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Opening of the New Law Year 2017-2018

law year
Wednesday, 20th September 2017 signals the commencement of the New Law Year for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. The occasion will be marked with the usual Ceremonial Opening, in the form of a Special Sitting of the Court.
The proceedings will commence with a Church Service at the Methodist Church, St. George’s starting at 8:30 a.m. followed by a procession to the High Court of Justice where the Special Sitting of the Court will be held.
In light of the passage of Hurricane Irma and its devastating impact on some of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court’s Member States and Territories, Her Ladyship, the Hon. Dame Janice M. Pereira, DBE, Chief Justice will not be delivering her usual State of the Court address via simulcast to mark the opening of the 2017/2018 Law Year from the Special Sitting of the Court in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Instead, Her Ladyship will give brief remarks in solidarity with those Member States and Territories affected by this catastrophic event. Her Ladyship urges the Bar to join the Court in lending their support to those affected Member States and Territories at this time.
The public is encouraged to participate in this significant event, by attending the High Court in their individual Member State or Territory.

Dominica makes first Shipment to hurricane stricken islands

Aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Tortola, BVIs

Dominica has made its first shipment to the countries which were battered by Hurricane Irma.

On Monday, the Hon Prime Minister, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit held a Press Conference to update the nation on his visit to Anguilla, Tortola and Antigua.
At that press conference, the Nation’s Leader made a commitment to send relief supplies to these islands.
On Tuesday, he delivered on this promise when four containers left the island for both Dutch and French St Martin and Anguilla.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, the Hon Minister for National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore, recalled that St. Martin was one of the first countries to assist Dominica after the passage of Tropical Storm Erika in 2015 and he was pleased that Dominica could return the favour.
“I think we are very much honoured to be lending support to these countries in a terrible time of need,” he said.
Hon Blackmoore commended the staff of the Office of Disaster Management, the driving force behind this humanitarian effort.
He also took the opportunity to thank the private sector for working collaboratively with Government by contributing non-perishable items.
On Wednesday, a mixed container was shipped to Tortola and is expected to arrive by this weekend.
Disaster Management Consultant, Cecil Shillingford, says next week family members wishing to send relief supplies to their family overseas will be able to do so.
“We are going to begin to receive water and food stuff from the general public; people who want to send (supplies) to their relatives and friends in the stricken countries, they can box them properly, label them with large labelling (bold print) and they can deliver it to the DEXIA pack house at the back of AID Bank,” he explained.
It is expected that by next week Monday people can begin to bring in relief supplies and packages for their families.
An account was established at the National Bank of Dominica for anyone wishing to make a financial contribution. The account number is 615000493.

Sexual harassment bill debate soon

Sexual Harassment
sexual harassment note pinned on the bulletin board

When Parliament resumes from its summer recess, one of the items expected to be on the Order Paper will be the Employment Sexual Harassment Bill.

Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo expressed optimism of an early debate on the Bill during a recent interview with the Barbados Government Information Service. She said the Bill had been certified by the Attorney General’s office and approved by the Cabinet for debate in Parliament.
Senator Byer Suckoo explained that the Employment Safety and Health Bill defines what is sexual harassment and outlines how workers both male and female, are protected from any sort of sexual harassment in the workplace including sexual advances that are made physically, verbally or electronically via text messages and pictures via WhatsApp.
She said the Legislation outlines the steps employees can take when this type of harassment is encountered on the job.  “If that [sexual harassment] is happening in the workplace it sets out how it is to be dealt with in the workplace. If nothing has happened after you have spoken to your supervisor, you can take your complaint to the next level.  Employees can even come to the Labour Department, or the Employment Rights Tribunal (ERT). The ERT is empowered to hear matters dealing with the sexual harassment…” Senator Byer Suckoo pointed out.
The Minister further noted that the Bill addressed situations where workers were demoted or denied a promotion or other opportunities for advancement on account of failure to accept sexual advances – a form of sexual harassment.
Senator Byer Suckoo added that the Legislation was gender neutral which meant that it “does not only speak to male-on-female harassment.  It does not presuppose that it is a male harassing a female but speaks to a male or female perpetrator and a male or female victim”.

