N Touch

BWIA can’t pay severance

BWIA has promised to pay retrenched employees part of their salary until the airline can pay severance.

Employees, though, are saying the offer is not good enough. About 60 retrenched employees gathered outside BWIA’s office at Piarco yesterday to protest the fact that they have not received severance payments although they were due two weeks ago. BWIA management is saying the airline does not have the cash to pay the workers. Over 600 workers were retrenched in January, mostly from the maintenance and ramp departments.

Christopher Abraham, president of the Aviation Communication and Allied Workers Union (ACAWU) and Jagdeo Jagroop, president of Communication and Transport Workers Union (CATTU) met with BWIA management yesterday but were unable to get management to say when the severance will be paid. Union officials will be meeting with Trade Minister Ken Valley today, although the retrenched workers said they want a meeting with the Prime Minister and promised to go to Whitehall to meet Manning after Thursday’s Cabinet meeting.

After the meeting communications director Clint Williams said money was allocated for retrenchment in 2003 but the money has been used to meet commitments since the Gulf War started. The airline is again cash strapped because of a rise in cancellations over the past week. Williams said BWIA will also be speaking to financial institutions on behalf of retrenched employees, to assure them that the money will be paid.

Outside, ex-employees said they want the money, not letters of comfort. “They’re playing games with my severance, Didier Mora said, “I have children to send to school. I would like Mr Manning, just as how he supported the plan, to tell Mr Aleong to pay the people, because this is people on the breadline.” Last week Prime Minister Patrick Manning said he was prepared to let BWIA go under. This,  a day after the airline’s management met with him, asking for assistance during the drop in travel caused by the war in Iraq and promising to submit a new plan with more cost cutting measures.

Williams said the partial payment is to help the severed workers meet their commitments until Government responds to the new plan.  “It depends on what kind of response we get from the Government. We think we have a good plan and we think that with the revisions we’ve made to the plan it will be a valid case.” Meanwhile, some retrenched maintenance workers have been hired by Staffhire which has been performing maintenance.

Time for body to represent students

The Editor: Mr. Trevor Oliver of TTUTA is reported to have called on the Ministry of Education to expel disruptive students from the school system. Mr. Oliver is quoted: “These students must be removed to rehabilitative institutions with an alternative curriculum more suited to their needs and end the frustration they experience.”  The Guidance Supervisor concurred, indicating that the first suspension centre would be opened on April 1st.

Who will be in charge of these children when they are removed from the school system? Teachers? Represented by TTUTA? I can close my eyes and see annual intakes and the grand opening by the Minister of, new institutions every three years or so.  I am afraid to try to project to 2020. This, in my view is a step too far perhaps to a point of no return. When that does not work then what? These pupils are already carrying too many labels.  A new, bigger, negative LABEL would not work! In his address the TTUTA President noted a nexus between curriculum disability and errant behaviour. Then the first and most important task must be to identify loci of curriculum delivery failure (which is easy), and take necessary prescriptive steps. 

In this country we have very many powerful bodies looking after the needs of workers, doctors, community groups, politicians etc.. There is one that champions teachers’ interests and argues cases for teachers who are accused of errancy, citing conditions like poor working environment, unprofessional administrative practices etc.  What we need now is a strong organised body to represent pupils. One that will demand and ensure that all pupils get their just due in all classrooms and argue cases for those accused of errancy. Something tells me that is the function of a professional teachers body and a Ministry of Education.

Volney L Pierre
Mac Lean St.
Palmiste Development
La Romaine

Deal with health crisis

THE EDITOR: Now that two more executive managers of the NWRHA have resigned, I think it is about time that Colm Imbert be called to account. Surely six resignations within a six-week period must indicate that something is drastically wrong with the organisation. Is it that the Minister really wants to control the show for himself as suggested by several different persons in the health sector?

