The Caswell Franklyn Column – Why Political Parties Exist
BU shares the Caswell Franklyn Nation newspaper column – he is the General Secretary of Unity Workers Union and BU Contributor.
Caswell Franklyn, Head of Unity Workers Union
Recent developments in this country have convinced me beyond a shadow of a doubt […]
that the two major political parties have outlived their usefulness.
It would appear that the current incarnation of leaders of both organizations have somehow forgotten the reason for their formation and continued existence.
The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) was formed in 1938 with its stated mission of improving the social and economic conditions of the working class. The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) emerged in 1955 as a breakaway group from the BLP, led by the Right Excellent Errol Barrow. His pretext was that the BLP was not moving fast enough to address the plight of the working poor. In essence, both labour parties had one goal, and that was, as former Prime Minister Owen Arthur later summed it up: to stop poor people from being poor.
When both parties gained power, they set about putting legislation in place to improve the conditions of the working class. One such piece of legislation, the Shops Act, that was designed to protect the most exploited sector of the workforce, is now being repealed and replaced by a monied class friendly piece of legislation. It now appears that Government has succumbed to the pressure from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and others, thereby betraying shop assistants in the process.
In order to make the betrayal of workers palatable, Government has clothed their rhetoric in high-sounding nonsense about moving the country into the 21st century, and creating a 24/7 type society. After reading the 2015 Shops Bill and the reports from the House of Assembly, I am shocked that the Government could be so brazen as to pass legislation that would seriously disadvantage the working class and then try to make it appear beneficial to them. These workers earn, for the most part, $250 per week. This legislation would make it difficult for them to earn a little overtime pay.
Another troubling aspect is that shop assistants are mostly young women of childbearing age. Who will take care of their children when the mothers are working at nights? We know for sure that the owners of these businesses would be at home helping their children with SBAs. As far as government is concerned poor people don’t need to spend quality time with their families.
The Minister who piloted the bill cited examples where the legislation would improve the condition under which workers are employed. Amazingly, all the reported examples of “improved” conditions already exist in the old Shops Act. For example, he claimed that the new legislation would protect workers who are not of the Christian faith. That provision is found at section 6 (6) of the 1985 act. Below are other examples of “improved” conditions, cited by the Minister, and the sections of the old act where the identical provisions can be found:
· Provision of stools for workers – section 8 (1)
· One hour lunch breaks – section 6 (2)
· Provision of adequate water supply and first aid kits – section 10 (2)
The 2015 Shops Bill has put provisions in place to make the monied class richer while it seeks to disadvantage the poor shop assistants. That bill was debated when the Opposition was all embroiled in the Maria Agard saga which ensured that it got little scrutiny and judging from the reports, the Opposition was pitiful.
This brings me to the point where I believe that the Barbados Labour Party can shut shop. Last week the country witnessed the sorry spectacle of the expulsion of Dr. Maria Agard from that party. This was done amid claims that she was denied natural justice.
One of the basic tenets of natural justice is that an accused person is entitled to a fair hearing before an unbiased adjudicator. Bias does not have to be actual, the appearance of bias is sufficient to disqualify an adjudicator from hearing the case. No one in their right mind can tell me that there was no bias or no apparent bias among several of the persons hearing that case.
By denying natural justice to Dr. Agard, the BLP has given an insight into what a future BLP led administration would be capable of doing. It has shown in no uncertain terms that it is prepared to ignore the law to achieve its goals.
I have heard it said that a country deserves the government it gets. If that is so, I am left to wonder what the people of Barbados have done so wrong to deserve this Government and worse yet the government in waiting. Right now a third political party seems like the only option barring divine intervention.
Barbados Underground 
*unedited version
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On a related note, who has the update on the BIDC vs NUPW matter concerning the early retiring of 60 year olds?
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David & Caswell……excuse me for using this link to post this article, I do so because of all the political entanglements involved and the fact that some insurance companies involved believed themselves, until now, exempt from international scrutiny, regulation and some sense of honesty, I guess now they know differently.
The FSC, hope I got the right acronym, does not, in my opinion, do enough due diligence in reining in these unscrupulous politically connected insurance companies which begs Caswell’s question……”why political parties exist”………I want to know if one reason is to continually protect the unethical. Fortunately for the policyholders and claimants through IAIS, there is now a shift….ha!!
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/74761/keeping-insurance-industry-clean
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“U shares the Caswell Franklyn Nation newspaper column – he is the General Secretary of Unity Workers Union and BU Contributor.
Caswell Franklyn, Head of Unity Workers Union
Caswell Franklyn, Head of Unity Workers Union
Recent developments in this country have convinced me beyond a shadow of a doubt […]
that the two major political parties have outlived their usefulness.”
Over the years we have shared common thoughts on many matters particularly justice and fairness for those who do not have the wherewithal to pursue those courses of action. Glad you are on a page I have been promoting for some time now. However, I look to you to go further perhaps in assisting in fine tuning my thoughts again posted below
balance | 31/12/2013 at 1:42 pm | Reply
I have already posited on this forum that political parties have outlived their usefulness and to regain trust in our system of governance, the perception of accountability and transparency must be improved. To do this we have to take back Parliament from the politicians by having officials elected to parliament from the bowels of the constituencies to look after the interest of the constituents and not the party. Parliamentarians can be assigned certain responsibilities as members of various oversight committees or ministries selected from among the members of parliament. These oversight bodies suitably staffed by persons of varying disciplines would decide policy and forward to the technocrats in the relevant administrative departments for execution. In this way, it is hoped that the chances of parliamentarians getting involved in corruption would be limited if not fully eliminated and the characters of parliamentarians would not be open to abuse based on rumor and speculation… The various independent public service selection bodies would be restored to select persons for employment and to head the various government agencies. Appointments to such critical and important posts like the Chief Justice will be free of bias and gossip. There will be no need for a primus interpares. The role of meeting dignitaries and shaking hands can be assigned to the Speaker of the parliament or rotated on an annual basis among the parliamentarians. In this system, the role of the governor general and term limits for parliamentarians would eventually come under scrutiny.
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Balance
I accept that there is a need for parliamentary reform. However this essay is concerned about the present state of this dysfunctional political system where politicians introduce legislation to benefit an interest group and are not even honest enough to say so.
