow online here and abroad. I know many people here now do likewise in the work place, as that is more discreet (with headphones).
No need to beat this to death.
Anonymous // March 24, 2009 at 9:29 AM
The thing to remember about financial statements is that they are reflective of what happened LAST YEAR.
It would be very unusual if the media were not affected by the recession, advertising budgets are one of the first things to get cut in times of scarcity, and this would have had a direct impact on the Nation’s revenue stream.
Further Ado would have been a journalist of some seniority (I believe he was actually an editor) so he would not have been a “low level” person as made out by some people here.
No business likes to lay people off, layoffs have knock on effects on morale, operations, and even tend to raise a red flag with suppliers and creditors. It usually is a last resort of cost cutting.
Inkwell // March 24, 2009 at 9:50 AM
When OCM went public in December 2006, shares were offered at $6.35 and there was a lot of hype as to the future prospects of the group, what with economies of scale etc. I believe all the shares were taken up.
Two years later, OCM shares on the local stock market have lost nearly HALF their value. The last trade (February 25th 2009) was at $3.25. What the hell is going on!!! Was the public deceived with the initial valuation of the group which put par value at $6.35?
The directors need to give shareholders some explanation. A near 50% fall in the value of shareholders’ investment in this group in just over two years is unacceptable. I can’t wait for the next annual general meeting.
John // March 24, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Who are the directors?
David // March 24, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Wow are we to accept that OCM could not have opted to try more creative measures to keep people employed. We are talking about a profitable entity up to 2008.
We understand veterans Ebony Tull, Patrick Ward and the whole sports desk is now history. As a news organisation where is the commitment to sports?
Inkwell // March 24, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Directors of OCM
http://www.onecaribbeanmedia.net/index.pl/hdir
Inkwell // March 24, 2009 at 1:18 PM
It may be of interest to note that CLICO owns 23% of the shares of OCM.
Noted // March 24, 2009 at 5:37 PM
I am amazed at what SNI did. They let go of great people. Some of the dismissals were business and some personal. No one has yet said that they had armed security guards escorting people off the property.
BAFBFP // March 24, 2009 at 5:53 PM
http://www.onecaribbeanmedia.net/index.pl/hdir
No one knows how to tow the line better than female academics of the social science persuasion. They are inhuman, callous and blinkered, focussed only on academic excuses to serve a master of some sort, even if it is at the expense of co-workers. They are wearing pants now and many are sporting beards and receding-hairlines. They have even taken to using masculine names like Grenville and Michael and Terrence and Fred.
Come fah yah Worl’
Sir Bentwood Dick // March 24, 2009 at 7:29 PM
No surprise. Profits before people, another foreign owned entity without a care for the social fabric of Barbados.
Wha’ yuh expeck?
Time to do like Obama in USA and, focus on BAJAN furse!
Why wunna doan stop buying dem people paper an’ save wunna money.
Time for anudder BAJAN paper to start up…
How Bout, ‘Barbados Chronicle’.
Motto:
”Real news for Barbadians”
Come on wunna wid de bucks!
GEAR BOX // March 24, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Addo .. you need help writin’ a cayasoe dis year …?
AAAAAAAAAAAghhhhhhhhhhhhh
Bonny Peppa. // March 24, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Gear Box
Ado cud name he caysoe, “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Wah u tink?
GEAR BOX // March 24, 2009 at 11:11 PM
AAAAAAAAAAAAAghhhhhhhhhhh
JC // March 25, 2009 at 6:08 AM
I know I am a crass woman (nothing like a woman scorned) but I agree with BAFBFP women normally kiss ass!
Well ………. at least most women.
Bajan // March 25, 2009 at 7:36 AM
With Starcom high advertising rates it is pricing itself out of business. The current ecomonic situation will bring Vic to his knees. He is a victim of his own greed.
Ian Bourne // March 25, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Anyone heard Brass Tacks? Seems Scharon (with a C) “Afternoon Delight” Millington was another casualty, guy from Canada called in asking what happened to her – Ellis was to the point yet vague.
” … they parted company…” but not how or why
JC // March 25, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Bourne Ms. P telling off David Ellis……
Wuh? // March 25, 2009 at 2:19 PM
It may be of interest to note that CLICO owns 23% of the shares of OCM.
____
But who owns those shares now? the government of T&T!
Tell me Why // March 25, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Another journalist passes on.
