Black Immigrant Daily News

Some 130 passengers from various countries in West Africa landed in Barbados on the first direct flight from Lagos, Nigeria, to Barbados on board Ethiopian Airlines this morning.

The flight was eight hours long with little turbulence.

Chatting with Loop on the tarmac in the shadow of the aircraft parked at Gate 10 at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), German-born captain Lars Mueller said that the direct flight was uneventful.

He said:

“It was straightforward, easy flight. The weather was nice. We had some clouds in the Atlantic but otherwise it was a smooth, uncomplicated flight.”

Asked if he thinks there should be a non-stop flight between the continent and Caribbean, he said that making that happen is out of his purview. But from the point of view of a pilot, it is feasible.

“That’s not up to me, it’s a matter of the two countries. I don’t know if there are enough people for a route for this…”

Speaking with his captain hat on, however, he asserted, “It’s no problem at all. It’s easy – the flight to come here, the airport, the facilities is perfect, the weather is always good. There is no problem at all.”

Noting the weather comment, Mueller revealed that this is not his first time touching down on Barbados soil though. But he was not at the helm, that time. He revealed, “I’ve been to Barbados 20 years ago for vacation and had a nice holiday here.”

And with those memories, plus today’s successful flight, he said that his boss would make the call on whether he will be repeating this trip in the future.

Ethiopian Airlines serves over 130 destinations around the globe. Mueller has been a pilot for more than 30 years.

The passengers who disembarked the flight around 10:40 am, today, August 31, 2022, are in Barbados for the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2022 (ACTIF 2022) to be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC) from September 1 to September 3, 2022. This inaugural forum is an initiative of the Government of Barbados and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). The comanagers of the Forum are Invest Barbados and Export Barbados. The direct flight was also made possible through the efforts of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI).

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The People’s National Party (PNP) has expressed outrage at the “gross, degrading and inhumane treatment” Jamaicans have been enduring on the Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Programme (SAWP) in Canada while calling on the Minister of Labour and Social Security to act in accordance with his portfolio or resign.

The party in a statement said that in August, Jamaican farmworkers in Canada penned an open letter to the government, outlining the “slave-like conditions” under which they are forced to work; and, have presented videos and voice notes depicting those conditions.

“This comes on the heels of a landmark case, where the court awarded compensation to other farmworkers for the abuse of their rights by their employers and the Canadian police,” the PNP said.

The Party notes that the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Karl Samuda recently went on a tour of some of the farms in Canada, yet did not find anything that jumped out at him in terms of ill-treatment, and “would like to remind the Government that this is not unusual in those circumstances”.

“We are not certain what the Minister expected to find on his cursory and official visit. We believe the Government ought to engage a special investigative team that has the necessary skills and training to embark on a fact-finding mission on behalf of our Jamaican citizens,” the party said.

According to the PNP, the characteristically “cavalier statements” of Samuda were insensitive and disrespectful to the Jamaican farm workers in Canada.

The PNP said it is “extremely disappointed” by the minister’s approach and “notes with disdain” the silence of Prime Minister Andrew Holness on the matter.

In a statement Thursday morning, Opposition Spokesperson on Labour and Social Security Dr Angela Brown Burke said: “We expect the Jamaican Government to stand in defence of its workers at home and abroad. The least that is required under the circumstances, is a proper investigation of the allegations.

“At this point, it is clear that the interest of our workers is of no importance to the minister who has always operated with indisposition towards the office, which he holds. If Minister Samuda is unwilling to act in the best interest of our citizens, he should resign.

“The workers’ pleas are totally understandable. They seek reasonable protection, acceptable working and living conditions, a safe and secure mechanism to report issues, assurance of independent investigations and a pathway to citizenship as a way of protecting their rights as workers.”

She noted further that while it is important to maintain good bilateral relationships, it is equally as important “for us to protect our citizens and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect”.

The Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Programme has allowed many Jamaicans to improve their quality of life since its inception. However, the arrangements now prevailing under the programme are said to be less than desirable.

“As a result, the liaison service which was introduced to protect our workers from abuse, no longer enjoys the confidence of the workers,” said Brown Burke.

The PNP is therefore calling on the prime minister to replace Samuda, launch an immediate investigation and begin discussions with the Canadian authorities to guarantee the minimum acceptable working conditions and rights for “our farm workers”.

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The Tobago Cadet Academy salutes during the 60th independence anniversary parade along the Claude Noel Highway, Scarborough, Wednesday. – David Reid

Newsday photographers Sureash Cholai and David Reid shares images from Independence Day parades.

Members of the Police Service take part in the Independence Day parade at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Wednesday. Photo by Sureash Cholai

Officers of the police’s mounted branch and their steeds showcase a drill display during the Independence Day parade at Queen’s Park Savannah. Photo by Sureash Cholai

Members of the Fire Services display a fire tender during the Independence day parade at Queen’s Park Savannah.  Photo by Sureash Cholai

A helicopter from the National Helicopter Services takes part in a “fly past” at the Independence Day parade, Queen’s Park Savannah. Photo by Sureash Cholai

Members of the police Traffic and Highway Patrol Unit display their skills on motorcycles at the parade. Photo by Sureash Cholai

Representatives of the different branches of TT’s armed forces perform a marching drill in retro uniforms. Photo by Sureash Cholai

Vehicles from the TT Regiment on display at the Independence Day parade. Photo by Sureash Cholai

Members of the TT Scouts Association take part in the parade. Photo by Sureash Cholai

Traffic wardens put on a marching drill at the parade. Photo by Sureash Cholai

Part of the Red Cross contingent at the parade. Photo by Sureash Cholai

The Military-led Academic Training Programme march at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Independence Day. – Sureash Cholai