What the Government did by repealing and replacing the Shops Act could have been done with a few simple amendments to the old act. If they had done so, their nastiness would have been obvious for everyone to see. They opted to hide their true intent inside a new bill which mirrored the old act to a large extent.
It is obvious to me that the Government set out to disadvantage the small man in preference for those with money.
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The bigger story is that we have, on our 49th anniversary of independence, workers being paid 250BDS per week , which is 125USD. Now if I say that all of these workers are black everybody gine call me a racist.
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@David
Albert Brandford on Pg 21A of todays Sunday Sun has an interesting perspective on our local politics and the thinking behind the Agard situation.
Is it possible to put a link of that article on here to provide a balance?
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@Vincent
Interesting?
More like BS, and that is kind. https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/74980/albert-brandford-natural-justice-politics&ct=ga&cd=CAEYCSoSMTQ2OTg0MzIyNzI5OTI3NTQ5MhpmNmUxODM5NzYxNDQ4MzFlOmNvbTplbjpVUw&usg=AFQjCNGU3N8oWmDFpGRxhnLuc5xFH7rbeg
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@David
Thanks…….have responded to your BS comment on another blog.
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Well said Caswell
BUP…??
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well let/s close shop and go home. sir u can take over the whole shit and bottle,
A bill to extend working hours is deemed a bill that would infringe on the quality time of mothers of childbearing age,
in present day most young working mothers have to work because they preference to stay on home and have quality time with their children was taken away by wutless dad who rather not support the child.
the govt did not pass a bill to deny mothers quality time with their children ,quality time depends on the make up of Family with a dad Firstly in place to take on the bulk of the responsibility which gives the mother greater space to interact with the children day or night.
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@David at 8:01, is the BS related to the message or a bias towards the messenger?
Jeff spoke unequivocally of the mixed nature of the situation and Branford piece gave specific local political context that argues strongly against the legal side in Jeff’s thesis.
I suggest that Jeff’s remarks that any legal decision would likely return the situation to the status quo pre-dismissal but would not resolve the substantive claims actually validates Brandford’s assertion that the dictum of ‘natural justice’ is realistically out-of-reach or no more than a pyrrhic victory in circumstances such as this.
Play the ball David, not the man!
And please don’t invoke your ‘prim & proper or middle of the road’ mantra. This is the real world not a BU infused utopia.
The question from the outset has been ‘to what avail Agard’s legal appeal’. The best or only answer offered was ‘ an act of principle’.
If we are conducting a civics class, BU feel-good, or trying to establish our individual memorial on history’s page then that principle is super fantastic. In the REAL burly-burly of this pre-election political climate it is worth maybe a few cans of cornbeef.
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@de Ingrunt Word November 29, 2015 at 8:52 AM #
Well put…….
This will surely invoke the wrath of BT now.
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@ David
Dompey is no longer blogging for blogging’s sake …. so Dee Word has decided to fill the breech…. 🙂
A legal challenge is the RIGHT of any citizen …in response to perceived wrongs imposed on them by ANY alleged ‘higher authority’.
A SUCCESSFUL legal challenge could be step one in having the internal organs of the BLP re-examined, and quite possible the catalyst for a major shake-up of the governance of that shiite party – SOMETHING FOR WHICH MIA CALLED WHEN HER ASS WAS IN THE GRASS.
Of course DIW’s position (as always) is that ‘we can’t do anything…’ ; ‘it happens elsewhere….’ ; ‘it don’t make no sense anyway…’ ; …and Bushie talking shiiteeee ….
Dee word could REALLY try thinking first …before siding with the likes of Bradford … who is one of those jokers that seem to actually take our politicians seriously…..
…which says it all…
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@Bush Tea November 29, 2015 at 9:05 AM #
Wha wrong wid you dis mornin wid all dis lukewarm(chuckle) pap you bowling doa.
Political parties are a law unto themselves …..when will you get it?
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Mr Bush Tea, for some interesting reason you adore standing on rickety boxes while trying to reach to the top shelf…
My agreement with Branford as you put it, was based on the legal principle enunciated by the resident legal professor, Jeff Cumberbatch.
I agreed with the man’s main point as argued. I did not validate the man’s personal politics, lifestyle or such. Is that such an alien concept to you?
So sir, as duplicitous as I may consider Ms Mottley or look askance at Mr Stuart’s fecklessness I can still review their pronouncements or decisions and applaud when it makes sense….oh lawd, not saying this Ch CH West ting makes sense one way or other!
Anyhow, you love to stir the pot wid dis blogging thing so long ago I know to see your comments and pick what common-sense there is from them and disregard the continuous rant mantra.
It’s simple with you Bushie, you are smart and accomplished but you love to play the fool here on BU.
Remember now, you are the blogger who presented a 10-point plan which YOU,,,repeat Mr Bush Tea himself said was nothing more than an intellectual exercise (or words to that effect). And yet you still then propagated it as a realistic framework for political change,
My friend how does one fight with a fellow who can pull that off with such aplomb. You sir should really put that unerring conviction and experience into a treatise to compare with Nico M’s ‘The Prince’
You can contact me through David as I would love to be an assistant on that…only on that though.! LOL.
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@Dee Word
Another prim and proper view only this time it borders on the myopic. How do you know what is the objective of Agard? Why do you assume – like Shontelle Munroe-Knight in todays Sun – that Agard and her support people are clueless/ignorant? Brandford has framed his article in a political context, ONLY. Brandford like Wickham et al are talking heads of the political class. Some of us refuse to be ensnared by said class.
Let us see how it plays out.
On 29 November 2015 at 13:16, Barbados Underground wrote:
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@ David November 29, 2015 at 9:40 AM #
“Another prim and proper view only this time it borders on the myopic. How do you know what is the objective of Agard?
David, what happened to the news conference for last week Ms Agard promised to the Media?
Did it come off? She needs to strike while the political iron is hot. After this week and Xmas around the corner she is going to be yesterday’s news interesting only to those who love to research the archives.
Procrastination is the thief of Time.