I understand that the most recent resignations are those of the Vice President of Human Resources and Legal Affairs respectively. These are two key positions which were made by the former Deputy Chairman of the NWRHA Stevenson Sarjeant. While the Minister is whittling away at the NWRHA’s staff, patients continue to suffer because of mismanagement. The hospitals are deteriorating,  security is lax and basic amenities are not available. The Minister of Health is seeking to recruit medical staff in Cuba but it might be more feasible for him to seek administrative staff at the same time. This way he will be guaranteed total submission and total control. While he denies his involvement in the day-to-day affairs of the organisation, the Minister is in effect the CEO of the NWRHA.

For how long are tax payers going to have to deal with Imbert’s poor management of the health system? Please Mr Prime Minister get involved, health care is one of the three important deliverables which you have identified as part of your vision for developed nation status by the year 2020. If Minister Imbert continues to brand good people as incompetent and then pressure them into leaving, Education and Housing will be your only successes.

DAVID STEWART
St Ann’s

Please deal with this interchange!

THE EDITOR: The decision to improve the traffic conditions in preparation for the controversial interchange at the Uriah Butler and Churchill Rosevelt Highways is sound planning.

To satisfy this condition, there is need for road improvement in all directions to facilitate the expected flow of traffic before the implementation of the interchange. Without this requirement, traffic congestion will always remain a problem to the users. Brown Engineers, Road Consultants to Government, provided a 20-year development plan for the East-West corridor to Chaguaramas in the early seventies of the last century. It included a cloverleaf for the intersection in contention, and a third lane of traffic. I see no reason for anyone to criticise Government. It should be complimented for the initiative; it’s all in the pipeline.

At a glance, the benefit can be seen of the use of the three-lane traffic at the intersection. There is no delay for the North and South-bound traffic; it can now filter into the third lane provided, avoiding the light that causes delays in getting to work during the morning rush hours. In the final analysis, the bottle-neck approach at the end of the three-lane traffic on entering Port-of-Spain must be solved before giving way to the interchange.

This is an ideal situation that calls for an elevated freeway that will overcome the traffic delays caused by lights close to each other along the Wrightson Main Road. It can follow the course of the median strip if so desired. But consideration should be given to a Monorail System of public transportation in which cars ride on a single rail elevated above the ground traffic in opposite directions, supported on pylons or any suitable structures, using the median strip to full advantage. It does not require the purchase of land.

Any government in power tries to score political points. The interchange is a case in point. Sometimes it pays off and other times found to be disastrous. For example, the enquiry into the high construction cost of the Piarco Airport Terminal Building; the construction flaw of the Biche High School; the ridiculous cost of resurfacing roads and other questionable decisions. This cannot be deemed a success. The UNC now lies on the fault line. Look for honest people with clean hands in order to govern. A government must be strong and firm in carrying out the works entrusted to them and be prepared to rule in the midst of enemies. The campaign of “Civil Disobedience” clearly indicates that the United National Congress can no longer function effectively as an alternative government.

W   CRAIGWELL
Valsayn

Wasa doesn’t care

THE EDITOR: Please grant me a space in your widely read newspaper to express my disgust with the way WASA is treating over 1,500 villagers of St Charles and adjoining villages with water during the wee hours of the night.

The situation has been so for over ten years. But the gas station at St Charles can get a truckload of water every day for commercial use, ie to wash vehicles, but residents cannot get truck borne water as though we are not taxpayers.

Those who can afford overhead tanks will get water during the night, but what about those who do not have or cannot afford? They have to buy water or borrow a Good Samaritan’s van or car and go to Petit Morne, near the recreation ground to get this precious commodity. Is this fair and just, WASA? Or is this injustice an unequal treatment?

My advice to WASA is to run the water through the pipe from 3 am to 9 am so that a wide section of consumers may breathe a sigh of relief to get the indispensable commodity. Come on WASA show that you can care for the little man too.

JIMMY MAHABIR
Princes Town

Why tax pensioners?

THE EDITOR: After working for so many years (20 plus) and paying enormous relevant taxes, I am due to receive pension benefits.