Denzil Agard, a former Managing Editor of the Advocate died last night. Denzil was one of those fearless editors who dealt with issues regardless of political powers. It is becoming uneasy with the amount of journalists that are died. Maybe, we can start calling them endangered species. May he rest in peace.
Tell me Why // March 25, 2009 at 2:26 PM
It is becoming uneasy with the amount of journalists that have died
David // March 25, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Seems the word is getting out about Scharon. We wonder how is this happening : – )
We heard Ellis squirming under the cross examination today from callers. No longer can companies perform their private acts and not be held accountable. Even now the company is refusing to manage the situation professionally. If our sources are correct Scharon maybe telling it all from another place which may cause some to pine.
Georgie Porgie // March 25, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Is that last sentence meant to be a pun David? Like it!
Anonymous // March 25, 2009 at 3:56 PM
By the way, nuh body ain’t talkin bout de 10 percent cut in salaries by Cave Shepherd’s mid and top management. I ain’t kno’ if um was cut by management or de staff mek de decision.. Wuh loss bosey leh muh know wuh hapning.
David u kno ’bout dat?
Anonymous // March 25, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Only a BLP yardie would call denzil agard a journalist ‘who dealt with issues regardless of political parties’.
Denzil agard was a nasty slimy man blp operative who carried the water for the blp and used his pen in a nasty vindictive way against any one he thought was anti-blp or who the blp wanted him to take down.
David ellis in a not so subtle way today said that agard and jeanette layne clarke used their pen like a cudgel against some so much that they caused fear.
BAFBFP // March 25, 2009 at 6:20 PM
David Ellis would not respond to the suggestion that directors of Caribbean companies could easily persuade share holders to hold strain on their demands while they pursue a course to maintain jobs within the operation “at this time”. He skirted the fact that it was an option that could have been pursued by OCM instead of rushing to cut jobs. Free and Fair expression of views my ass.
Georgie
We need some pine to claen up teh river…
JC
Yah still crass, so now you admit it..! Crass…!
Ian Bourne // March 25, 2009 at 7:16 PM
I had to laugh when I heard a BT promo demanding accountability & transparency after Hurricane Helen rope-a-doping Ellis and him dodging more than the proverbial Artful…
JC // March 25, 2009 at 7:37 PM
CHEE THANKS!
Carson C. Cadogan // March 26, 2009 at 12:02 AM
RJR cuts staff
Just over 30 employees of the Radio Jamaica Group (RJR) were sent home today as the fallout from the global economic turmoil continues to hit local firms.
After reporting worrying numbers through the first three quarters of the financial year RJR had warned of the possibility of cutting staff as part of efforts to reduce expense.
Among the persons sent home are veteran journalists, Kathy Barrett, who was the Deputy Group Head of News and Current Affairs; Projects Manager for Television Jamaica Limited, Michael Sharpe; and Simon Crosskill, the Group Head of Sports.
At least three other managers were among those sent home.
Source:=
jamaica-gleaner
Peter Boyce // March 26, 2009 at 7:16 AM
I as very sad to hear of Adonijah being sent off, not only has the Nation dismissed an iconic journalist but the entertainment industry has lost a valuable friend…
He should use his following and talent to start writing his own blog
BAFBFP // March 26, 2009 at 7:36 AM
VOB’s response since this thing in Wall Street broke was NOT to drop advertising rates. Instead they used the dead time to advertise themselves more.
What a bunch of pussies.
David // March 26, 2009 at 8:09 AM
It is the capitalist approach and to be fair it is not practiced by Nation Group only. Protect shareholder value at all cost! It is the model which has the world where it is now.
BAFBFP // March 26, 2009 at 9:32 AM
@ David
Hocus pocus
The “Capitalist Approach” includes a sense of corporate responsibility and a sense that to oppose serious public concern and stated Government policy may result in a public relations night mare for the company. Share holders in companies “all over the world” are people too; the overwhelming majority of whom in any event are combined as a minority class of share holdings and benefit very little from companies sticking rigidly to this bottom line policy. They would benefit more from people continuing to support the company as opposed to them being pissed off by the company’s image and turning to the competition.
In any event, the “Capitalist Approach” in the Caribbean has divorced itself in many areas to that found in the rest of the world. Had that not been so our Banks would have taken on the same kind of risk as those in the US for example.
Are you sure that your last name is not Ellis? Yah soun’ jus’ like he…!