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I particularly like William Skinner’s comment. I was a twenty year old shop steward of the supermarket division of the BWU reporting to the late Billy Straughn. While I do not recall the exact dollar figure that represented the wage of a shop assistant back then, I do recall catching the ire of management as they claimed that money was all I ever thought of or talked about. Take a look at the $250.00 paid to workers today. If you can, make the comparison of what was paid and the cost of living back then. Now take a cursory look at the quality of life for the average Barbadian back then and now. Has there been a marriage between wage increases and inflation? Not a single member of the upper echelons of Barbadian society sits in our parliament, yet their bidding is successfully done on a yearly basis. That there are still so many poor bajans prepared to jump to the defense of these white shadows/black sellouts is most frustrating. None has been as bold as this present crop in the placement of obstacles in the ”PATHWAY TO PROGRESS” yet they are still mentioned in the equation of a Barbados of tomorrow. We are indeed a strange people.
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@Miller
We are monitoring for the time just like you.
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For as long as I can remember certain members of the media print and electronic have allowed themselves to be used as test pilots. They fly these balloons to see where John Public is sitting on some given subject. Albert Branford is just being himself……..a life long BLP stooge. Forget them! The prints of a bitter, spiteful and venomous old politician turned puppeteer are all over this one. Barbadians need not worry too much for he that is down need fear no fall. A volcanic explosion down Roebuck Street may just result in a newly formed island.
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Some of us refuse to be ensnared by said class.
@David
Said Class has nothing to do with a logical posit,which is what Brandford has done.
It is interesting to note that once a label has been placed on a person,that person cannot present logical and cohesive arguments……….Only in Bim.
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@Vincent
Of course it does, he is a talking head of the political class. Any narrative from the like of Brandford will not take us forward to achieve the change we need.
On 29 November 2015 at 14:54, Barbados Underground wrote:
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@David November 29, 2015 at 10:56 AM #
Narrow and shortsighted view…….even a non working clock has the right time once a day……logic cannot be disputed.
Has this change been identified as I would love to know the new governance model.
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@Vincent
The talking heads from the establishment will not get us where we need to go. The end state you desire will be achieved through debate, it will not drop from the sky like manna from heaven (sorry for the example likely not to resonate with you).
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@David
It appears we are using two different languages to say some of the same things as we agree that the system of governance is not working as it was intended to so do.
Our point departure lies in the how…….
my suggestion is to look at what is wrong in the system presently and enforce or change laws to suit…….
yours is one I am yet to grasp,you keep saying change it and when I ask to what&how,I am not getting an answer or possibly I am not understanding you.
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@Vincent
Don’t place the cart before the horse, a big part of forcing change is to get key players to accept the existing isn’t working and we need to change, Therefore sensitizing key people about entering the change debate is as important.
On 29 November 2015 at 16:28, Barbados Underground wrote:
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@ Caswell Franklyn
sir, perhaps I need to be further convince as to how a third party will alter the attitude of those persons seeking political office these days?
The same sentiment was echoed when Washinton was crippled by gridlock, and then we saw the emerges of the Tea Party, which by all accounts, has further exacerbated the political process in Washington.
So tell me to what extent would a third party ameliorate the political porcess in Barbados, when we have persons seeking high office with the same corruptive attitude as they predecessors?
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Good question Dompey….. and it is not even christmas yet!!
TWO in one month? you like you doing something different fella…. 🙂
The character of a party is framed by its constitution, the party philosophy and its commitment to public service. The two existing parties have degenerated into gangs under the despotic rule of confirmed poppets, whose strings are firmly under the control of a set of albino shadowsthat are strictly interested in accumulating as many worldly goods for themselves as is possible during their lifetimes….’and frig the brass bowl people….’
A new party offers the opportunity for a NEW start ….with a philosophy of SERVICE to the TOTAL country; a constitution framed on transparency and integrity that SUPERSEDES any one person; and based on democratic principles that are driven by full disclosure and education of the peoples.
Any talk of changing the existing parties by internal pressure has been put to rest by the Maria Agard experience …and even if it wasn’t, we would NEVER win such a fight against the Bizzies, Maloneys and Jerkums of our world with their MILLIONS available to invest in buying radio stations, newspapers, politicians, lawyers and other available Judases who are willing to accept some pieces of silver to maintain the status quo
It is a NEW, different, party ….or we all die…
Bushie is betting on the latter.
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And also how would a third party strengthen the responsibilities of households who believe that they have a divine right to be dependent on government to tie their shoe laces .
The notion that govt should solve all social issues is what is keeping barbados in debt,
The fallout from an inexcusable actions fro the person who should be be chief provider of the household has now been passed on to taxpayers and supported by imbeciles with political axes thrown across their shoulders which they whipped out at any moment to decry govt actions instead of calling on those who have created the social imbalance for their proper use of responsibility towards their household. …ditto
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Brilliant stuff this article.This 24/7 is just nonsense.Just to victimize workers already in place. To find an excuse for mass importation of workers, extra regionally,with the supposed 24/7 society experience to fill the jobs,calling it good economics and relevancy. Or Bajans will be further accused of being backward,racist and xenophobic.This government is a pack of fools.
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@Caswell
What is the message the Nation people sending here?
@Vincent > > Of course it does, he is a talking head of the political class. Any > narrative from the like of Brandford will not take us forward to achieve > the change we need. > > On 29 November 2015 at 14:54, Barbados Underground comment-reply@wordpress.com > > wrote: > >>
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AC
I can’t help but to agree with you that the entitlement-mentality is part and parcel the reason why the government here is also faced with some financial difficulty.
It is a mentality that poor people throughout the region of the Caribbean need to abandon because it has and continues to be the fundamental reason government continues to undermine their confidence.
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When you think you heard it all
Now govt reshuffle the deck to give a life raft for the unemployed and some duffus declares the workers are being Victimize Lord have merci
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@Caswell
It is clear this government is being heavily influenced by an interest in the private sector. It looks like gearing for the next general election a relatively short period away.
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@Vincent , you surely realize that @David is at the core a decent and righteous fellow who like all of us become afflicted with the same sinus, eyesight and other foibles of life as we age.
So this avant-garde activist who is the leader of a most excellent Bajan ‘Tiananmen Square’ that today provides the bandwidth for strong vocal protest but tomorrow could be seen as the origin of serious people power has also become a voice that dismisses good advice because it comes from an ‘affected’ source.