Regional approach to oil & gas exploration

Oil & Gas Exploration
Minister with responsibility for Energy in Barbados, Senator Darcy Boyce, has  suggested a regional approach to the issues related to offshore oil and gas exploration in the Caribbean.
Speaking at the opening of a capacity building workshop last Tuesday, sponsored by the Trinidad and Tobago Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (TTETI) and the British High Commission, Senator Boyce stressed the importance of sharing experiences and moving to a position where there was a lot more regional collaboration in respect of the legislation and the regulations which were put in place.
“We are part of a CARICOM Single Market and Economy and therefore we all have the same interest in local content arising out of the oil and gas industry to make sure that the benefits remain in fair measure within this region, that it creates opportunity for other investment, opportunities for training, employment and skills development for our people,” he maintained.
The Energy Minister noted that as the industry developed, the region was also going to be sharing a lot of the risks and therefore collaboration would be necessary in areas such as risk assessment, risk management, disaster management planning and disaster recovery.
Licensing was another area worthy of a regional approach, Senator Boyce suggested, along with structures on taxation which, he explained would bring some level of standardisation.
He told his audience: “It seems to me that we have an opportunity now, since many of us have not yet started in the offshore oil and gas business, to treat the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea around us as a single and special space so that we minimise the risks associated with having several wells, many of them close together; so that we create greater efficiencies for those companies that get licences; and therefore put us in a position to negotiate harder and better for our countries.”
In this regard, he said, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) would be useful in structuring the Memoranda of Understanding that would have to be developed between the islands so that everyone could share equally in the offshore oil and gas industry.

Antigua: A stable fiscal outlook in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma

Relief Supply To Hurricane Stricken Islands

Ministry of Finance forecasts a stable fiscal outlook in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

Tuesday 5th September, 2017 saw the passage of the most powerful tropical system on record when Category 5 Hurricane Irma unleashed its wrath on the Northern Leeward Islands including Antigua and Barbuda.
In the wake of this natural disaster, the Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Honourable Gaston Browne, declared the country’s commitment to the full recovery and restoration of the Sister Isle.
Apart from private donations, official support has been promised and in some instances already received from: the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB); Caribbean Development Bank (CDB); International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank); Organization of American States (OAS); and Caribbean Catastrophic Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) among others. Bi-lateral support has also been promised and expected from a number of countries.
The Ministry estimates that over the next 2 – 4 months these sources could yield conservatively up to US$50 million towards the Barbuda recovery. This will address the immediate cash flow needs and budgetary requirements associated with restoring essential services to Barbuda.
We anticipate that in the medium term upwards of US$50 million more should be negotiated, thus moderating any volatility in the fiscal operations of the government.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has scheduled six auctions to take place on the Regional Government Securities Market (RGSM) between 20th September and 4th December, 2017. We wish to remind investors of our stellar record in meeting our RGSM obligations and to allay any concerns of our capacity to continue meeting our commitments. Antigua and Barbuda Treasury Bills, Notes and Bonds remain attractive and viable options for investment and we wish to thank investors for their continued loyalty and support.
The Honourable Prime Minister extends heartfelt thanks to individuals, private entities, development partners, and friendly countries and Institutions which have in any form offered and extended their support. Appreciation is also extended to investors, who continue to demonstrate confidence in the economy of Antigua and Barbuda.

ECCB Connects – Public Outreach Series

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) Connects – Public Outreach Series.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, as part of its regular public outreach series ‘ECCB Connects’, is proud to present an introductory insight into the experiences of its Internship Program 2017.

Early Learners Programme to be launched in Grenada

ELP-launch

Early Learners Programme to be launched in Grenada on September 15th.

The new OECS-USAID Early Learners Programme will be officially launched in Grenada on September 15, 2017.

WHAT
The new OECS-USAID Early Learners Programme will be officially launched in Grenada before being implemented in 6 participating OECS Member States: Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
WHO
Government representatives and education professionals will attend the official launch of ELP in Grenada on September 15th 2017. Among them:

  • Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS Commission
  • Her Excellency Linda Taglialatela, US Ambassador for the Eastern Caribbean
  • Hon. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada
  • Hon. Anthony Boatswain, Minister of Education of Grenada
  • Other officials from the Ministry of Education

WHY
40% of Eastern Caribbean students at the early grades are under-performing in English Language. OECS and USAID aim at reversing those statistics and partner to improve the reading achievement levels of all learners from Grade K to Grade through the Early Learners Programme (ELP).
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
The media houses in various OECS Member States
WHEN
September 15 from 3:00 P.M to 4:30PM
WHERE
The official launch of the Early Learners Programme will be held at Radisson Grenada Beach Resort.
MEDIA CONTACTS 
Oliver Insanally
Communications Consultant
opiconsultancies@gmail.com
Natalie Johnson 
Project Coordinator, Early Learners Programme
njohnson@oecs.org
 

Message from BVI following Hurricane Irma

BVI

BVI PremierMessage from the Premier of the British Virgin Islands following Hurricane Irma’s impact.

