CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP
Antigua
The cash-strapped Antigua-based
regional airline LIAT says that despite
workers agreeing to a six percent salary
cut, the airline is still facing a severe
financial problem and may require additional
salary cuts from its employees.
Pilots and workers across all its destinations
had agreed to a six percent
cut recently.
But the airline said that the six
percent cut did not go
far enough and that
the six percent did not
meet the immediate
cost reduction objectives
of the company at this time.
The shareholder governments of the
airline are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados,
Dominica and St. Vincent and
the Grenadines have been seeking to
get other Caribbean governments to
contribute a total of US$5.4 million in
emergency funding to keep the airline
in the sky.
At the same time 11 destinations
had until March 15, to respond to the
airline’s minimal revenue guarantee
(MRG) proposals.
Under the MRG model, it is likely
that a few flights may be cut if governments
are not prepared to fund them
with a guarantee.
Trade unions representing the airline’s
workers at its 15 destinations
recently held a meeting in Barbados
with Prime Minister, Mia Mottley and
her counterpart St. Vincent and the
Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph
Gonsalves and it was agreed in principle
to a six percent salary cut, pending further
talks with their members.
Barbados
A total of 32 firearms and 1,758
rounds of ammunition were turned in
during the Barbados
one-week gun amnesty.
This was revealed
by Commissioner of
Police, Tyrone Griffith who said the
haul comprised of mainly small firearms.
He said any firearms and ammunition
that are taken off the streets give
less potential for someone to be injured
as a result.
Attorney General, Dale Marshall said
eight guns and 873 bullets were turned
in — the majority belonged to people
who died.
He said if people did not take advantage
of the opportunity to turn in the
guns, no leniency would be shown to
those caught with weapons.
To date, Barbados has had 20 murders
for the year, most of them by firearms.
There has been a public outcry to
address the issue.
Updated daily at www.caribbeanlifenews.com
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves represents one of LIAT shareholders. Associated Press
Caribbean
The European Union (EU) is providing
Euro 114.8 million (US$148 million)
to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
for various projects including the
strengthening of the regional movement.
Six agreements were recently signed
by CARICOM Secretary
General, Edwin
La Rocque with the
EU’s Commissioner in
charge of International
Cooperation and Development in the
European Commission, Neven Mimica.
Under the agreement, the EU will
provide Euro 13.5 million towards
strengthening the framework for CARICOM
integration, Euro 21 million to
support Caribbean Forum (Cariforum)
states in furthering the implementation
of their Economic Partnership Agreement
(EPA) commitments as well as
Euro 50 million towards the Caribbean
Investment Facility.
In addition, the Coconut Industry
Development Expansion and Enhanced
Support for the Caribbean will benefit
from six million Euros, while Euro 14
million will support the Effectiveness of
Criminal Justice Systems in the Caribbean.
Caribbean L 4 ife, April 26–May 2, 2019 BQ
Director General of the Organization
of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Dr.
Didacus Jules, signed an agreement for
Euro 10.3 million that will be used for
promoting regional integration in the
sub-region.
Mimica told the signing ceremony
that the agreements are a testimony to
the commitment of both the EU and
CARICOM / Cariforum to the importance
of regional cooperation and integration
as a means to address the enormous
challenges faced by this region.
Guyana
The governments of Guyana and the
United States are working together to
prepare for the release
and deportation of
convicted Guyanese
drug lord, Shaheed
Roger Khan.
Khan, is scheduled to be released
from a US Prison in July, after serving
a 10-year jail sentence for drug trafficking
and conspiracy.
US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-
Ann Lynch during a radio interview
said the US is working very closely with
Guyanese authorities on ensuring that
the arrival is smooth as possible and so
the best thing “we can do is to continue
to collaborate and share information
and work together.”
The convicted drug lord, before his
arrest in Suriname and extradition
from Trinidad and Tobago, had admitted
to leading a death squad in Guyana
that is believed to be responsible for the
murders and the execution of suspected
criminals.
He also admitted that he offered
security support to the then People’s
Progressive Party PPP) civic government.
On his return to Guyana, it is likely
that Khan could face a wide range of
criminal offences.
Grenada
Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell
says that at least 400 Grenadians will be
employed when the rebranded Royalton
Grenada hotel opens in December.
Mitchell recently
met with Sunwing’s
Hotels and Resorts
executive vice-president
Daniel Diaz to
discuss the hotel that was formerly
known as the Grenadian Rex.
He said projects like this will create
significant employment opportunities
Continued on Page 14
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THE NEWS FROM BACK HOME
LIAT struggles to keep flying
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