by Senator Ron Livingston Redhead
Franka Bernardine, Political Leader of the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called upon the government to consider a one-off payment bonus for essential service workers.
“A one-off payment bonus for essential service workers is the least that should be considered,” Bernardine said as she called for each public health worker to be provided with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to carry out their roles effectively. “I recognise that you are risking your lives in service to the country, and we in the NDC pray for the safety of all of you,” she said while saluting all workers in her Labour Day address.
“We are aware of the frustration and agony of doctors, nurses, and other public health workers in their struggle and fight for job security, and we trust that the authorities will urgently address those issues,” she said.
Bernardine, a former Minister for Education, also said that she especially embraces the efforts of the teachers amid the enormous challenges they face working in an extremely difficult Covid-19 environment. “As you know, education is one of my passions and that of the NDC.” She highlighted that the lack of tablets, as was promised by the present government, would not have been a problem for the NDC if it was managing the education system.
“The NDC did deliver on its promise of free school books and would have already delivered by now on free tablets,” she said. Pointing to the efforts made then by her government in education, she said if continued, would have put Grenada in good stead during this period. She urged the government to give special attention to the needs of teachers and condemned the bulldozing of the teachers into working on a platform for which they do not have the necessary tools and skills. Bernardine also called on government to resolve the outstanding issue of pensions and gratuity for public officers and abide by the constitution and the Pensions Act.
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All the companies in Grenada that are forced to shut down are waiting for government to transfer the funds they received from IMF. We are now uneable to pay our staff period.
Even if the situation is ratified, the problems between Unions, Essential Service Workers, Educators and their Employer will never resolve. Because it is a deliberate strategy devise thoroughly, and calculated to galvanize support by: nourishing students with the drama also – to tip the voting scale under one umbrella.
This is a very dangerous precedent, and better judgment must be considered for our country’s present and future generations. It is mind- boggling to acknowledge the high levels of academic one’s acquired when disrespecting other people’s opinion by: creating and stimulating divisiveness.
Individuals soliciting elected or public offices should try building good reputation and help rectify deficiencies to gain experience. Our warm and friendly people need to be more responsible, constructive, innovative, productive and positive as educated people – apply wisdom daily, especially during this Covid-19 outbreak in our country.
Farmers need help and protection too!