Guyana launches separate probe into Rusal official
Guyana has rejected the results of an internal investigation by a Russian bauxite company that found that a general manager did not threaten workers at one of its plants last month.
Labour minister Manzoor Nadir says Guyana's government has launched its own probe to determine whether the general manager used a spade to threaten employees sitting in a company bus.
Nadir said Wednesday that workers told union leaders Rusal's investigating team never met with them.
The government also is probing whether the company was justified in dismissing dozens of workers more than a year ago after they protested working conditions.
Rusal officials could not be reached for comment.
Rusal is the world's largest producer of alumina and aluminum.
LIAT and unions to meet
The management of LIAT and the unions representing workers at its City Ticketing Offices (CTOs) will meet on Friday to continue discussions surrounding the closure of the city offices.
The airline's Corporate Communications Manager Desmond Brown in a release today said LIAT and the unions have been in talks for approximately 18-months in a bid to make the process as smooth as possible for the affected employees.
Brown said approximately 34 employees would be affected by the closure of the offices in Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent. (PR)
REDjet faces further delays
Regional carrier REDjet is facing further delays in getting approval to fly to Jamaica.
Two weeks ago, the director general of the Civil Aviation Authority, Colonel Oscar Derby said a decision would have been made by June 4 on REDjet’s application.
However, this afternoon, he told The Jamaica Gleaner that there has been a further delay because the Civil Aviation Authority is still awaiting critical information from the Barbadian authorities.
On May 30, Colonel Derby reported that the board of the Civil Aviation Authority had expected to finalise the REDjet application on May 26.
He said the decision was delayed in light of an announcement that the Jamaica/Caribbean Airlines deal had finally been inked.
Colonel Derby disclosed, before granting a licence to REDjet the Authority wanted to ensure that there is nothing precluding it in the agreement between Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines.
The delay by Jamaica and Trinidad in granting a license to REDjet had led the airline to announce that it was scrapping plans to fly between Kingston and Port of Spain.
REDjet was also forced to push back the start-up of service between Jamaica and Barbados by another two months.
No bail for man charged with $370,000 trick
A 49-year-old man,who is alleged to have conned a lecturer out of more than TT$370,000 in US, Canadian and T&T currency, was denied bail yesterday. Naitram Jaggan, of Mayo Road, Mayo, was not called upon to plead when he appeared before Magistrate Mark Wellington in the San Fernando First Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged he stole $370,000, including US$1,200 and CAD$200, from Shanaz Wahid between August 7, 2009 and May 30, 2010.
It is also alleged the money was payment for four cars Jaggan claimed he would import from Japan.
Jaggan, who was not represented by an attorney, told the court he had previous convictions. He was remanded in custody for tracing and the matter was adjourned to June 13. He was arrested on Tuesday by Gaspaillo Police following a beating incident. Sgt Kent Ghisyawan and Ag Sgt Dexter Richardson, of the San Fernando Fraud Squad, charged Jaggan with larceny by way of a trick.
Bureaucracy and Continued Inconsistencies of interim Administration.
Bureaucracy and Continued Inconsistencies of the Interim Administration
It is safe to say the CSA in recent time has been primarily focused on attaining an amicable resolution to the ‘Essential Pensions and Payroll Changes’ proposals, but this does not mean that we have been asleep where it relates to other issues facing the civil service. Since the
suspension of the Constitution, the interim government has introduced various procedures meant to make a more transparent and efficient civil service. While the CSA Management Council welcomes and support all efforts to achieve those goals, some of the bureaucratic practices
deployed thus far are neither transparent nor efficient.
To support this conclusion, we look closely at the new procedures for receiving approval for Regional and International Travel. First, an Overseas Duty Travel (ODT) form is submitted to be signed and agreed on by a Head of Department (HOD) and a Permanent Secretary (P/S).
Additionally, an International Travel Request (ITR) form has to be submitted to the Ministry of Finance, outlining everything found in the ODT form in addition to stating if travel, accommodation, and/or subsistence will be sponsored. The ITR form also requires the approval of the HOD, P/S, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and/or the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). If Government funding is required, a Travel Subsistence Advance (TSA) form has to be submitted, which has to be approved by the HOD, P/S, P/S Finance, CFO, and CEO. Finally, once the TSA form has been approved, the payment can then be entered on the SmartStream System for approval by the HOD, P/S, and Representative from the Ministry of Finance for processing of
payment.
If this seems a roundabout way of doing things, it’s because it is. This process highlights a few things; firstly, the process alone seems constructed to discourage civil servants from even applying for support to attend meetings, workshops or any training for that matter due to the excessive levels of bureaucracy, or it seems that may be the desired result. Secondly, all the guidelines outlined are not applied to all civil servants equally and some have direct access to bypass much of the process itself. For example, a very senior civil servant was approved for a travel advance in excess of the $250set for accommodation for European Travel. The question is, if the official knew the cost of the accommodation beforehand could he/she not have found accommodation within the range outlined in the new subsistence guidelines? Also, will other civil servants be allowed to follow this pattern? We have a saying for that in the TCI.... “Curry Favour”!!!! To add insult to injury, the CEO/CFO has to approve travel even if it is fully sponsored. Frankly, if a HOD and P/S cannot jointly approve of travel that’s fully sponsored without the assistance of the CEO/CFO, then either they lack competencies to hold their post or the requirement for the approval of the CEO/CFO is to exercise unnecessary and time wasting control over the process. The latter conclusion seems the obvious one.
