"NICE" Christmas Jobs for Students!

Friday 16, November, 2012 – Many students are to benefit from job opportunities during the Christmas season, as the National Initiative to Create Employment (NICE) continues to demonstrate its commitment at reducing unemployment rates on the island.       This program is a primary vehicle through which government will liaise with private and public sector organizations to recruit and hire students.

Saint Lucia's Communications Officer with the National Initiative to Create Employment (NICE) Dainea Augier explains that with the usual hassle of the Christmas Season, those persons will assist the business community to better serve customers   “As you know, Christmas is the time where the stores are usually filled with people. It is always a hassle for a lot of people when going to the stores to shop; people do it on their lunch hour, they need to rush back. So they need extra hands at those stores and even some of the other public service organizations as well. To really provide employment and help the students to defray the cost that they will incur when they return to school; the transportation cost, there’s cost for meals, there is even cost for uniforms, shoes and all of that.”

Augier highlighted this initiative as an opportunity for students to develop skills and work experience that will enhance and develop their career pathways.     This program will provide over 200 students, between the ages of 16 and 25 with job opportunities, given that they are returning to school in January.

The two-week program is expected to take place from December 10th – 24th.

Students who are interested in the Christmas Employment Programme can contact the NICE Office online at www.nicejobs.govt.lc/nice_christmas_form/index.php


SOURCE: www.nicejobs.govt.lc

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ENERGY, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ON INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT WASCO

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ENERGY, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ON INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT WASCO

Fri, 2012-11-16 12:28

Statement by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology on Industrial Action at WASCO

SENATOR DR  JAMES FLETCHER

November 16, 2012 -- The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology views with serious concern the ongoing industrial unrest at the Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO).  The Ministry has been made to understand that a group of workers has decided to engage in a work stoppage to demand a date for the payment of retroactive wages, consequent upon the successful conclusion of negotiations between WASCO’s management and the Labour Unions representing the workers.

It is important to note that negotiations between WASCO and the Unions have been amicably completed, with the Parties agreeing to a 10% increase in wages for all workers for the negotiated triennium 2010-2012. Given the very precarious financial state of WASCO and the present economic climate, this was a generous settlement. The wage increase for the triennium is broken down into a 4% increase for 2010, 4% increase for 2011, and a 2% increase for 2012.  This 4-4-2 Agreement over the negotiated period is above the increase in the cost of living for the corresponding period. As a consequence of the wage settlement, there is a retroactive payment, or backpay, owed to the WASCO workers of approximately $4 million. It is our understanding that WASCO’s management, by letter dated October 8th, 2012 gave a written commitment to both Trade Unions “to do all within (its) capacity to complete the retroactive payments as efficiently as possible by year end”.

WASCO is an insolvent company, whose liabilities far exceed its assets. As a result, it is virtually impossible for the company to raise any finance for its operations, expansion or projects to improve the provision of potable water to the people of Saint Lucia.  The Company is unable to meet its expenses, which include a debt of over $12.8 million to the Saint Lucia Electricity Services (LUCELEC). Our Government commends LUCELEC on its exemplary patience and understanding in working with WASCO and Government to reduce this liability, which grows by approximately $400,000 every month.  Currently, WASCO’s total debt stands at over $100 million and its monthly working capital deficit is approximately $600,000.

On the strength of a mandate from the Cabinet of Ministers, a special committee has worked on developing a plan to secure the long-term viability of WASCO. This involves some immediate measures to improve the Company’s balance sheet and actions to attract new investments and improve the cash flow. The Cabinet recently approved a payment of $3.1 million to WASCO to allow for the commencement of some critical work on the John Compton Dam to address the heavy siltation at the Dam, which is compromising its ability to ensure a reliable supply of water during the upcoming 2013 dry season.

Therefore, in the current circumstances, the company is going above and beyond its means to address the concerns of the staff with respect to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

It should also be noted that the current action by this minority group of workers is illegal based upon the stipulations of the Essential Services provision of the Labour Act.  The timeframe for the payments of retroactive wages agreed to between WASCO’s management team and the Trade Unions is not in dispute. We are also aware that no notice has been given to WASCO, the Labour Department or the Minister with responsibility for Labour of a grievance over the payment schedule. Therefore, it appears that some of WASCO’s workers are being led into illegal action under the provisions of the Labour Act. The Ministry is pleased to note, however, that this action notwithstanding, the management of WASCO is continuing to work to ensure that the matter is resolved.

DIABETES A LEADING KILLER IN THREE CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Friday November 16, 2012 – Diabetes is among the main cause of death in The Bahamas, Jamaica and Dominica, with health officials in Nassau describing the disease as a “national epidemic”.

Bahamas Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez said that diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death for all ages with a rate of 29.2 deaths per 100,000 people.

He said the situation required the attention of all stakeholders “if we are to bring the numbers down to a more manageable level”.

Dr Gomez said statistics from the Princess Margaret Hospital show that there was an average of 100 “lower extremity amputations” in The Bahamas from the period 2002-2006, and that there were 165 below the knee amputations in 2002 alone.

He said the rates could be higher as figures from the Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport, Grand Bahama, and Doctors Hospital in New Providence have not been included.

“These numbers represent a significant number of limbs lost, and lives that are irrevocably changed,” Dr Gomez said. “Surely, these rates are unacceptable. The time has come for us to focus on prevention and education of the citizens of this country.

“We are aware that this disease can be contained by making lifestyle changes,” he told a symposium held under the theme: “Diabetic Foot 101: Saving Legs, Saving Lives”.

“This Diabetic Foot Symposium is designed to create an awareness of the devastating impact of diabetic foot complications and to improve the skills of healthcare professionals in preventing and managing the complications of the disease,” Dr Gomez said.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson, in a message marking World Diabetes Day, said that 173,642 Jamaicans over 25 years old and 6,914 youths 15-24 years old suffer from diabetes.

“Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death accounting for 12.9 per cent of all deaths in Jamaica. Yet, 80 per cent of type II diabetes is preventable. Death and disability from diabetes and non-communicable diseases can be prevented by addressing the four main lifestyle risk factors which are physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol.”

Dr Ferguson said that several National surveys show that these risk factors continue to increase and spread throughout the Jamaican population.

But he said that in order tackle these behaviours, “we must start early, and target children and youth as behaviours are formed early in life”.

“Let us start with ourselves and our families in engaging in these healthy habits and work together to create supportive environments, for example smoke free spaces, and areas for physical activity. Many of us know persons living with diabetes or ourselves have diabetes. We must also support persons living with this disease so they can lead productive lives.”

In Dominica, meanwhile, Health Minister Julius Timothy is equally disturbed about recent trends related to the disease.

“I am deeply concerned with the increase in the number of amputations due to diabetic ulcers, a preventable condition in Dominica. Diabetes is known to be a contributing factor to the development of blindness and kidney disease,” he said.

Timothy said more than 35 people were presently on dialysis at the Princess Margaret Hospital, due mainly to diabetes, and urged all stakeholders to begin to take responsibility to protect the health of future generations.

“This calls for a strengthening of links between the population, the ministry of health, the business community, church and other governmental organizations”, Timothy said in a message to mark World Diabetes Day. (CMC)

SOURCE: http://www.caribbean360.com