Caribbean Congress Of Labour New Year Message

Submitted by Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary – Caribbean Congress of Labour

As we close the year 2009 and embrace the New Year it is time not only for celebration of the symbolism of the season but also using the experiences we have acquired over the year in developing our resolve to meet the challenges envisage in 2010.

As Caribbean workers we have been able to keep Labour’s focus within the regional socio-economic and political framework as an integral measure of Caribbean development with the recognition that through the
CSME Movement of Skill and Semi-Skill labour the Caribbean can be served by Caribbean nationals. The free movement of skills however impacted on some more than others and when coupled with the flight of illegal immigrants there is a potential risk affecting the countries at the migrant end as well as the immigrant end. This latter case of illegal movement of workers and its impact must be addressed not only within the framework of the CSME but with careful review of the condition of workers and  citizens in sister CARICOM countries who are not merely pulled to countries with higher standard of living and higher economies but are instead pushed by fear of being victims of political or narco-terrorism; the desire to expand the narco trade; marginalization; poverty; hopelessness; social, economic , cultural and political decay; the denial and violation of basic human rights and no justice.

What Breathalyzer What!?!

Breath test: In this file photo of December 15, Roland Thomas volunteers for a breathalyser test as part of a training exercise for officers of the Police Traffic branch - T&T Newsday

It seems our leaders have surrendered to the many global agendas which abound. BU followed with interest Pastor Victor Roach voicing his satisfaction in the media at the soon to be introduced breathalyzer legislation in Barbados.

It is generally known the leading cause of vehicular accidents in Barbados is linked to all manner of reasons BUT we have not seen any hard numbers which place driving under the influence close to the top of the pile.

Why has the Government Information Service not rolled out a comprehensive educational program about how to correctly use our roads, especially the ABC Highway? Why have we not heard a clamour to rollout the demerit points system which has been in abeyance for over a decade now? Why not install cameras at our most busy and dangerous junctions to capture motorists who make late wuns? Why have we not seen traffic cops empowered to ticket for multiple traffic offences on the spot? Why have we not improved our traffic court process to make a driver with 50+ offences a thing of the past.  Why do we turn a blind eye to the buddy system practiced in and around the courts which influences the number of CRDs issued?

A story was told to BU recently about a former senior policeman who years ago felt that to introduce the breathalyser in Barbados would have a negative impact on tourism. We need to see the hard numbers which support the logic of rolling out the breathalyzer over other systems which based on the current data is likely to save more lifes.

Diseases Of The Prostate Gland: Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Or Hyperplasia

Submitted by Dr. Georgie Porgie

Click On Image To View Presentation (PDF Format)

Whax Palax Bruggadown Brax

Publisher of the Nation newspaper Viviananne Gittens

The theatrical production of two St. Leonards Boys recorded on video being flogged by a teacher was confirmed to be a prank by the Nation newspaper today. The video first appeared on Facebook and was subsequently downloaded and posted by an over zealous and exuberant blogger. BU first heard about the video when Anthony ‘Admiral’ Nelson discussed it on his morning show early last week, this would have been before the video was published by the blogger. Given the damage to the reputation of young children, a school teacher and a school which has always gotten a raw deal in Barbados, BU took a decision not to publish the video until we could confirm its authenticity.

The difference between the blogs and traditional media we are told is the extra-mile which is traveled by them to verify stories and be responsible in reporting. The Nation newspaper in its article today which condemned the video as a prank took the opportunity to name blogs and websites which would have published the video. It was obviously a deliberate action by the editors of the Nation to smear the non-traditional media because of their injudicious action.

The Nation is entitled to punch back because it is usually at the receiving end from us.

Barrack’s Millions

Submitted by Amit, Pull!Push! blog

Sir, as a concerned Barbadian citizen and tax payer, I hope that you will permit me enough space in your publication to discuss Al Barrack and the $60 million owed to him by our Government.

I recall hearing about Al Barrack and the monies owed to him in the media a few years ago, as well as in recent times. According to a an online article on the Nation newspapers’ website, Prime Minister David Thompson said: “He will definitely be paid” and “There has never been an occasion when the Government of Barbados has had an obligation that it has not eventually paid.” Rather than wade into the muddy waters surrounding the issue, or debating it from a political position, I seek instead to achieve two objectives with my letter.

The first is to attempt to put the debt owed to him into perspective by looking at what I could purchase for $60 million. The second is to determine my indirect share of the $60 million debt. Since it is owed by our Government and since governments typically uses taxation to generate revenue, it means that indirectly, I’ll be paying off a part of this debt.