On to the next issue at hand- salaries and allowances- it appears as if the Interim Administration through the CEO’s office seems to be completely disregarding the recently updated salary scale when it suits them. This seems to be a continuation of a policy practiced by previous administrations whereby experience or qualifications has no direct bearing on remunerations received but more a reflection of whom is in or is likely to take up the a post. We have a TCI phrase for that: “Curry Favour!!!!” This blatant discrimination does not set an
example of good and fair governance! Below is a table of recently advertised post within the Civil Service inclusive of minimum qualifications, minimum experience, and basic salary scale.
After a review of the table one would find that the disparity in salary has no direct link to qualifications and experience. Highlighted by the Accountant General Post, which almost doubled in salary from its previous T49-T53 pay scale and the Director of Social Development which was previously T39-T43 and is now not in a pay scale grade. We question why these posts and why now?? Have persons
already been identified for those posts? Is one Masters Degree not comparable to another?? Is one’s 7 years of managerial experience not comparable to another? There is also a need to bring some clarity as to whom and how one qualifies for a Professional Allowance. Again, this seems to be a mechanism to pad the overall take home remuneration of a select few. On doing research, there seems to be no clear criteria to qualify for the allowance and yet it is still being issued and advertised with some job postings.
We invite the CEO, OPSM, and others to the table to iron out all of these inconsistencies and excessive bureaucracy once and for all to achieve a shared goal of producing a more transparent and efficient civil service.
BNC CONSULTING GROUP OFFERS EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Providenciales’ leading HR consulting company, BNC Consulting Group, continues to lend its in-depth expertise and knowledge to assisting organizations in developing a workforce that is effective in delivering favorable results.
This strategy allows the company to place emphasis on the recruitment and training of young professionals while specializing in tailored staffing solutions for various sectors throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Bridgette Thomas, BNC Consulting Group’s owner and Managing Director said, “We recognize the individual capabilities of our applicants and we strive to match the right candidate with the perfect organization and position. Our goal is to continuously contribute to the TCI Community and our efforts are focused on placing TC Islanders in
suitable jobs. We know that applicants and companies alike have been experiencing challenges due to the current economic downturn and we are therefore at this time offering this service free of charge.”
BNC Consulting Group, with its diverse database of candidates, can help companies in any industry fill all types of positions. From administrative, marketing, finance and accounting to hospitality and customer service, the company will work with all businesses to help them meet their recruiting objectives.
Thomas added, “Our aim is to help connect two parties with corresponding needs whose paths otherwise might never have crossed. We get acquainted with our clients and make every effort to fully understand their needs so that the candidate search yields the correct fit almost immediately. Our process is very detailed, and all candidates are pre-screened and undergo a very rigorous interviewing process before they are introduced to a prospective employer.”
In addition to recruitment, BNC Consulting Group also offers HR consulting services aligned to meet companies’ strategic goals, as well as customized training, organizational development and leadership development to help organizations identify and grow future company leaders.
PDM statement on role of census in constitutional and electoral reform
In the lead up to constitutional talks in London, we are greatly concerned that underlying assumptions that have made their way into the constitutional and electoral change process is flawed. To underscore this point we notice that there is yet to be a census conducted in the Turks and Caicos Islands even though one is long overdue. But, changes are being considered to the electoral system based upon the population, size and make up of persons in the islands.
We have reason to believe that there are approximately 35000 persons living in the Turks and Caicos Islands which would represent a doubling of the population in approximately 10 years since the last census was conducted. We also have reason to believe that the breakdown of those 35000 persons is as follows:
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20 thousand Turks and Caicos Islanders living in the country
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13 thousand temporary work permit holders and;( declined from 18thousand in 2009)
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2 thousand Permanent Residency Certificate holders of Jamaican, Haitian, Dominican, American, British and other nationalities.
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An unknown number of illegal persons.
The flaw comes from the fact that the figures used again and again by the FCO and their advisors are that only 7000 persons out of the entire population is properly politically represented. This information or misinformation is deceivingly incorrect. We would accept that it is merely and oversight, however because of the consistent repeating of this incorrect information we are compel to demand that the FCO discontinue to use this statistic as a basis for decision making purposes.
We state this now so that the people will know that we are aware of the false assumptions that have been used by the British Government to arrive at their various positions. WE ALSO STATE FOR THE RECORD THAT WE INTEND TO CORRECT THE RECORD ON THIS AND OTHER INACCURACIES.
We further call on the Interim Government to publish the census or tell the people when they will publish the census.