Were the opinions of those considered rabidly affected with the dirt of poverty, limited education blah blah not too dismissed!
Some person wiser than I said to keep friend close and enemies closer….so in a verbal context if Branford is the enemy one should most assuredly read, understand and use any nuggets of sense he offers. Keeping him closer!!
But I love David’s verve so I give him a pass for such obvious comments lacking in the insight that brought him to where he is today. Happens to all of us.
@David…all good. As you know, prim & proper me!!!!
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@Dee Word
Since the time Albert was hurried out of parliament he never recovered, he has allowed himself to become a puppet of the political class. Sorry, no time for talking heads of the political class.All the time for freash ideas though.
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David
I don’t know what message the Nation is sending but the message that is being received is that whenever the BWU draws a line, the employers step over and the union draws a new line.
Sent from my iPad
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@ SuckaBubby November 29, 2015 at 1:25 PM
“This 24/7 is just nonsense.Just to victimize workers already in place.”
How can you have a 24/7 economy when the public transport system is decrepit and woefully unreliable? What can one expect other than an increase in robberies, muggings and rape as workers try to fend for themselves in journeying to and from work?
Fix the public transport system and then talk about 24/7 economy unless you plan to ensure every worker has a motor car.
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A 24/7 economy is not just defined by a domestic framework, We are always turned on with the Internet.
On 29 November 2015 at 20:59, Barbados Underground wrote:
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@ David November 29, 2015 at 5:00 PM
“A 24/7 economy is not just defined by a domestic framework, We are always turned on with the Internet.”
True but on-line activities still ‘at the end of the day’ cannot feed or clothe you or transport you to entertainment venues. The Internet still requires the physical interaction of real human actors; even if some robots do masquerade as such.
Fix the public transport system even if it means financially penalizing the private car owners.
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@de Ingrunt Word November 29, 2015 at 4:41 PM #
Yes he appears to have the verve of youth,who abhor the truths of history until too late.
I think David should listen to the Desiderrata again,especially the bit about the “dull……..” every one has something to contribute…..even zoe and ac.
Two statements of his that have me perplexed:
-a big part of forcing change is to get key players to accept the existing isn’t working and we need to change-
If it is working for them why change it?
-Sorry, no time for talking heads of the political class.All the time for freash ideas
though-
I thought fresh ideas can come from anyone and who will implement them?
You may be able to explain them as I would say you are closer to his age than me.
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Barbados could be 24/7 like India and the Phillipines.
http://business.financialpost.com/news/sears-canada-layoffs-india
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@VH
Even the dull and ignorant…. a wise man once said t
sounding intelligent does not make one intelligent
Think on those things
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@Vincent, the blogmaster will have to clarify his brief remarks. Like you I have made some assumptions but you know how that goes.
The good things though is that the first comment re “a big part of forcing change is to get key players to accept the existing isn’t working and we need to change” sounds like an Alcoholics Anon pitch so we can make some salient interpretations based on the details one reads of that organization.
So with that in mind the question I presume would be how can the electorate help the politicians face the reality of their addiction to political alcoholic beverages and get them on the wagon far away from the beverages.
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Vincent Haynes you are that type of bajan who keep your head stuck high in the air and on rare ocassion look downward out of curiosity.
Even your language has an snobbish bite of intellectualism showmanship of a better than
When last have u hang out on the block play a game of dominoes in the back shop
Most likely BU is as far out in the block that you would go or be seen and that is a rarity.
By the way next time we should crossed path on this block hurriedly walk away
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@DIW
Correct only the political class can make changes,so what should be occupying the minds of individuals who want change is how to convince them of a win win scenario,the mind boggles at how that will be achieved.
Effecting change from within is never a surety.
For sure alienating them will not achieve anything.
Will await further elucidation from David as time goes by.
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@ac November 29, 2015 at 7:18 PM #
Chuckle……ah gine leff dah one ‘lone………”where ignorance is bliss ’tis folly to be……”
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Barbados cannot be a 24/7 society when people cant get water to bathe for Christ sakes.24 hour societies thrive on competition.Barbados still languishes as a plantation economy.The government should lead the way in making services fully online and/or longer opening office hours.This 24/7 rubbish is for the monopolist to capitalize on an influx of cheap migrant labour.Rubbish about Bajans not breeding enough and still cant get the NIS run properly.The only good economics is to further push Bajans on the periphery.Again, this government is a pack of fools.
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guh long do yuh backside ripe fuh a good cut a,ss intellectual snob.
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@ Hamilton A Hill,
Thanks. You will note that nobody is too keen of addressing the real issues. We prefer to spend time defending Dr. Mascoll , apolitical coward of the highest order, Maria Agard, who in all fairness failed to effectively cement herself within the constituency, Mia Mottley who is riding on some “legacy” of a former Mayor. A legacy that most progressives would want to ignore or forget; PM Stuart, who has been at the crease for years and dont even know which guard (stump) he is batting on; Chris Sinkler, who will scarcely be mentioned as a Minister of Finance in any serious crowd; Owen Arthur, who rose to prominence by watching cricket “bare foot” at Cable and Wireless. We have a sorry assortment of clowns being elevated . Nobody wants to discuss, not even the energetic Caswell, why black Barbadian shop assistants are earning 125 USD per week. Its a shame and a social and economic pollutant that while we talk about 24/7 this and that, that we still have people working for starvation wages. How on this planet can anybody exist on less than 500 BDS per week. And even that is difficult.
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William
You are being a bit unfair to me. I have raised the matter of shop assistants earning $250 per week on many occasions but twice in the last two weeks and nobody seems interested.
I think that you should be aware that they only get $250 if they work forty hours. They only get more if they work overtime or on public holidays if the shop is allowed to be opened. Imagine a minister of government publicly stating that overtime should be eliminated. It is for that reason that public holidays are now normal working days.
It would seem that this Government is all for those who can take care of themselves while they fool people about helping the poor.
