Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Vijf-jarig overeenkomst Atompai van ruim SRD 95.000 per maand boven water

    Vijf-jarig overeenkomst Atompai van ruim SRD 95.000 per maand boven water

    A significant contractual agreement has surfaced involving Monché Atompai, Director of the Milk Central, who previously denied any formal arrangement with the State Health Fund (SZF). Despite his categorical denial to Starnieuws media outlet, documentation reveals SZF Director Rudrakanth Oemraw formalized a five-year advisory contract with Atompai on February 1, 2026.

    The contract establishes Atompai as an external consultant rather than a formal employee, operating under a assignment agreement framework within Suriname’s Civil Code. His advisory responsibilities encompass policy and organizational consultation, analytical reporting, guidance for improvement initiatives, and specialized advisory services within SZF’s operational scope.

    Notably, the agreement permits a minimum weekly commitment of 96 hours, adjustable according to SZF’s requirements through mutual consultation. Work may be conducted either at SZF premises or alternative locations, with strict adherence to confidentiality and information security protocols.

    Financial terms reveal a substantial monthly compensation of SRD 95,856 (approximately $7,200 USD) excluding taxes, with invoicing occurring monthly based on pre-approved timesheets. Payment follows within fourteen days of invoice approval. Travel and additional expenses require prior written authorization for reimbursement.

    The contract stipulates that all reports, analyses, and advisory outputs become SZF property upon payment completion. A confidentiality clause remains effective during and for one year post-contract termination.

    Termination provisions include mutual agreement, one-month notice period, or immediate termination for urgent reasons or substantial breach. When recently contacted for comment, Atompai declined to respond, stating he was “unavailable at this moment” to Starnieuws.

  • Hillaby Turner’s Hall closes early due to smoke

    Hillaby Turner’s Hall closes early due to smoke

    Turner’s Hall educational institution in Hillaby initiated an unscheduled early closure this Tuesday, February 24th, following environmental safety concerns arising from smoke infiltration originating from a blaze in adjacent eastern territories. The Ministry of Education Transformation executed this protective measure after atmospheric monitoring confirmed diminishing air quality conditions within the school’s perimeter. Official communications confirmed that parental and guardian networks will receive prompt notifications regarding resumption protocols and academic schedule adjustments. Ministry representatives extended formal gratitude to families for their cooperative response and demonstrated understanding during this unforeseen operational interruption, emphasizing that student welfare remains the paramount consideration in all environmental health decisions. Local emergency services continue containment operations for the peripheral fire incident while educational authorities maintain vigilant air quality assessment ahead of potential campus reactivation.

  • Local Girl Guides urge past and present members to don uniform for Guide Day

    Local Girl Guides urge past and present members to don uniform for Guide Day

    The Girl Guides Association of Dominica (GGAD) has issued a nationwide call to action, urging current members and alumni alike to participate in an island-wide demonstration of unity this Thursday. The event, designated as Guide Day, represents a significant mobilization of the Guiding community across the Caribbean nation.

    According to the official announcement, participants are encouraged to wear their complete traditional uniforms or alternative Guide T-shirts throughout the day—whether attending workplaces, educational institutions, or conducting daily activities. This sartorial demonstration aims to create visible solidarity across Dominica while honoring the historical significance of World Thinking Day within the national context.

    The association emphasizes the timeless guiding principle of “Once a Guide, always a Guide” as foundational to the event’s philosophy. Beyond sartorial participation, the organization encourages digital engagement through social media sharing. Participants are invited to photograph themselves in uniform and post using the dedicated hashtag #GGADGuideDay, creating a digital archive of collective participation.

    The visual transformation of Dominica into “a sea of blue and brown”—referencing the organization’s signature colors—serves as both metaphorical and literal representation of unity. This chromatic demonstration seeks to visually reinforce the organization’s presence and values across the island’s diverse landscapes.

    This coordinated effort simultaneously serves multiple purposes: demonstrating organizational solidarity, commemorating international Guiding traditions, and inspiring future generations of community leaders through visible representation of Guiding principles in daily life.

  • Former Jumby Bay Payroll Clerk Files Unfair Dismissal Claim Over Christmas Pay Error

    Former Jumby Bay Payroll Clerk Files Unfair Dismissal Claim Over Christmas Pay Error

    A former payroll specialist at Jumby Bay Resort Ltd has initiated legal proceedings in the Industrial Court, claiming wrongful termination and reputational harm following a payroll miscalculation during the peak 2024 holiday season. The complainant, an eleven-year veteran of the luxury establishment, had advanced from Accounts Payable Clerk to Junior Accountant before assuming payroll responsibilities in May 2024.