Prison Officers on parade. Photo by Sureash Cholai

The Coast Guard contingent at the Independence Day parade.  Photo Sureash Cholai

Officers of the Fires Services take part in Wednesday’s parade. Photo by Sureash Cholai

A section of the Police Band at the Independence Day parade. Photo by Sureash Cholai

Spectators gather on the drag strip of the Queen’s Park Savannah. Photo by Sureash Cholai

A section of the Police Band. Photo by Sureash Cholai

A couple pulls up, dressed from head to toe in red, white and black to join in the independence day celebrations. Photo by Sureash Cholai

President Paula-Mae Weekes waves to spectators at the Independence Day Parade. Photo by Sureash Cholai

Photo by Sureash Cholai

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley waves to the crowd upon arrival at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Photo by Sureash Cholai

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine is led through the ranks as he inspects the various armed detachments at the Indpendence Day Parade at Parade Grounds, Dwight Yorke stadium, Bacolet, Wednesday. Photo by David Reid

Spectators at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Photo Sureash Cholai

The Tobago Cadet Academy salutes during the 60th independence anniversary parade along the Claude Noel Highway, Scarborough, Wednesday. Photo by David Reid

A member of the fire service plays the trumpet during the Independence Day parade along the Claude Noel Highway, Scarborough, Wednesday. Photo by David Reid

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Ancel Roget. File photo/Lincoln Holder

OWTU head Ancel Roget on Thursday moved towards claiming “aggravated and exemplary damages” from the Prime Minister over remarks published by Dr Rowley on his Facebook page on Monday.

The JTUM head ordered his attorney Kiel Taklalsingh to send to the PM a pre-action protocol letter for allegedly defamatory material.

The attorney said Roget had dedicated his life to fighting for the working class against oppression and, as JTUM head, must meet people from various sectors of society.

Taklalsingh said Roget’s reputation in TT’s industrial relations was of great value to himself and the hundreds of thousands of workers he represents.

Saying the article had been shared 350 times and commented on 928 times, Taklalsingh’s letter alleged Rowley’s statement had been “falsely and maliciously” published and had allegedly been calculated to damage and defame Roget in his personal and professional capacity, bringing his good name and reputation into odium and disrepute and sullying his reputation.

Taklalsingh said Rowley’s words, in their ordinary meaning, had suggested Roget had allegedly aided and abetted the commission of a criminal offence, including the obstruction of a public highway, and had been part of a criminal conspiracy towards this and, more so, was allegedly unfit to hold office as a labour leader.

“In essence, you accused my client of being involved in the illegal obstruction of highways throughout the country, and further suggested that he associates, aids and abets criminals in their nefarious activities.

Prime Minister Dr Rowley. File photo/Jeff K. Mayers

“That is patently false, and you were fully aware of the falseness of your accusations. These charges amount to a very serious libel against our client and have caused him considerable distress and embarrassment. The allegations made against him are false, and your attack on his reputation and character were completely unjustified.

“While we are mindful that in the cut and thrust of the political gayelle tempers often flare, we wish to reiterate that spurious allegations which are (allegedly) calculated to gain quick political points, and which are unsupported by verifiable information, ought to be deprecated.”

Taklalsingh spelt out the claim.

“Our client intends to make a claim against you for damages, including aggravated and exemplary damages, for slander and/or libel contained in the said words complained of.

“Further, having regard to the scurrilous and unfounded allegations which have hurt our client’s personal, national and international reputation, and which have lowered him in the estimation of reasonable persons in society, he can be expected to receive substantial damages for the publication of the said words.”

Saying Rowley’s remarks had appeared on various websites and in radio commentary, in and outside of TT, the attorney alleged the PM knew beforehand of such broadcasts and so implicitly authorised it.

Taklalsingh said Roget was urgently seeking from Rowley a “a full, unequivocal and unqualified retraction and apology” to be agreed by counsel and published in all daily newspapers in TT.

“Counsel has advised that Mr Roget is also entitled to substantial compensation for the injury caused to his reputation and feeling, including an award for aggravated and exemplary damages.

“In this regard, we are to invite your proposals.”

Taklalsingh asked Rowley to respond within 14 days.

“If no satisfactory response is received at these offices within this period, our instructions are to issue a claim against you and to expeditiously pursue same.”

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Barbadian dancer Royal Gale is repping the soca, carnival and all facets of the Caribbean as the face of the “West Indies” Nike Air Force 1’s.

Royal G, christened Gale Harris, is known across the region for her wining skills, flexibility and unique choreography.

She announced the collaboration with Nike on her social media, whilst not forgetting to include the Barbados flag.

“Y’all know I’m gonna represent and put on for the culture!” Royal G said on her Instagram page.

The collaboration showcases the diversity of the Caribbean, also featuring Jamaican track star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jamaican photographer and content producer, Jamal Burger, and Trinidadian songwriter Mia Taylor.

The AF1 “West Indies” was originally dropped 20 years ago. The white and classic green colour way was the first of four releases celebrating NYC’s West Indian Day Parade Carnival.

An emotional Royal G thanked her fans and followers on her stories. She reflected on her humble beginnings as a self-taught dancer, sharing her passions from inside her bedroom in front of a webcam, and posting videos on Facebook to now travelling the globe teaching Afro-Caribbean dance to thousands, and gracing billboards as Nike’s ambassador.

“Guys, thank you so, so much…For a like, a share, a repost, for your acknowledgement, for taking my class, for following me – Everything. Thank you so much because obviously I couldn’t get here by myself,” she said.

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