We will correct the record of the final report of the Commission of Inquiry on how the PAC functioned in the next release.
Methodist Women from the Bahamas and the TCI converge on Providenciales
Methodist Women from around the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands will today Thursday 2nd June converge on Providenciales at the Methodist Church in Blue Hills for their annual Bahamas Turks and Caicos Islands MCCA Methodist Women’s Conference under the theme “Women of God, enlarging our territory; pursuing our mission.”
Conference begins this evening with a welcome Barbeque and continues until Sunday 5th June.
It continues on Friday morning with the official opening and flag raising ceremony followed by devotions and the keynote address by Mrs. Claudette Munroe-Clare. Sessions include Women in politics, doing business in a declining economy, domestic violence, a medical session on matters of the heart and a Praise and worship workshop.
Delegates move to the Methodist mission in North Caicos on Saturday morning for the day session which will be held there and includes a prayer breakfast with speaker Dottis Arthur, business session and a tour of north Caicos.
Delegates return to Providenciales for an evening of talent, fun and laughter. Conference ends with the service on Lord’s Day 5th June where the liturgist will be Rev Stacia Williams Christmas and the preacher Rev Julia Williams.
Congressman Admits Lying About Lewd Photograph
New York Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner has admitted he sent a lewd photograph to a female college student using his Twitter account after previously denying he had done so. Weiner apologized for lying but said he will not resign.
During a televised news conference Monday in New York, an emotional Weiner also admitted that he had what he said were “inappropriate” conversations on the Internet and telephone with about six women both before and after his recent marriage. But, he said he had not met any of the women and has not had a physical relationship outside his year-old marriage. Weiner's wife, Huma Abedin, is a longtime aide to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Weiner said his wife learned the truth “this morning.”
The 46-year-old Weiner insisted he had not broken the law.
House Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has called for an Ethics Committee investigation to determine whether any official resources were used or any other violation of House rules occurred.
Pressure had been building on the New York congressman after the lewd photo reached a woman in the state of Washington via his Twitter account. For several days, Weiner claimed to have been the victim of computer hackers.
Analysts say Weiner may come under pressure from Democratic colleagues to quickly resign because of the potential political fallout from an embarrassing sex scandal, complete with numerous Internet photos. Several photos surfaced Monday of Congressman Weiner shirtless, flexing his muscles.
There was speculation Weiner was planning to run for mayor of New York City in 2013. Now his political future is in doubt.
Nowitzki rallies Mavs to win that ties NBA finals
Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks put a stunning end to their misery in Miami.
Now they can win their first NBA title without ever coming back to South Florida.
Nowitzki made the tie-breaking layup with 3.6 seconds left, and the Mavericks roared back from 15 points down in the fourth quarter to beat the Heat 95-93 on Thursday night and tie the NBA finals at one game apiece.
Capping a furious rally by scoring Dallas' final nine points, Nowitzki made two late baskets left-handed - despite a torn tendon on that non-shooting hand. He finished with 24 points.
Dwyane Wade had 36 points for Miami, but his desperation 3-pointer was off at the buzzer.
"I thought defensively we really got into them," Nowitzki said of the rally. "We pressured them full court and we scrambled defensively. We even gave up some offensive rebounds, but we kept scrambling."
Game 3 is Sunday in Dallas.
Seemingly out of the game when the Heat led 88-73 with 7:15 remaining, Dallas held the Heat to just one field goal from there, a 3-pointer by Mario Chalmers with 24.5 seconds that tied it just 2 seconds after Nowitzki's 3 had made it 93-90.
But after a timeout, Jason Kidd ran the clock down before getting the ball to Nowitzki, who drove into the lane, spun back to the left and made the layup.
Jason Terry, largely silent since the first half of Game 1, fueled the comeback with a couple of jumpers and finished with 16 points. Shawn Marion had 20 points for the Mavericks, who had lost four straight finals games in Miami since taking a 2-0 lead in the 2006 series.
They were about to go down 2-0 this time before Nowitzki, who insisted his injured finger wouldn't hinder him, led a rally even more amazing than the one that won Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, when the Mavs trailed Oklahoma City by 15 in the fourth quarter before pulling it out in overtime.
LeBron James scored 20 points for the Heat.
He and Wade were running by and over the older Mavs for three quarters, and it appeared the only thing that could slow them down was that big trophy they would soon be holding.
Not so fast.
Wade angered the Mavs, particularly Terry, when he held his follow through after his 3-pointer from the corner with 7:15 left capped a 13-0 run and made it 88-73.
The Heat suddenly went cold, holding the ball too long on possessions and forcing James and Wade to attempt long jumpers with the shot clock winding down, instead of playing to their strengths and driving into the lane.
A series of those missed jumpers eventually ended with the Mavs getting possession, and Nowitzki making a layup that tied it at 90 with 57 seconds to play.
The Heat lost for the first time in 10 games at home in the playoffs and will have to win at least once in Dallas to force the series back here.
Source: sportsillustrated