BAFBFP // March 26, 2009 at 12:07 PM
The thing about this “Capitalist Approach” argument as it applies to our following the rest of the world is that the markets in the Caribbean are too small to promote the development of serious industrialisation. These “businesses” are simply privately owned social services that contribute very little to industrial development. Why the f**k should their interests be so vigorously protected. Shit they only represent a net loss in foreign exchange reserves anyway.
Anonymous // March 26, 2009 at 1:57 PM
BAFBFP
Are you saying that David/BU is David Ellis?
Wuh?
David // March 26, 2009 at 7:21 PM
The nation a Pan-Caribbean company sent home 20+ people. LIME a Pan-Caribbean company sent home people. Today we heard that Sagicor another company which is Pan-Caribbean and wider sent home 40+ people. What is clear is livinginbarbados is proving to be correct. The bottomline reigns supreame.
Here is an article which appeared in the Jamaican Observer today.
Anonymous // March 26, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Damn blood suckers these private sector companies.
Have no social conscience these people.
All they can do ,some of them that is – is take,take take.
People like Bizzy,Parravicino and others locally owned company understand the need to keep people working,but companies like lime and one caribbean and four seasons – even sagicor – they snatch all the concessions they get from government and then shed jobs.
By the way david/BU – any connection to david ellis?
Let me Jump in hey // March 26, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Hope you guys like this one!
This is priceless, and pertinent!
Corporate Plan.
Dear Employees,
Due to the current financial situation caused by the slowdown in the
economy, Management has decided to implement a scheme
to put workers of 40 years of age and above on early retirement. This
scheme will be known as RAPE (Retire Aged People Early).
Persons selected to be RAPED can apply to management
to be considered for the SHAFT scheme (Special Help After Forced
Termination). Persons who have been RAPED and SHAFTED will be
reviewed under the SCREW programme (Scheme Covering Retired-Early Workers).
A person may be RAPED once, SHAFTED twice and SCREWED as many times
as Management deems appropriate. Persons who have been RAPED could get
AIDS (Additional Income for Dependants & Spouse) or
HERPES (Half Earnings for Retired Personnel Early Severance).
Obviously persons who have AIDS or HERPES will not be SHAFTED or
SCREWED any further by Management.
Persons who are not RAPED and are staying on will receive as much SHIT
(Special High Intensity Training) as possible. Management has always
prided itself on the amount of SHIT it gives employees. Should you feel
that you do not receive enough SHIT, please bring this to the attention of
your Supervisor, who has been trained to give you all the SHIT you can
handle.
Sincerely,
The Management
Facts // March 26, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Anonymous,
I believe that we shoud give due respect to the dead, but I can’t help but agree with you, re’ Agard. He was a political operative who was certainly far from being this “fearless journalist” that someone earlier tried to make out.
BAFBFP // March 26, 2009 at 10:52 PM
@ Anonymous
David Ellis most certainly would have the time on his hands to manage a blog. In fact it was Ellis who was the first to mention the fact that there was such a thing as blogs in Barbados. The problem is that managing a blog requires technical hands on skill. The Ellis that I know is just a “mouter”. Straight up.
David BU is White anyway, though he may claim otherwise…!
Bajan // March 27, 2009 at 5:39 AM
Public Service Announcements my arse.
Big Vic is killing that company with his greed. Now they keeping a cruise , are they celebrating the departure of members of staff. How is that for bad timing ?
M // March 27, 2009 at 7:54 AM
Bajan // March 27, 2009 at 5:39 am
Now they keeping a cruise , are they celebrating the departure of members of staff. How is that for bad timing ?
————————————————–
Sagicor had their Awards ceremony last Saturday nite and made people redundant on Thursday
sylvan // March 27, 2009 at 7:54 AM
anybody ever check vic fernandes qualifications? did he leave presentation college wif o levels? check it out. a lot of empty head jackasses running the media in barbados. they ignorant as hell but feel they know everything. why people surprised then at the crap the media puts out?
livinginbarbados // March 27, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Dennis Clarke’s comments (see Advocate March 27) on the social partnership and that NUPW may withdraw are very significant. One has to ask what has the partnership really done? I do not know the answer, but it it has merely papered over cracks, then the recession is likely to see the whole tapestry come apart. If it really was a partnership of so-called equals, then we should see it stand a very tough economic test. In other words, it’s easy to do well when things are good but how do you fare when the going gets tough?
David // March 27, 2009 at 11:21 AM
@livinginbarbados
It was tough in the early 90s when the social partnership was born. Perhaps you mean tougher times?