Sent from my iPad
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@ Caswell,
My apologies. However, if you raised it twice and ‘nobody” seems interested that is scarcely a reason to hold off. Your union should not follow the window dressing exercises of your more established colleagues. Matters such as the rampant exploitation of essentially black Barbadians should be constantly put before the public , so that they do not die. The problem is that we all seem to be on the sound bite approach to solving the myriad problems that we are facing today, our 49th year of Independence. There are many citizens who really don’t know that their fellowmen and women are still working for less than 300BDS per week. Beating up the thirty one traitors , we have in the House of Iniquity would not help OUR cause of ridding our country of the many wrongs. Everybody marches and then hope it helps their party to win the next election. I am saying it is shame on all of us that we seem afraid to call it as it is .These are the facts that we do not want to face:
There was not one white , Indian or any ethnicity on the front pages of the nation being sent packing by the BLPDLP;
Black small business people have to fail because the financial institutions only lend us money to buy cars;
Whenever we talk about workers being exploited, we are talking about BLACK people;
To put it bluntly ; It is black bajans who suffering.
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I Just saw Prime Minister Stuart on CNN at the Climate Talks a few minutes ago. YAPEE!
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William
Nobody cares about people that are less well off than themselves. That is the reality of Barbados. Every day of my life, I am fighting for the disadvantaged in our society and you know what, not even the disadvantaged seem to care. It only matters when the problem affects them directly. There are people who tell me that they won’t join a union because whatever the other unionised workers get they will get the same also. Then they only come to me when they are about to get fired.
Then there is a set of workers who would have nothing to do with a union when their party is in power, and that is a sizeable number. Unfortunately, because workers would not come together they are made to suffer unduly, while employers take advantage of that apathy.
Then we have the employers who bribe the politicians and the unions to get whatever they want. Take for example the opening of shops that are attached to gas stations. The law did not allow it so the politicians changed the law to accommodate the practice, just like jam busting. But you know who owns the gas stations.
Also, one of the worst employers in Barbados is Chefette, but do you hear a peep out of the unions. They have in excess of 600 workers, thirty-five of whom are permanent, all the others are part time workers receiving less than forty hours per week. BWU does not complain because whenever the union has a function, they can call up Chefette for free food. The workers are sold out for food.
Then at Christmas Chefette plays Santa Clause by distributing leg hams and turkeys to the union officials and to strategic government officials. As a result, they can do what ever they like.
Workers just sit idly by and take it like domesticated slaves.
Sent from my iPad
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That’s a huge problem in Barbados and the current downfall of the country. Everything is measured by how much money (paper) you have accumulated. People have been brainwashed into thinking you should have nothing and get nothing unless you have first accumulated a lot of money, if you don’t, according to them, then you deserve nothing, small wonder the minorities on the island are known to have done every criminal act imaginable to accumulate millions and maintain the facade of having everything, while the majority blacks got poorer and poorer and are seen as outcasts by their greedy DBLP governments, the role of the poor is seen by them as just to vote and put these 2 parties in place to carry on the tradition, since the minorities, though wealthy, cannot make up those numbers, not enough of them of them on the island.
It’s a very sick and destructive philosophy. The concept of humanity has been removed from everything else on the island, except having lots of money, the moneyed people are left alone to do whatever they please. This is partly answering David’s question of yesterday, once the politicians can overcome their greed and identify with those whom they help oppress, that would be a first step out of that hole.
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Yes Caswell, like I heard one dude say loudly recently, black leaders from every level of the society still sell their people out for rice and peas, cars, and every other temporary man-made material available in these times, it’s just a step up from selling each other out for glass and beads while all the gold, diamonds, rubies and oil, the real wealth is in their possession, a la Africa. They are and have always been traitors to their own people.
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@ Caswell
Boss … William finally got you to bare your soul….
So, like Jonah, you are saying that the people are ‘brass bowls’ who are beyond help….even when you try to do all that you can to assist them…
…they prefer to stick with their B/DLP political exploiters….even while being returned systematically to slavery….. They will even stab YOU in the back – just to impress a puppet-politician who is really selling their ass to Jerkham et al ….
Bushie knows EXACTLY what you are talking about… but while Bushie is mandated to carry a big-ass whacker, YOU have been commissioned to save these brass bowls from THEMSELVES…. it is your calling boss… 🙂
Just look at your life experiences (education) so far…. It is what you have been PREPARED to do…..
…so no point in running off in any little boat called “Unity” to excuse yourself from your fate… you will only end up in some whale’s belly and get yourself puked right back into BUP. …. where you belong….
@ William
Excellent analysis of the state of the huge majority of blacks in Barbados. Comparatively, (miraculously) almost NO persons of other ethnic groups fall within that slave-wage range.
BUT…have you ever tried SERIOUSLY getting these same disadvantaged blacks to work TOGETHER in their own interests?
Do you know that they will ALWAYS go against another black… in favour of ANY other race (or political puppet) in the race?
Just look at most organisations bout here and you will see that the leadership positions usually go to the most ‘non-black’ persons eligible (or a political pimp who represents them) …who then pull all stops to support their own…
Blacks are the most INDIVIDUALISTIC, self-deprecating, and non-cohesive race on earth…..and as a result, we will ALWAYS find ourselves at the bottom of any materialistic heap…. brass…!!
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@ Caswell,
Thanks for your response. I can attest to the outlook pervading not only those workers at the bottom, but also those who are considered middle class. I was a chief steward and very active member of the Barbados Union of Teachers in the 70s. We struggled to get a quorum at most meetings outside of those relating to salary increases. However under the brilliant leadership of Comrade John Cumberbatch and other dedicated members, we were able to fight both the BLP and DLP rather successfully. I believe that you are having and will reap some success , I can only suggest you do not give up.
You stated: “Also, one of the worst employers in Barbados is Chefette, but do you hear a peep out of the unions. They have in excess of 600 workers, thirty-five of whom are permanent, all the others are part time workers receiving less than forty hours per week………” This means that Chefette is copiously following the anti-worker policies of overseas Fast Food operations such as McDonalds etc. These matters need to be drilled into the public’s psyche. They get away with it because , as you stated, they, the Chefette’s and others always have extra hamburgers for those who are willing to protect them.