However, these benefits are again taxed. Why? Why do I have to pay taxes on these benefits again having paid taxes all through my working life? I am asking all those who read this and are in agreement to voice their opinion through this or any other media.

SONNY M JULES
Maraval

CARONI’S D-DAY NEARS

Wednesday is D-Day for Caroni [1975] Limited and its 9,000 plus workers, by which date they [the workers] must either complete and hand in forms accepting the Government’s VSEP offer or face retrenchment.

Acceptance of the VSEP package has been resisted by the All Trinidad General and Sugar Workers Union, as well as by the Opposition United National Congress, which has sugar and allied workers as its political base. The VSEP offer is part of a larger plan by Government for the restructuring of Caroni, which the UNC fears will erode its political base, as well as mean less income from workers’ dues for the union. Already, some 4,000 sugar workers have reportedly filled in and returned their forms signifying acceptance of the VSEP offer, and yet more are expected to comply before the Wednesday, April 2 deadline. Minister of Agriculture, Senator John Rahael, indicated last week that Government needed another 4,000 completed forms to reach its target. Oddly, while the Opposition UNC has been arguing against the restructuring of Caroni, which would seek the growing and reaping of sugar cane in the hands of cane farmers, the UNC, while in Government had seen as necessary, not simply the offer of VSEP, but even it seems the closing down of Caroni. Today it has denied that it ever had any such intention.

There is nothing perverse or politically motivated in the decision by the People’s National Movement Administration to restructure Caroni and get out of sugar cane production. The approaching end of the Convention of Lome, under which Caribbean [and other Commonwealth] sugar receives preferential entry into the European Union, signals that Government must get out of sugar cane production. The  Administration is not getting out of the sugar industry completely, and instead will still continue to grind sugar at its Usine Ste Madeleine factory, one of two factories operated by Government. The other is at Brechin Castle. But whether or not the Convention of Lome was ending in 2006, preferential entry of sugar to the European Union was certain to be challenged, under the regulations of the World Trade Organisation, in much the same way that preferential entry of bananas to the Union had been challenged by the United States.

Either way, Caroni’s days in sugar cane production were numbered by the proverbial sword of Damocles, which hung over the country’s sugar industry as an instrument of both globalisation and the upcoming end of the Convention of Lome. And although both problems for the country’s sugar industry have been hovering for several years, not once has the leadership of the sugar workers union, following on Government’s VSEP offer, given the impression it was prepared to accept that the problems existed and that it was developing strategies to deal either with any WTO threat or life after Lome. The United National Congress, once out of office, has sought to politicise the current Government’s plans for the restructuring of Caroni, rather than continue to advance its former position on the ‘inevitability’ of the situation.

Meanwhile, Wednesday is Deadline Day for Caroni’s sugar workers to signify whether they would accept the VSEP offer, including enhanced severance benefits and other perks, or run the risk of being retrenched without the protective financial umbrella of the VSEP package. It is a sad day that instead of a calm, calculated approach to the welfare and future of the sugar workers, there should be so much rhetoric, confusion and downright ignorance of the issue.

What peace really means

Recently, I read in the Trinidad Catholic News “Viewpoint”, that PEACE is the fruit of social order. Those words suddenly jumped at me.  It was like a sudden shock into reality as I asked myself well then, is there peace in Trinidad and Tobago?  Because if peace is the fruit of social order, it implies quite naturally that there must first be social order.

What then is social order? Order is, according to the Oxford dictionary, “a state of obedience to Law and Authority etc.” Heavy words in our TT context. This relatively rare quality of human existence must be experienced by, at least, the majority of a populace. And if this is the case the following situations will be rarity rather than being the norm, or the order of the day: — Citizens will feel free and sufficiently safe to walk away leaving their parked unlocked cars behind. Or they can sit relaxed in their homes with the doors wide open at 7.30 in the evening, knowing that there will be no interference by unauthorised persons.