Asiba-The Buffalo Soldier-'why should I wear a jacket and tie' // March 28, 2009 at 7:14 AM
I wish the best to a man I consider a friend, mentor, teacher, calypso tent-mate— a kind gentleman.
As a culturalist and Rastafari, I know that ADO from the Nijah family knows that when one door is closed , another is opened.
Live up!
Jah Bless !
Adrian Hinds // March 29, 2009 at 1:51 AM
What was Ado’s job at the nationnews again? Did Amanda double surname keep hers?
JC // March 29, 2009 at 9:14 AM
Waht about BC Pires (I hope I spell his name right does he still have his job.
Facts - Vic's qualifications // March 29, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Sylvan,
Big Vic’s qualifications are his effective diction and his ability to speak
Anonymous // March 30, 2009 at 1:27 PM
So I see that BC Pires still has his job but Ado is sent packing welll welllwell!
Poor Boyce // March 31, 2009 at 3:29 PM
I notice that the NUPW support constituency councils. Bravo once de unions in your corner ya gone clear. Dat means Dennis,Trottie, Bobby, Frost Walter and karen are all for one or one for all. LOL.
Workers watch out.
If you have no knowledge..keep it short silly // March 31, 2009 at 8:23 PM
To Ian Bourne, what do you know abut OCM bonuses and to whom they are paid. FYI since the advent of OCM all staff in Bim get very handsome bonuses; at least at Starcom. The Nation is another story ’cause they have always been overpaid in every which way…imagine people at all levels low to high getting $10000 and up in bonuses each. Scandal!
Ian Bourne // April 1, 2009 at 12:17 AM
I am not purporting to be an expert on OCM profits, merely offered a suggestion. Alternatives could have been sought before staff severred, the move appears to many as a thinly-disguised witch-hunt for non-arse kissers!
BTW: Um, This IS a democracy where differing ideas can be aired? Or is it a Bajan version of Rush Limbaugh and Michael Steele’s forum?
BAFBFP // April 1, 2009 at 7:23 AM
A chicken breast at Kentucky Fried Chicken is now priced at Bds 5.80. Could you imagine paying six dollars for one piece of chicken? KFC may soon be sending home staff as well becausin’ I DWD (dun wid dat)
Anonymous // April 1, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Facts – Vic’s qualifications // March 29, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Sylvan,
Big Vic’s qualifications are his effective diction and his ability to speak
—
Crap! Red tail Fernandes surgically glue his lips to the ass of white & almost white money brokers.
Some qualification.
His office festooned with photos of white & almost white women. Aubrey Choy his MsWorld/Ms Universe franchise padnah like he back in Guyana.
Negroman // April 1, 2009 at 2:16 PM
I have mentioned earlier I have stopped listening to VOB and I have now taken my DirecTv service.I am in the process of not buying the daily Nation newspaper..
I visited VOB and it seems that even the guard and receptionist are non-nationals.
Is Vema Ali stil an employee of VOB?
I am in sympathy with my Barbadian workers who lost their jobs at the Nation & VOB.I am doing my little piece to protest against that development.
How many of you bloggers will boycott VOB,Nation Newspaper & DrecTv and all the other OCM networks?
Anonymous // April 1, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Negroman
You have my support.
You could tell that VOB feeling the exodus of listeners and advertisers from their station.
They are now running nough ads from people in grenada and jamaica, all over the place telling you how good it is to advertise on radio.
Hee,hee,haa,haa.
Wuhloss.
Johnny My Boy // April 1, 2009 at 8:55 PM
At this critical time, when foreign owned companies are firing staff left, right and centre, it is critical that the Government put a moratorium on granting of ANY work permit issuance or renewals.
Locally we have impeccably qualified persons and jobs should go to locals first, at a time when things are so difficult for survival.
If the Government is not willing to do this, then serious animosity and social strife can and will result.
Why are notifications still in the newspapers stating that no suitably qualified locals answered for positions?
No work permits should be issued for the next year or two, until the situation is stabilised, period.
Johnny My Boy // April 1, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Transparency, if you want transparency on the job situation, then Government should publish in the daily paper, every month, a list of work permits granted, together with an explanation for the granting of these permits.
Will the Government dare???