    The controversy emerged when several staff members reported missing overtime compensation and allowances in their December 2024 earnings. During this period of heightened operational demands, the payroll clerk allegedly received instructions from management to circumvent standard verification protocols and submit payroll data directly to senior executives. The payroll received subsequent approval from both the Director of Human Resources and the Director of Finance before bank processing.

    An internal audit later identified a computational error within the payroll software as the root cause. All impacted employees received full restitution in the subsequent payment cycle, with all financial shortfalls rectified at least thirty days prior to the clerk’s dismissal.

    Despite the prompt resolution and absence of fraudulent intent, the resort suspended the employee without pay—a decision later revoked—before conducting disciplinary hearings in February 2025. The meetings culminated in immediate termination without severance packages or corrective measures.

    Legal representatives from W.G. Alexander & Associates argue their client derived no personal benefit from the incident and note that no disciplinary measures were applied to the senior managers who authorized the flawed payroll. The filing further contends that defamatory rumors implying financial misconduct circulated unchecked among staff, with management failing to issue clarifying statements to protect the employee’s professional reputation.

  • Mottley signals action on ‘unsustainable’ vehicle growth

    Mottley signals action on ‘unsustainable’ vehicle growth

    Barbados is initiating a comprehensive national dialogue to confront its escalating traffic congestion crisis, with Prime Minister Mia Mottley declaring the current rate of vehicle growth “unsustainable” for the island nation. The announcement came during Monday’s ceremony renaming the St Patrick’s roundabout in honor of former Christ Church East MP Sir Richard Cheltenham, where the continuous flow of traffic throughout the event served as a stark demonstration of the problem’s urgency.

    Prime Minister Mottley revealed startling statistics showing Barbados’s vehicle population has surged from approximately 40,000 fifty years ago to about 180,000 today—a transformation she described as dramatically changing the country’s landscape. “I don’t think a single minute has passed without traffic approaching the roundabout,” Mottley observed during the ceremony, using the moment to highlight the critical need for intervention.

    The upcoming consultations will create platforms for citizens from all backgrounds to contribute to developing long-term solutions as Barbados grapples with its overburdened road network. Mottley emphasized that while infrastructure improvements like road widening and overpasses will form part of the strategy, the challenge requires more fundamental changes to how Barbadian society and economy are structured.

    Central to this discussion will be reimagining public transportation, which the Prime Minister stated “cannot be a luxury, but must be a basic right if this country is to function efficiently.” The government’s approach recognizes that physical expansion alone cannot solve the congestion problem and that broader systemic changes are necessary for sustainable transportation solutions.

  • Kalinago council proposes permit requirement for entry into Territory

    Kalinago council proposes permit requirement for entry into Territory

    The Kalinago Council has announced the development of a groundbreaking permit system designed to regulate access and activities within the Kalinago Territory by non-community members. This strategic initiative represents a significant step toward reinforcing indigenous sovereignty and preserving cultural integrity in the Caribbean region.

    Under the proposed regulatory framework, all external visitors seeking to enter or reside within the territory must obtain formal authorization from the Kalinago governing body. The council clarified that this measure forms part of a comprehensive strategy to assert the Kalinago people’s inherent rights as traditional guardians of their ancestral lands.

    Council representatives emphasized that the system aims to create a balanced approach that welcomes constructive engagement while ensuring environmental protection and cultural preservation. “Our primary objective centers on protection rather than exclusion,” a council spokesperson noted. “We maintain an open stance toward respectful interaction but must simultaneously guarantee that our community’s welfare, security, and ecological resources remain uncompromised.”

    The forthcoming regulations will establish clear guidelines governing entry procedures, duration of stays, and approved activities within the territory. Notably, the system will incorporate streamlined processes for educational programs, research initiatives, and collaborative ventures that align with Kalinago cultural principles and comply with the provisions of the Kalinago Act.

    The council is actively engaging community members and stakeholders throughout the policy development phase, encouraging participatory dialogue as the implementation timeline progresses. This consultative approach reflects the administration’s commitment to transparent governance and community-centered decision-making.

  • Ciceron man shot dead; Police pursuing suspects

    Ciceron man shot dead; Police pursuing suspects

    Saint Lucian authorities have intensified investigations into a lethal Friday night shooting in Ciceron that claimed the life of a 25-year-old man, marking the island’s tenth homicide this year. Police have confirmed three individuals are currently in custody while actively pursuing at least two additional suspects linked to the violent incident.

    Emergency response teams from the Saint Lucia Fire Service were dispatched to the scene shortly before 10 p.m. on February 21, 2026, following reports of gunfire. First responders discovered an adult male victim lying face down in a drainage channel with no detectable vital signs. Despite immediate life-saving interventions and rapid transportation to a medical facility, the victim was subsequently pronounced dead.

    The deceased has been formally identified as Givanni Andrew Joseph, a resident of Ciceron, Castries. The investigation remains ongoing with multiple persons of interest being questioned.