@ Bush Tea
Thanks for your response . You asked : “BUT…have you ever tried SERIOUSLY getting these same disadvantaged blacks to work TOGETHER in their own interests?” They will work together if they are comfortable with the leadership. My experience showed me that those who seek to lead or change must not see themselves as doing a favor to those we seek to lead. Our history shows that the working class has been led by labour leaders such as Sir. Frank Walcott and Sir Granley Adams, Clement Payne and others. There were also some leaders that never made it to the public’s eye but there were legendary organisers on the ground.
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@ William
They will work together if they are comfortable with the leadership.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Clearly you are no ordinary Bajan bowl. But you must know that it is much more complex than that.
In our present state, we will not even RECOGNISE good leadership. We have been conditioned over the past 60 years of political idiocy, into thinking that ‘good leadership’ is about giving things to poor people and rewarding political yardfowlism…..which (as you know) is GUARANTEED to keep them poor and dependent.
Do you REALLY think that Bajans will readily embrace a leader that champions meritocracy as a general principle for example?
Do you think we will vote for someone who preaches that we must WORK for what we want?
…that productivity should drive reward…?
….or will we go for someone who hands out laptops on election day …and free house keys to people who just lime on the block?
Making that transition will call for revolutionary fervour Bill…..
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I get cuss on blogs and “in person” for saying that I spend more on food when I am in Barbados on business or vacation than shop assistants earn.
Note that my “food” was 1 pep bottle of coconut water daily, light sweet bread,cheese,coffee,fish cutters,rotis and supermarket deli food.
The point that needs to be stressed is that US$125 a week is paid to full time workers not students or people looking to make “extra cash”.
The cost of living in Barbados puts these workers under the real poverty level.
Keep fighting Caswell.
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Someone remarked regarding the fact that change must be effectuated by those charged with the executing the people’s mandate, which in my view is partly true, but real change emanates with the Barbadian people, who are obviously unaware of their potential to light it ablaze.
Yes, our elected officials are the ones charged with effectuating the much needed and necessary change in the current state of affairs, but if such change isn’t being implemented exponentially, then it is up to the masses to demand that change through the pathway of Social-Protect. Social-Protest has been an important as well as an enduring element in effectuating real change in the American political context.
Now when we examine the history of American politics, we see clear and convincing evidence of change effectuated through the pathway of Social-Protect from as far back as the War of Independent with the Boston Tea Party, the Abolitionist-Movement, the Women Suffrage Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Woman Liberation Movement of the 1970s.
Moreover, political change in the American context has been achieved through the pathway of Social-Protest, and important element lacking in the history of politics in Barbados, but such change isn’t unrealizable in the Barbadian context. What is needed I am afraid to say is that one important person or persons who are capable of arousing the collective awareness of the masses, as has been the case in the American context, and inspiring the masses in the direction of the needed change.
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@ Hants
I agree with you that Caswell must keep fighting -nothing comes easy when you are trying to change the mind set . You will note that the traditional “journalists” were crticising BU but once somebody of the calibre of Jeff Cumberbatch supports BU’s effort, the established journalists have to also recognise that the constituency they are accustomed catering to is shrinking, while BU’s constituency, is growing. And so it is with the struggle for the working class. I can bet a million dollars, that when bajans read that Cheffette has 600 workers and only 35 permanent, they will start seeing things differently. When they learn that their neighbour only works for 250BDS per week, they will understand the struggle better. The race is not always for the swift but for he that endureth to the end. Comrade Caswell, will get his rightful place when the true history of Barbados is written. Venceremos !
@Bush Tea
I learned to pay more attention to Rosa Parks than those who thought they will never ride at the front of the bus.
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@William
Thanks for your perspective. BU extracted the Chefette piece and blasted it on Facebook a moment ago, let us continue to educate the ignorant.
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Just on a point of clarity let me say that it is not only fast food restaurants that engage in the practice of split shifts that never amount to a full work week. COSTCO does it. WALMART does it. It’s am American thing, but so is HALLOWEEN.So too is THANKSGIVING. Both are recent bajan adoptions. Get my drift? Caswell and William may try till the cows come home, fact is we like it so! We are indeed a strange people. ….fa real.
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@ Hamilton Hill,
The entire Caribbean is now under severe cultural penetration. We have retrogressed tremendously since the 60s. You are absolutely correct that the big box companies like COSTCO and WALMART engage in the same policies like McDonalds.
@ David,
Bad things happen when good people do nothing. The struggle continues. Keep up the good work.
I knew that we were in serious trouble when school children were using Pinocchio as a mascot, for their reading program ! Imagine that with the blessings of predominantly black teachers………..there is much work to do. A lot more than we imagined 50 years ago. We are simply not there yet but we must continue to be engaged.
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@ Bush Tea and Jeff Cumberbatch
De two uh wunna is to blame for this.
The other day you Bush Tea compliment Domps for mekking two sensible statements in a week an jes so de man get “emboldened” and have return.
You boy Domps come back with a vengence!!
Just like a one horse town, de one word dat donkey come here using is “effectuated” effectuating” “effectuates” effectually and all de rest uh permutations!!
I appears that he was led by the learned Mr. Cumberbatch wid your etymological mastery and had taken to the Thesaurus while he “evacuating his bowels”
Rumour has it that Domps, during a particular moment of enterological challenge was on the page with “e” words straining, both in comprehending the words as well as evacuating, when his eyes fixed on this word… “effectuate” effectively etching and engraving this exclusive expression in his empty Cranium” ergo the submission at 1.25 p.m.
De ole man din find nuh words fuh head beginning wid and “e”
De Madam ent heah tuh cook fuh muh so i gine and boil some mo soft eggs and eat dem wid bread…
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@ Bush Tea November 30, 2015 at 11:46 AM,
I agree with your comments. Last week, I read a story which stated that a female police officer in Barbados was not allowed to maintain her dreadlocks if she wanted to remain in the police force. Yet at the same time you can see some Muslim women in Barbados scurrying around in their black “tents” looking like black crows without a word from the authorities.
If Mr Caswell is genuinely serious about creating better conditions for his union membership he needs to find out why we as a people seem willing to submit ourselves to this regular ritual of social, economic and political abuse.
Generally, as a people we remain devoted to activities such as fetting, liming and carnival. Yet when our civil rights are being abused on a daily basis we remain mute.
@ Mr Caswell, Sir – good luck.