We will be confident that our leaders, politicians etc, will not be stealing the peoples’ money. That they are not twisting the rules and interpretations according to who is involved. The industrial climate should be of such that there is justice and fairplay on all sides, so that in the eventual long run poor workers and taxpayers do not suffer through no fault of theirs. There will be a higher minimum wage rate. And powerful entrepreneurs will not abuse and intimidate helpless, unionised workers, as is the norm in a number of locations right now. They would support the idea of a higher minimum wage rate.

To this end it is advisable that such employers revisit the recent address given by Dr Aleem Mohammed Chairman of SM Jaleel in his speech to the just concluded Business Development Company’s enterprise development seminar/workshop. He said, among other things, that people are the greatest assets of a company. He also emphasised the need to bring spirituality to the work place. “There must be spirit-centered leadership…we live too much in ego and we edge God out. There must be honesty, integrity and transparency,” he said.
To my mind these are words of wisdom that are needed now more than ever in the hearts of our business community. Looking now in other areas, if the Police and the criminal justice system can only be seen to be able to carry out their responsibilities effectively and efficiently to the extent that the people feel safe and not intimidated.

Our police officers are the main watchmen of the society. They are charged with the responsibility of bringing to justice those who break the law. But even this August and honourable body is not without its own problems. I am not sure that they can deal with the present situation. More than that there still seem to be evidence that some of these very people continue to bring down the Police service by their distasteful and obnoxious behaviour. As a result greater feelings of despair, fear and mistrust are being engendered. If we could only conduct ourselves especially during Carnival time in such a manner to give some hope to the few remaining decent, religious and respectable families that are still around.

If the politicians, both Government and Opposition, could only be honest and willing enough to demonstrate, by their behaviour that they are there only to serve the people to the best of their abilities, not having any personal agendas to satisfy save and except their due reward. If only there was no such thing as the Airport inquiry and all that it has shown us thus far and those still to be exposed. If there could be a better and more acceptable driving public, the type that is prepared to show by their driving behaviour, that they are willing, ready and able to demonstrate patience, tolerance, respect for others and, most of all, obedience to the law.

It seems to me that respect for human life should be a basic human requirement, just as respect for the law. But what of Government and other responsible agencies miserable failure to deliver proper and adequate services to its populace. What of the ongoing cases of heartless murders, corruption and industrial actions that leave people virtually suffering, in some cases dying, for lack of basic care and protection by the state? Only when these levels of correction are realised can we safely say that “social order” is evident. Social order to me is that state of affairs where the requirements for orderliness exist. It places high on its list of compulsory requirements, exemplary behaviour by all, but especially by those in public office and leadership positions.

Some of these requirements are that the laws, rules and regulations are obeyed.  And where these do not happen there are effective working systems put in place, long beforehand, in order to deal with the offenders regardless to who they may be, and to institute proper damage control and timely correction. It is the situation where all peoples perform their specific related responsibilities according to the dictates of any socially ordered, rational, and responsible people. In such a setting the punished must therefore accept their punishments, which really will be the consequences of their own silly actions. This scenario presupposes a well working justice system. Therefore, I ask where is the orderliness, that bedrock for peace? Or is social order relative, just as we have reduced so many basic important traditions to a state of relativity in order to suit our own selfish desires.

Could social order exist in light of so many disorders? Assuming then that the aforementioned factors exist in my “beautiful country”, and peace is the fruit of social order, then what do we have? Or do we need to change the definition for peace just to fit into our own special situation?  We seem good at changing around any situation to suit our needs. We need to heed the advice of Former American President, Jimmy Carter: “We must adjust to changing times but hold on to unchanging principles” This vital piece of advice was passed on to the world in his acceptance speech in Oslo on the occasion of his Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony on Dec 11 2002. Since it seems that almost everyone wants a “piece” of the action, could it be then that some confuse “Peace” with “piece”? I wonder.

Lara back at the helm

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Double world batting record holder Brian Lara has been reappointed West Indies captain for the Cable & Wireless home series against Australia and Sri Lanka.

