Kaiso in the Senate

Calypso in the Senate? A normally mild-mannered Senator sang calypso to make a point in the Upper House late Tuesday, to the delight of her somewhat surprised colleagues. Maybe it was the late hour. Maybe it was the Carnival season. Maybe it was the relaxed mood of Committee Stage. Whatever it was, it led to a Senator using song and verse to urge maids to seek the protection offered by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). Independent Senator Dr Eastlyn McKenzie made a splash.

The Upper House had been caught in a jam as to whether the onus should be on maids or their employees to register for NIS. Senators had said such a maid seeking to register would soon find herself out of a job. On the other hand, if left to the employer to do, it would never happen. McKenzie intervened. She announced that in the spirit of the season, she had written a jingle which could be used in a public awareness campaign targetted at domestics. She suddenly broke out into song: “Go and register, take the bother; Go and register!” As she chanted she got into character by bobbing her head up and down and from side-to-side. All applauded. It was almost as if Government and Opposition forgot their differences. The National Insurance (Amendment) Bill was passed.