Learn from your neighbour's mistakes Bahamas!

Reader warns: Learn from Jamaica's mistakes

tribune242 editorial

Nassau, The Bahamas


IN THIS column yesterday we commented on a proposal to Government by former Bahamian gangleaders to get crime under control by using them to create community jobs for the unemployed.

Having formed an alliance - United Against Crime (UAC) -- to mobilise resources and support for community based initiatives, the former gang leaders presented their proposal to National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest and senior members of the Police Force.

UAC's top priority is to create economic opportunities for the unemployed, who through lack of jobs are driven to crime.

"Whenever there is poverty there is crime. When people can't pay the bills they find other ways. The police can't do anything, with all due respect, until after the fact," said Valentino "Squaw" Josey, spokesman for the group. He said that community leaders - presumably himself and his fellow former gang members -- are the key to successful preventative measures.

He suggested that community leaders should be employed to do full time community work -- mediating conflicts, building side walks, cleaning the community, landscaping and performing other tasks. They proposed a partnership with the government and corporate society. He suggested that instead of giving government jobs to big contractors, the jobs should all be kept within the community. For example, he said, a $10,000 contract to paint a school could be given to a community leader, who could then employ other people in the community. And by working more closely with the community "we stand a chance to eliminate crime."

This could be a solution, but it is also the very kernel from which a serious problem could develop in the future.

This was partially the story of how the Tivoli Garden's saga started in Jamaica several years ago. It ended last year in the storming by Jamaican security forces of Tivoli Gardens, where it was believed that Tivoli's don, "Dudus" Coke, wanted on drug and gun running charges in the US, was hiding. Tivoli residents, whose very existence depended on the generosity of gangleader "Dudus," violently fought off government forces to protect their community leader. Seventy-three Jamaican's were killed in that clash.

Mr Turnquest told the leaders that government would not provide them with financial backing without "accountability and transparency."

We backed Mr Turnquest's stand, because we do not believe in arbitrarily cutting off an extended olive branch without a thorough hearing. However, for us there was a caveat and that was the case of Tivoli. We are certain that this is not the intent of our reformed Bahamian gangleaders, nor was it the intent of those of Tivoli Gardens when the political leaders got involved with the "community leaders." But in the end it was the unintended that eventually happened. Good intentions ended in tragedy.

A Mr Patrick Beersingh of Jamaica, having read this column on Tribune242.com, on Monday had the following comment. His interpretation of the proposal: "Community work translates to legitimizing gang control" -

"Editor,

"You seem to be supporting the idea, in spirit at least, that the so-called 'Community Leaders' should be employed to do 'full time community work'. That would be a huge mistake. I speak from personal knowledge of having experienced the very same idea implemented in Jamaica in the 1970's. You are so correct when you say that these ideas led to the Tivoli invasion. However, if you explore 'community work' closer you will see that the 'Community Leaders' are the Dons and Gang Leaders, who are attempting to get legitimacy to enforce their particular brand of law and order via intimidation and doling out scarce benefits within the community. This would see them grow in power until it takes a full scale assault on their neighbourhoods to dislodge them, when they eventually fall afoul of the supremacy of the organs of State, which they most certainly will.

"Look at the Crash Programme of the 1970's under PM Michael Manley. Now MP's are actually given monies to spend within their constituencies, which they use to influence their affiliated criminal organizations. Work is hardly done any more in exchange for this dole. Apart from the billions wasted on these programmes, what they do more than anything else, is to give legitimacy to the local criminals, making them into national and international dons of crime. What they become are state sponsored, Gang Controlled Neighbourhoods.

"Learn from your neighbour's mistakes!"

We are certain government will take a long and serious look at UAC's proposal.

Prime Minister Ingraham has launched another initiative aimed at the unemployed -- government's job readiness and training programme. The object is to prepare the unskilled for jobs as the economy rebounds. These are the programmes that these young men should be encouraged by their gang leaders to take advantage of.

September 06, 2011

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Bahamas Blog International

Bahamas: Unemployed Bahamians are 'unwilling to take on "menial" jobs from other Bahamians... as this type of labour is deemed "sub-servient" - says Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Brent Symonette

Unemployed Bahamians 'unwilling to do menial jobs'


By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
tribune242
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
Nassau, Bahamas



UNEMPLOYED Bahamians are unwilling to take on "menial" jobs from other Bahamians as this type of labour is deemed "sub-servient", according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Brent Symonette.

Poor work ethic was said to be at the centre of complaints which - according to Mr Symonette - have "bombarded" the Department of Immigration and fuelled the appeal for foreign labour.

Mr Symonette said: "The complaints we often hear include, Bahamians refuse to stay on jobs for any length of time; Bahamians are not consistent workers; Bahamians' work ethics are poor - showing up to work late, leaving early.

"I wish to appeal to all Bahamians to give a day's work for a day's pay. I am not at all happy about giving work visas to non-Bahamians, but we must pull up our socks in the work field."

Mr Symonette concluded that the high demand placed on the Department of Immigration (DOI) for "maids, caregivers and handymen" is representative of an unwillingness by Bahamians to pursue this type of labour.

"What is strange is that more Bahamians are prepared to do this work in hotels and for private homes of wealthy expatriates, to a lesser degree."

Mr Symonette addressed work visa statistics during his contribution to the 2011/2012 Budget yesterday.

The DOI approved 1,714 work visa applications during the first three months of this year, 385 were denied and 50 were deferred.

"Oftentimes, the Board is criticised as approving too many work permits/visas," said Mr Symonette.

"Very little is said by the Department, or the public for that matter, with respect to the number of permits refused by the Immigration Board."

Mr Symonette added: "The Immigration Board only approves applications in instances where no suitably qualified Bahamians can be found."

Priority job areas approved for work visas included live-in help, handymen or labourers, maids, caregivers, gardeners and chefs or cooks.

Mr Symonette said: "The fact of the matter is Bahamians are not willing or prepared to work in the home of other Bahamians as maids, caregivers, and handymen. Bahamians see this as sub-servient."

Meanwhile, Mr Symonette noted that Bahamian workers continued to dominate the banking and hotel industries at all levels.

Unemployed persons were urged to register with the Ministry of Labour to ensure the data bank store by his department could compare with incoming job requests.

"This appeal is for all categories of occupation, including persons returning home with certificates, degrees, vocational specialists, etc," he said.

"Although a Labour Certificate is issued by the Department of Labour, I would very much like to give closer attention to all those unemployed or on a waiting list for employment."

The DOI is set to initiate the sole use of electronic identification (EID) cards next month. Approved applicants for immigration services such as work visas, residence permits, homeowner's cards, and spousal permits, will receive a machine readable card about the same size of a driver's licence. Biometric data can also be stored on the card where applicable.

More than 1,000 EIDs have already been issued as the officials anticipate the paperless system will improve efficiency and eliminate fraud.

"The EID system manages the application and issuance process from the moment an applicant applies for a permit or certificate until it is issued," Mr Symonette said.

"This allows for a more secured and systematic application and issuance process."

EID cards can be found in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco and Exuma.

The second phase will include Eleuthera, Bimini and San Salvador.

June 02, 2011

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