Lara, who previously held the captaincy during 1998 and 1999, replaces Carl Hooper, and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced other major appointments today including Australian Bennett King becoming the first ever foreign coach of the West Indies cricket team. The WICB named Ramnaresh Sarwan as vice-captain to Lara, and Gus Logie as King’s coaching assistant, while retaining Ricky Skerritt as team manager and formally appointing Roger Brathwaite as the board’s Chief Executive Officer. In the recent World Cup where the Hooper-led West Indies disappointingly exited at the first round stage, Lara was the most prolific scorer — with 248 runs — for the West Indies’ in its failed attempt at the 2003 World Cup.

The selection committee recommended the 33-year-old Lara for the job and the WICB ratified it at a board meeting on Sunday. After two years in the job, a dejected Lara resigned as West Indies captain at the start of the 2000 season following humiliating losses on tour of New Zealand where they were beaten 2-0 in the Test series and 5-0 in the one-dayers. The world Test (375) and first-class (501) batting record holder had said subsequently that he was not interested in the team’s captaincy, but has now reversed that position. King gets the coaching appointment after Roger Harper did not seek to renew his contract, but will not be available immediately and Logie will assume coaching duties for the Cable & Wireless series starting with the first Test against Australia on April 10 in Guyana.

Sarwan, a rising batting star in the side and leader in the team’s batting averages at the World Cup, will be Lara’s deputy in a move WICB President Reverend Wes Hall described as a “developmental plan”. The WICB accepted its appointment committee’s recommendation to retain Skerritt as team manager, renewing a previous — three-year — contract that ended after the World Cup. Brathwaite, the board’s Chief Marketing Executive, who had been acting as board’s Chief Executive Officer after Gregory Shillingford’s departure late last year, formally takes the top spot.

Bdos romp into Carib Beer Challenge final

BRIDGETOWN: Vasbert Drakes showed his vast experience with both ball and bat to spur Barbados to a nine-wicket win over Trinidad and Tobago on the third day of the Carib Beer International Challenge semi-final at Kensington Oval yesterday.

Barbados won the match by nine wickets after they were set a modest 27 for victory by Trinidad and Tobago who were bowled out for 104 in their second innings. Earlier Barbados carried their first innings from the overnight 288 for seven wickets to 366 all out. The win paced them in this weekend’s Carib Beer International Challenge final against either Jamaica or Guyana. The 33-year-old Drakes, who made a return to international cricket last year after a self-imposed absence by playing professionally, mainly in South Africa scored 41 and then returned to grabbed six for 31 as Trinidad and Tobago were fired out in 36.4 overs in their second innings, having faced a 78-run deficit on first innings.

Barbados easily reached the victory target in 8.4 overs, to sustain their very impressive winning record this season, with all their victims including five in the Carib Cup — which they beat with a match to spare — with a day to spare. Floyd Reifer (13 not out) hit the winning runs, lifting off-spinner Rodney Sooklal for a tremendous six over long-off, the ball sailing over the Peter Short Media Centre and landing in a guard hut at an adjoining business compound. Captain Daren Ganga was again Trinidad & Tobago’s topscorer with 40 in 169 minutes to follow up his first innings 95, before he was last out, guiding medium-pacer Dwayne Smith to second slip after going to the crease at number three.

Fast bowler Tino Best, who grabbed the most wickets (35) in the Carib Beer Cup, picked up three for 29 including the prize scalp of just appointed West Indies captain Brian Lara without scoring. It was the 19th time Barbados had beaten Trinidad and Tobago in 21 first-class matches at Kensington Oval since the first sponsorship in 1966. Trinidad and Tobago have won once — in 1995 — with the other game a high-scoring draw in 1979. Trinidad and Tobago again lost an early wicket, as left-hander Imran Jan drove a return catch to Drakes before he had scored off the last ball of the second over. His opening partner Andy Jackson, who seemed in a hurry, managed three boundaries before driving at his 16th ball, which took an edge off Drakes for a straightforward catch to wicket-keeper Courtney Browne.