Caribbean Times 88th Issue - Thursday 8th September 2016

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2 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Thursday 8th September 2016 Tourism Minister addresses concerns By Everton Barnes The Antigua and Barbuda government is going to lengths to reassure the country that the Statutory Corporations (General Provisions) Bill provides safeguards protecting the rights of an employee who has been seconded from one corporation to another or from one corporation to the civil service. Speaking in the House of Editor’s Note Caribbean Times is printed and published at Woods Estate/Friars Hill Road. The Editor is Justin Peters. Contact: Caribbean Times, P.O. Box W2099, Woods Estate/Friars Hill Road, St. John’s, Antigua. Tel: (268) 562-8688, Fax: (268) 562-8685. Visit us online at our website: www. caribbeantimes.ag We ask you to send: Pertinent news items to news@caribbeantimes.ag. Advertisement inquiries to accounts@caribbeantimes.ag. Letters to the editor to editor@caribbeantimes.ag Representatives debate on the motion to approve the controversial Clause 7 of the bill, Tourism Minister, Asot Michael, in defending the government’s position, spent much time discussing exactly what is a secondment and the circumstances under which they should be effected. “The term “secondment” describes where an employee is assigned on a temporary basis to work for another, “host” organization (“an external secondment”) or to work for a different part of the employer’s organization which may be a large organization (“an internal secondment”). On expiry of the secondment term, the employee (the ‘secondee’) will return to his/ her original employer,” Michael explained. He also went on to describe the relationship between statutory corporations and the central government. By Everton Barnes Two home owner’s appeal to the Cabinet has been successful resulting in the government ordering the removal of a cell tower from their neighbourhood. Making the disclosure, Cabinet spokesman said the two people live in the St John’s Rural North constituency and they went to the Cabinet to report the construction of the two in a residential area. They told the Cabinet that this poses a threat to homeowners who will be exposed to harmful radiation over time. According to Hurst the offending tower was about 14 feet in height and located in close proximity to homes in the area. He said the “A public corporation is a “quasi-governmental” body administering services on behalf of the central government. But in all cases in Antigua and Barbuda, Public Corporations are wholly owned by the Government and the People of Antigua and Barbuda,” he further explained. Minister Michael also addressed a number of concerns as detailed in the Daily Observer newspaper. He listed nine concerns but said that they may be classified under three broad headings; (1) Excessive powers are being given to ministers, (2) There are Illegal provisions of the bill which seek to interfere with employment contract and (3) Employees cannot be seconded without their consent. In addressing the issue of excessive power, Michael said ministers who are given powers under a statute are required to act within their powers. “We are not laws unto ourselves and should not at any time act high handed or unjustly. We must at all times act fairly, reasonably, and with impartiality, equity and justice for all,” he stated. He added that there are provisions for redress should anyone feel aggrieved by a minister’s action. Regarding the accusation that there are illegal provisions in the bill, the tourism minister said there are no illegal provisions in the bill per se, as an employee’s employment contract has to be honoured prior to the actual secondment. On the question of an employee had to give consent before the secondment, Michael cited legal precedent and relevant statute to show that this is now so that an employee can be expected to be seconded from time to time. Gov’t orders cell towers removed Development Control Authority had already issued a stop order on the erection of the cell tower. Additionally, Cabinet has ordered the removal of the cell tower and that it must be cited where it will no longer poses a threat to homeowners. “”It appears as though the company involved had already placed transformers on this tower, now they have to remove all the items,” Hurst said. He said there are 29 cell towers scattered across Antigua many of which are located in populated areas and thus pose a threat to humans. There are links between the presence of cell towers and a higher incidence of cancer.
Thursday 8th September 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 3 Fire victim’s body returns home The body of one of the victims from the fire that occurred in Jennings returned to Antigua on Tuesday (yesterday) from Guadeloupe via a regional security service airline. At approximately 1pm on Tuesday, the body of Nurse Gayan Williams arrived at the V C Bird International Airport and was met on the tarmac by her sister Nicole Williams, her Fiancé` Eddy Prince, one of Prince’s brothers, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and the Environment Walter Christopher and other officials from the Ministry. The coffin carrying the remains of Williams was then offloaded and taken to Barnes Funeral Home on New Gate Street under escort from the Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force. Williams and her three year old son Jayden Prince succumbed to injuries sustained in an early morning blaze at their Jennings home in late August. Reports are that Nurse Williams and her Fiancé` were at home with their three children when they were awaken by the inferno but upon making their way through the living room, Williams and young Jayden Prince sustained second degree burns. Her Fiancé` and the other two children sustained minor injuries and were treated at the Mount St John Medical Centre. Whereas Williams was flown to Guadeloupe via MedEvac Helicopter Services, young Prince was taken to the Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique, where he passed away two days after his mom. His remains are due back on the island between Thursday and Friday. The Board, Management and Staff of the Antigua & Barbuda Social Security extend our sincerest condolences to the family of the late Prince Alfred Hurst. As you go through this time of bereavement, may you find comfort in God’s grace.
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Caribbean Times 88th Issue - Thursday 8th September 2016

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