    Assistant Commissioner of Police Luke Defreitas provided updates during a media briefing, stating: “As we speak, three persons are in custody assisting with this investigation, and the police are pursuing a further two suspects that we hope to have in custody by later today.” Senior officers from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force emphasized their commitment to resolving this case amid growing concerns about violent crime on the island.

  • BCWJ to Reactivate Protests Over BTL Severance

    BCWJ to Reactivate Protests Over BTL Severance

    A critical labor negotiation between the Belize Communication Workers for Justice (BCWJ) and Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) executives has collapsed, prompting union leaders to prepare for renewed demonstrations. The breakdown occurred during a Monday meeting facilitated by the Labour Department, where telecommunications company representatives unexpectedly reversed their position on severance packages.

    The central point of contention emerged when BTL management indicated they would disburse severance payments without including previously discussed interest components. This policy shift has infuriated former employees who consider the development a significant regression in negotiations. Union representatives now question whether company executives are negotiating with genuine intent to resolve the longstanding dispute.

    Emily Turner, a spokesperson for the affected workers, stated that the membership collectively mandates securing a 6% interest rate on severance packages and prefers avoiding legal recourse. However, she emphasized that the company’s recent position undermines progress made through previous discussions. The BCWJ has formally requested an audience with BTL’s full board of directors, arguing that key decision-makers remain unaware of the agreement’s contextual background.

    Labour Senator Glenfield Dennison, who attended the mediation session, observed that BTL’s leadership demonstrated noticeable inflexibility regarding the workers’ proposals. Senator Dennison further noted that company executives似乎 unaware of the escalating public relations implications surrounding their stance. He suggested BTL appears primarily focused on minimizing financial payouts rather than reaching an equitable resolution.

    The BCWJ has announced plans to intensify pressure through coordinated protests scheduled later this week, specifically targeting the company’s chairman. This labor action marks the latest development in an ongoing dispute concerning termination benefits for telecommunications workers in Belize.

  • ABDF Commissions First Officer Candidate Training Course Graduates

    ABDF Commissions First Officer Candidate Training Course Graduates

    The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) has marked a significant milestone in its operational history with the formal commissioning of graduates from its inaugural Officer Candidate Training Course. The ceremony, held at a military installation, represents a strategic advancement in the nation’s military professionalization efforts and leadership development pipeline.

    This pioneering training program was meticulously designed to cultivate a new generation of military officers equipped with advanced tactical knowledge, strategic decision-making capabilities, and exemplary leadership qualities. The comprehensive curriculum encompassed rigorous physical training, academic instruction in military science, and practical field exercises that tested candidates under simulated operational conditions.

    Defence officials emphasized that this initiative directly addresses critical capacity-building objectives within the national security architecture. The newly commissioned officers are expected to assume command positions across various ABDF units, bringing fresh perspectives and enhanced operational capabilities to the force.

    The graduation ceremony featured traditional military rituals including the presentation of commissions, ceremonial sword handovers, and the pinning of officer rank insignia. Senior military leaders highlighted the program’s role in strengthening national security preparedness while noting its alignment with broader Caribbean regional security cooperation frameworks.

    This development occurs within the context of ongoing professionalization efforts within Caribbean defence forces, with several regional nations observing the ABDF’s program as a potential model for their own officer development initiatives.

  • Flow Donates Samsung Galaxy A07 smartphone for Villa Primary School’s “Likkle Man Pelle” Black History Month Calypso Competition

    Flow Donates Samsung Galaxy A07 smartphone for Villa Primary School’s “Likkle Man Pelle” Black History Month Calypso Competition

    In a significant boost for cultural education and technological access, telecommunications provider Flow has made a strategic donation to Villa Primary School. The company contributed a Samsung Galaxy A07 smartphone to directly support the institution’s “Likkle Man Pelle” Black History Month Calypso Competition.

    This initiative transcends a simple hardware gift, representing a deeper investment in preserving and promoting cultural heritage among youth. The calypso competition, a cornerstone of the school’s Black History Month observances, utilizes music and performance to educate students on historical narratives and artistic traditions rooted in the African diaspora. The donated smartphone will serve as a critical tool for participants, likely enabling high-quality video recording of performances, audio capture for lyric composition, and digital research into calypso’s rich history.

    The partnership underscores a growing recognition by corporate entities of their role in supporting community-based educational projects. By providing modern technology, Flow empowers students to create, document, and share their work with greater professionalism and reach. This move not only enhances the immediate competition but also equips the school with a durable resource for future creative and academic projects, effectively bridging the digital divide at a grassroots level.

    Such collaborations highlight the evolving landscape of educational support, where technology acts as a catalyst for cultural expression rather than merely an academic tool. The donation is expected to elevate the quality of the competition and deepen student engagement with Black history through a contemporary, digitally-enabled lens.