@ William Skinner,
I remember having several exchanges with you in the past. Whatever optimism you had then seems to have disappeared. The politics of Barbados has de-sensitised you. You just need to convert that other blogger called Dee Word – good luck!
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@Hamilton and William, I would agree that Walmart is an atrocious employer towards its staff and only now since much pressure will they be increasing wages for hourly workers to minimum levels around $9 with an intent to get to $10 next year.
There have been instances where long standing employees at this massively successful company had to seek welfare assistance from the company to support their families.
But you do Costco a disservice to compare Costco and Walmart re employees rights/conditions.
Over the years they have been a much more employee friendly company than Walmart and their wage structure has tended to be significantly more amenable to supporting a family for those at the lowest end of the pay scale.
But absolutely retail/ fast food industries in general are brutal in terms of pay and hours for shop assistants and it is a continuous fight to improve conditions.
In Walmart’s case this fight has been ongoing for generations and even now as the CEO made these decisions the blow-back from the investment community who make their money on Walmart stock fluctuation and related financial actions were equally brutal in their condemnation. When a company that generates over $450B in revenue is being barracked for giving low-level employees a livable wage we must realize that our SOCIETY thinking is really screwed-up.
The financial folks are p’ed off about the several million $$ increase in wages expense and possible impact on profits rather than how staff can actually sustain life and liberty and be productive partners for their employer.
In that same vein the financial folks have been less than happy with the Costco CEO over the years because he has been ‘TOO’ generous re staff wages and benefits. Yet that company continues year after year being a top five US retailer and being extremely profitable. On the employee front they can be seen as a star not a laggard.
Of course we all know that WalMart is so anti union that they shut down a Canadian store rather than give in to unionism.
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@ de Ingrunt word,
Thanks for your response. Your point about COSTCO being a superior employer to WALMART is taken. However, there is still some element of using temporary employees to maximise profits, which is how the retail industry functions in the USA. From what Caswell has divulged about Cheffette, it appears that their model is following the very worst anti-labour policies of the retail industry. What is very troubling, is the fact that Cheffette has been allowed to engage in such anti-labour practises, without the slightest reprimand. A point that Caswell made.
@ Exclaimer,
Thanks. You stated: “I remember having several exchanges with you in the past. Whatever optimism you had then seems to have disappeared. The politics of Barbados has de-sensitise you……..”
I assure you that quite the opposite is true. I remain committed to the same principles and causes, I have been engaged in since my high school years. Quite frankly, I am more optimistic and fortified now than I have ever been.
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@ William Skinner,
It is good to hear that you remain “optimistic and fortified”. I do not.
Anyway, I wish you a pleasant day.
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“@Bush Tea
I learned to pay more attention to Rosa Parks than those who thought they will never ride at the front of the bus.”
She is the true quiet and dignified heroine of the civil rights movement but we adulate others with passing thought of her all important contribution from time to time.. Nowhere have I seen a statue of her erected of this face of the civil rights struggle.
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@William, most definitely there is a large element of using temp workers to maximize profits. What Mr Franklyn has divulged about Chefette is indeed troubling for the pro-corporate bribery and corruption. That too is taken from the Walmart playbook based on their escapades in Mexico and India.
When you speak of “slightest reprimand” and “what is very troubling” that fuels anger and deepens distrust with the entire landscape.
Clearly Chefette’s alleged 5% full time employee complement does not make any reasonable sense for a company of its size and success.
And according to Caswell, Chefette pays the Union with regular deliveries of prepared platters for meetings and unprepared hams and the like for union officials to maintain that non-sense.
Chefette in Barbados is as much a success story in its own small way as Walmart is a roaring success in the US and both also depict a clear public apathy; reinforcing the point that we are often only concerned about ourselves.
As long as we can get some ‘inexpensive’ food we are really not deeply concerned that the server providing the items is scrunting terribly everyday to maintain that pleasant smile and appearance.
Nor does it appear that we care that our labor unions have allegedly conspired to under-represent worker concerns.
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@ de ingrunt word. …It was not my intent to do any disservice to COSTCO nor was I making the comparison between the two. All I am saying is that the copycat syndrome that is so much a part of Barbados today continues to take us down the wrong road. The only part of our DNA we guard with gusto is our passivity. That’s why companies like LIME and those of Mrs Merchandani were able to survive so long, while offering sub-standard service, where LIME is concerned and blatant exploitation on the part of the other. Don’t tell me about no political connection cause there are some things that work through people power.
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I honestly think we are all on the same page. The problem is that many of us are afraid of the corporate/political complex that is firmly in ruthless control of our island state. I am certain that once factual information is brought before the public, our collective message, including differences, would be heard. I have already received about 30/35 emails from people saying they did not know that Cheffette was operating in the way Caswell said. It reminds me of when it was pointed out that it was Barbados Shipping and Trading (BST Blood Sweat and Tears) that single handedly destroyed the agriculture industry. At one time BST controlled almost all the plantations in our island.
Another little unknown fact is that when the private sector was given big concessions and tax breaks by Richie Haynes and the DLP in 1986, they bought race horses and built one car park in Bridgetown. They never ploughed those tax breaks back into the economy. In no time PM Sandiford was forced to find the IMF. That was the famous “Back raise” budget. There is a reason why they allowed Bridgetown to become run down. They were given the blueprint for Warrens by Tom Adams when he “conceptualised” the ABC Highway. These are facts that many Barbadians are completely unaware of. More to come in the fullness of time.
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Collusion breeds continuity, in the case of Barbados, it’s negative. That damage can only be reversed if DBLP wants to be reponsible for and remembered as the politicians to do so, if not, dog eat ya dinner, or in this case, all the minorities.
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Since wunna now find out about how Cheffete operates, wunna musse ent noh dat hundreds (thousands?) of young women duz be breaking down dem doors looking for work every year. Also while wunna talking bout Cheffete, ask Caswell about the “permanent temporary” positions that another large employer offer shop assistants.
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Should it not be, why do political parties still exist?
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Caswell articles/postings always provide food for thought.
Barbados as an English speaking country is closer to the US and Canada than either the Philippines or India. If folks in Barbados are working for BDS $250.00 per week, surely there is some way that we with our highly educated population can attract some of those jobs that are being exported to the Far East.