Anonymous // April 2, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Johnny ma boy
Since when were you so concerned about transparency? Since January 15th last year?
sick of this s@$t // April 2, 2009 at 3:56 PM
How come no one talked about the armed security that escorted people out of starcom. That was sick. is this what we’ve come to…people that the staffers worked with for 30+ years escorted off the premises. where is the government in all this
David // April 2, 2009 at 8:27 PM
While it is a bitter pill to swallow to see long serving employees escorted of the premises in the way Ebony Tull, Ward et might have been it is a standard HR procedure nowadays.
David // April 2, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Submitted on 2009/04/02 at 3:56pm
How come no one talked about the armed security that escorted people out of starcom. That was sick. is this what we’ve come to…people that the staffers worked with for 30+ years escorted off the premises.
While it is a bitter pill to swallow to see long serving employees escorted of the premises in the way Ebony Tull, Ward et might have been it is a standard HR procedure nowadays.
JC // April 2, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Negro man I dont buy papers anymore either them aint gettin my money ….
adonijah // April 4, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Thanks for the empathy and advice. Give thanks, Asiba. Carson C. Cadogan, please understand who makes policy. “Staffers” all over the world are in disagreement with policies their managements make and practise. JAH LIVETH AND REIGNETH FOR IVER IN EARTH, ZION AND THE HEART OF MAN
David // April 4, 2009 at 11:34 PM
@adonijah
Hope you are holding up?
You maybe feeling a sense of betrayal.
Maybe you have taken the blow on the cheek like a man and is moving on, we hope this is the case.
Your comments says alot but you know what they say when you work for an organization ‘its not YOURS.”
All the best and feel welcome to join the BU family, doan mind Carson, he cyant help :-)
Anonymous // April 5, 2009 at 3:13 PM
adonijah
Bless-up.
Nostradamus // April 5, 2009 at 3:35 PM
@David
“How come no one talked about the armed security that escorted people out of starcom.”
What armed security? Private? Police? I know we have armed private security but I have only seen it used when transporting money to and from banks etc.
BAFBFP // April 5, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Batons are armament too…!
David // May 2, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Read today that OCM profits are down 33% in the first quarter compared to previous year. It says that it has taken steps to respond, we all know the response Mr. Gollop – sending home people!
Question for you: How profitable are the Barbados operations compared to the others?
Corbimma // July 24, 2009 at 4:16 PM
@David@Ado.
The Nation stinks. The fact that Ado could devote his life to the Nation and be sent packing shows a complete lack of HR policy, indeed any policy. They now need a PR agaency and not Al Hart either. CMC could not give two shites about Bajans and most everybody wukking in Bados is a non national. David, I agree that GOD REST HIS SOUL, Denzil was no fearless journalist, he was an ordinary reporter. I have not come across a fearless journalist yet unless it is a blogger. Why? They are afraid of victimisation at work, in society. Bajans have to stop pandering and start boycotting fuh real.
I have had enough. Why they don’t send home Roxanne Gibbs and Vivian Anne Gittens. Is Roy Morris, the alleged rapist still on the payroll.
Who jah bless, no man curse, Ado will survive
David // July 24, 2009 at 5:15 PM
The firing of Ado given the quality of the pool at the Nation should have raised many questions. The fact that it has not is indictive of where we are.
"*Adviser to the President*" // July 24, 2009 at 5:49 PM
ACCORDING TO INFO REACHING THE ADVISER,
Shite is happening in other areas of work such as the Public Service; private sector companies owned by a certain conglomerate and a certain ‘used to be monopoly’
Bajans just take things though, so people will just take it in stride.
We are accustomed to a hard life
-no light -no water ), no indoor plumbing, chiggers, chinks, small houses, no money, no shoes on our feet, patchy clothes, old clothes, hand me downs, smut lamps, rocky roads, pot holes, mud in the roads, cart roads, 7th standard education, scrubbing with white wood, ham at xmas only e.t.c
So nothing can get we down, we are accustomed to it, Bajans will survive so bring on the shit, we can handle it.
Teshia // August 16, 2009 at 2:06 AM
RE ; donkey carts, marl roads, chiggers, chinks, smut lamps, etc.:
The writer has septh. Thank God that Barbadians can still express the real life that we anad our foreparents have endured. We have come a long way. To think that our people are being escorted off the primises! that is what happens in corporate America. Foreigners at VOB? IWILL HAVE TO STOP TRYING TO FIND THE STATION FROM HERE IN THE USA. I am praying for my country. Watch out for hurricane Bill.
Take care of yourselves.