The Caricom Immigration Mess

Chairman of Caricom and President of Guyana Bharat Jagdeo

Barbados has received a lot of licks from many quarters on the immigration issue. Come January 1, 2010 the much discussed amnesty will expire and illegal immigrants residing in Barbados before January 1, 1998 who have not processed an application will be deported. A recent poll by CADRES indicated Barbadians across the political spectrum were supportive of government’s new immigration policy. The Auditor General of Barbados confirmed the fears of many Barbadians that the system of managing people flows in and out of Barbados is inefficient.

One of the disappointments since the Barbados government rolled out its Green Paper on immigration has been the lack of serious feedback by stakeholders in civil society and ordinary Barbadians. It was embarrassing to listen to a callin program on Voice of Barbados yesterday (27 December 2009) when leading voices in Barbados asked if they had read the Green Paper on immigration admitted they had not.

Immigration matters continue to occupy many countries around the world especially those countries labelled as magnet countries. In all the emotion which has been attached to the issue of Barbados immigration, many of the players in the debate admit a managed immigration policy is a must; BU’s position all along.

Increasing Terrorist Activity May Have Implications For The Caribbean

BU for sometime has featured many blogs on the obvious tension which continues to grip the world caused perhaps by the clash of the two dominant religions – Islam and Christianity. Our concern as a small island which is significantly dependant on tourism is the looming impact current tensions may have on our tourist industry.

On Christmas day we had the attempt by a Nigerian who attempted to explode a North Western flight as it was about to land in Detroit, USA. Today (27 December 2009) the world again tensed-up when a North Western flight from Amsterdam to Detroit alerted the authorities of a possible danger and emergency action was triggered as a result.

Our regional leaders need to anticipate that in a post-911 era the world will have to live in Code Orange mode edging to Red and global travel will become increasingly challenging. How will the security weary tourist react to security measures which are becoming more and more cumbersome? The video above exposes the challenge Western governments now face in battling a growing threat by people who are sympathetic to the Islamic view. While the focus of past terrorists incidents have been located in the USA and parts of Europe, the footprint of the threat is expanding.  It is not BU’s intention to stereotype one group of people but the obvious reality cannot be ignored in the aftermath of recent events.

Unfortunately this part of the world our media is reluctant to tackle issues which touches race and religion because of the sensitive nature of it all. At some point our leaders in this region, media et al will have to assess the impact of the unravelling issue of growing tensions between Islam and the rest of the world.

Of interest to the BU family is the following comment posted to an earlier blog which was posted to represent the Islam religion in a non-stereotypical view.

The Blooming Of A Thousand Flowers Ready To Launch Assault On The Culture Of Silence Suffocating Barbados

The verdict on the recent application by the Barbados Light & Power Company for a rate hike promised by the Chairman of the Fair Trading Commission  (FTC) Sir Neville Nicholls passed without any serious notice by the media earlier this month. The media given its responsibility within the Fourth Estate of the Realm has failed the PEOPLE yet again given its responsibility to keep us informed. The blatant renege by the Fourth Estate of its important civil responsibility means that most Barbadians remain ignorant to the important issues affecting them.

The Head of the Barbados Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (BANGO) Roosevelt King when asked by BU the possible reason for the delay gave the following response:

“Through fear tactics, psychological warfare, oppression and violence many people have been forced physically and mentally, [to not exercise] their right to voice their opinions or their desires to fight against the oppression that they experience. The people are forced to believe, and later come to identify with, the idea that the oppressor has supreme power and is working in the favor of the people. As a result a culture of quiet, non resistant, passive if you will, people are born. This Culture of Silence is longstanding and continues because the people continue to allow the destruction and the oppression to occur, not because they want to, but because fighting against the oppressor seems futile. Those that do fight are eradicated and made examples of in the attempt to silence future attempts at reform. – Author unknown – internet posting”

Be reminded Mr. King’s BANGO participated in the just concluded FTC/BL&P rate hike application.

Merry Christmas To All!

Cruise Arrivals Up, Revenue Down

Submitted by Adrian Loveridge

‘He (Geoffrey Roach, CEO of the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal) reported cruise ship passengers arrivals to be 760,000 for the last financial year, and projected a six percent growth in the next financial year’.

‘But he said passengers were spending less, as evidenced in a recent Florida Caribbean Cruise Association study which put the average spend per cruise passenger in Barbados at US$69, down from US$111 in 2006.’

So despite the declared increases in cruise ship passenger arrivals, actual per capita spending is down by a staggering 38% or US$30 million for the last ‘financial year’.

I wonder if this US$30 million figure was factored in to the $100 million loss in tourism revenue recently quoted the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association?

So what measures to redress this situation have been put in place?

What investment has been made by the Barbados Tourism Authority and who is monitoring its cost-effectiveness?