What are we doing wrong???
What does Barbados need to do????
What’s failing?
Is our educational system producing the wrong type of worker?
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@The Observer
Barbados as an English speaking country is closer to the US and Canada than either the Philippines or India. If folks in Barbados are working for BDS $250.00 per week, surely there is some way that we with our highly educated population can attract some of those jobs that are being exported to the Far East.
+++++++++++++
Simply put Bajans will not stand for the exploitation that is visited upon people in the Philippines and India by the companies that export these jobs.
Let me tell you how it works:
Company A in North America teams up with Company B domiciled in India/Philippines who will be the de facto employer of the workers performing the jobs in those countries.
Company B’s workers will earn a fraction of what the staff in North America makes; those workers will have no benefits i.e. nada – not even maternity leave. Depending on the industry they will have shifts covering 24 hours and there is no provision for shift benefit or holiday pay. Objectors to any company policy are quickly shown the door and when you live in a country with massive unemployment and poverty there will be someone there to replace you. Needless to say Unions are verboten, meanwhile Company A’s bottom line improves because Employee cost in North America is reduced, profit and share price increases – the Investors are happy and the Executives get big bonuses.
Barbados proximity to the US and Canada is a two-way street we know each other well so they know that we are not that desperate yet and they know that we have laws on the books that in the main still protect workers’ rights (Caswell may disagree) and that is why those jobs won’t come here.
A good example of companies washing their hands of “third world” workers completing tasks on their behalf is what happened in the aftermath of the building collapse in Bangladesh that killed people making clothing for some reputable North American companies.
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What are we doing wrong?.…..
The body is willing but the head is not able. Body = People . Head = Leaders.
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In our post-colonial context political parties exist for the same reasons unions do- to maintain the status quo i.e. ensure both the enfranchised and the unenfranchised groups remain so, and to derive personal benefit for so doing. If the masses were subject to a minority elite in governance as well who were openly exploiting them (as the DBLP does) they would be moved to establish their own government and direct their own affairs, taking the power or some extent of it from those masters; these two parties playing musical chairs fixes that problem in that the people believe they have power and select the government from among themselves, but it should be obvious that both parties pander to the same people. The masses are Bs and Ds. Bizzy say he is a PIG- the Party In Govt. Whichever party gets in, you will be told you gave them permission to be there and to make the decisions they do. You gave them a mandate with your vote. The only way they can NOT claim express permission is if no one votes… Amazing that people could think an election will change something after seeing the D-B switch of the 90s and especially the B-D switch of 7 yrs ago… which occurred how again, if under the Bs it’s all milk an’ honey? It also puzzles me how unions intend to move an entire nation forward by charging the workers money for protection, and how people trust that someone has their best interests at heart while they protect only who pays, and hobnob with the same ones they need protection from. If solidarity and a collective consciousness could be inspired among the people there would be no need for unions. Or political parties. Sites like BU can play a major role in building these.
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Bro Cas in one of your earlier posts you attributed the formation of the DLP to Mr Barrow; I too held that view until I came across this statement in the autobiography of former Deputy Premier Wynter Crawford in the Barrow administration and I quote.
“Contrary to general belief, Errol Barrow did not start the Democratic Labour Party. When the DLP started he was in the Barbados Labour party. The DLP was started in 1955 by Owen. T. Allder and L. B. Brathwaithe and one or two others who were disaffected with Adams. They started meeting at Tudor’s house, ‘Lemon Grove’. After Cameron Tudor and Barrow broke with Adams, they went along with the little group. They met at Tudor’s house because they had nowhere else to meet.’
However in Professor Woodville Marshall’s critique to the contents of the autobiography, he noted thus-
“the official history of the DLP indicates that two ‘tributaries’ of protest met to form the party. One tributary, the older, was led by Allder and Brathwaithe, while the newer one was led by parliamentarians, disaffected members of the Barbados labour party- Errol barrow, A.E.S Lewis, F.G Smith, and Cameron Tudor. Discussions between the two groups from February to April 1955 ended in agreement to launch a political party which would be both democratic and socialist
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More excerpts from Mr winter Crawford’s autobiography which can challenge certain myths surrounding the existence of political parties and I quote-
” After Barrow and Tudor left Adams, they came over to the Opposition and used to vote in the House of assembly with Brancker, Talma, Homie Corbin and myself. That made six of us. So Barrow did not join us as a leader at all.
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Mr Michael Rudder made a very important contributionto public debate in an article in the nation yesterday pertaining to the internal squabbles within political parties and the impact they could have on the outcome of the elections for the affected party if internal disputes are not kept in-house or settled sensibly . Again i offer excerpts from Mr Wynter Crawford’s autobiography which generally support the view of my former er English master and i quote-
“The only paragraphs in the manifesto i did not write myself were the paragraphs on education and a small paragraph on constitutional reform. It was circulated and everyone said it played a great part in helping us to win the election.. It was agreed that, if we won, Brancker would be Premier.
During the campaign, it is true, Brancker did not play the part that Barrow did. He used to confine himself mostly to his constituency whereas Barrow went with us all over the island. But, for all that, Barrow had not emerged to the point wher the public of necessity regarded him as leader. He had only been back in the House of Assembly for approximately two years and, when he asked me to join the party, he had offered me the leadership.
During the campaign, a meeting was held in Church Village and a man called Grandison or Granville, who worked with the st Michael Highway Commissioner, got up and said that, if the DLP won, they would make Barrow Premier, which was not true. The next morning Brancker rang me about 6 a.m.He said, ‘you heard what happened? What are you going to do about it?’ I replied, ‘Man, i have been studying this very carefully. It appears to me we are going to win, and one of the reasons why we have been doing so well is the fact that there is a lot of squabbling for leadership on the other side.-Miller, Cox, Mapp-nobody wants this one or that one. It is easy for me to hold a meeting tomorrow night and for me to say we have decided to make you Premier.But if i do that we will lose the election because people will say, ‘Both parties are squabbling over the leadership. We had better put back the party that we know.’ He said, ‘That is a point of view i can’t ignore but i will never work under Barrow. If you go along with it, i wil be Speaker of the House.’
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