“The world is now aware of the destruction caused in the BVI by Hurricane Irma, a record category 5 hurricane. Like all of us, I am heartbroken by the loss of homes and businesses but above all the loss of life the hurricane has wrought.

We are a resilient people but this has shaken us to our core.

However, I want to reassure people that whilst the situation across our islands is critical and will remain so in the coming weeks, firm steps have been taken to alleviate some of the immediate pressures. The arrival of the RFA Mounts Bay together with air support has brought in significant assistance from the UK including marines and engineers as well as medical support, food and other supplies.  This means we can start the process of getting the territory secured; assess how to bring power and water back online and improve access and communications to the BVI.
While the immediate focus is on these humanitarian needs we will also turn attention to our economy. The damage to the territory has been widespread but it has not been total.  Some offices belonging to the business and finance sector survived as did the Financial Services Commission which houses other services such as the corporate registry.
We have already started working with the private sector to ensure the business and financial services sector is able to function in good time. Many overseas offices have come together to support the BVI and work out the best way of continuing to provide vital business services remotely until the BVI is in a position to bring them substantively back on Island.  We are incredibly grateful for the contribution they are making and the efforts being made to help this part of the BVI economy get back on its feet.
Tourism is of course much more dependent on facilities in the BVI and it will take time for us to be in a position to welcome tourists again.  However, we are in close touch with our partners in the cruise and hotel industry and of course our tourism colleagues based overseas.  We will continue to provide updates as we move forwards.
Having said this, rebuilding an entire territory is no small undertaking.
A comprehensive economic package for reconstruction backed by the UK Government will be needed over the long-term in order to return to normalcy. Yet I have every confidence that through the resilience of the people of the BVI and the support of our British partners we will achieve this. I look forward to hearing more from the UK Government about its plans for working with us to ensure this happens in timely fashion.
I also have a message for those observing from overseas. Whilst the BVI has been severely impacted over the last few days, we will bounce back. We are a proud nation.  We may be momentarily down, but we are certainly not out.”

WCMF Silver Sponsor – DBS Radio

World Creole Music Festival - WCMF
TWCMF Silver Sponsor - DBS Radio 1he Dominica Broadcasting Corporation, DBS radio, has come on board as a silver sponsor of this year’s World Creole Music Festival. This was announced during a WCMF press briefing on Wednesday.
Acting General Manager of DBS Radio, Curtis Matthew, revealed that the corporation will be donating $30,000 in kind towards the staging of the event.
DBS will promote the event as well as provide live broadcast of the three nights of pulsating rhythms.
At the press conference, sponsor and local company Pirates Limited, also made a significant contribution of $10,000 to the DFC.
Other partners include the Government of Dominica which has contributed $1.78 million, the Discover Dominica Authority, Digicel, J.Astaphans and Company Ltd, Depex Colour Lab and Fine Foods Ltd among others.
The three nights of pulsating rhythms is carded for October 27th to 29th.

Government recognises those involved in Golden Jubilee

Barbados 50th Anniversary of Independence - Golden Jubilee

It seems that those Barbadians who contributed to this country’s 50th Anniversary of Independence will have their names written on history’s page.

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart disclosed that Government would fittingly try to immortalise their contribution to last year’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. “It is my intention that all of the names associated with the celebration of our Golden Jubilee make their way into the Barbados Museum and into the Archives of Barbados,” he said.
Mr. Stuart made the comments recently during an Evening of Appreciation at Ilaro Court, where several persons received certificates for their hard work during the 50th Anniversary of Independence celebrations.
He thanked all for making the celebrations a success, saying: “We could all feel proud as a nation, that we were able to run one year of celebrations, not in extravagant and meaningless jollification, but in a manner of sober reflection… We looked at where our nation had come from, where it was 50 years later, and of course we took a look at where we want it to go.”
The Prime Minister said after seeing a montage earlier in the evening, highlighting several of the activities undertaken during the year, he felt overwhelmed and intimidated.  “I can’t believe that we did all of those things and we did them as well as we did,” he stated.
Chairman of the 50th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations Coordinating Committee, Senator Maxine McClean, said the challenges during the year served to showcase Barbados’ capacity to be creative, resilient and resolute.
Senator McClean added that it was an excellent idea to observe 50 years of Independence and stressed that including the diaspora allowed Government to capture Barbados in its totality.
During the evening, Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), Dr. Don Marshall, presented Prime Minister Stuart with the Barbados At 50: The National Values Assessment 2016 Study.

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