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EMPLOYERS MUST COMPLY WITH LAW FOR WORK PERFORMED ON NATIONAL HOLIDAYS, SAYS LABOUR DEPARTMENT

http://sknis.kn/employers-must-comply-with-law-for-work-performed-on-national-holidays-says-labour-department/ #

Published 13 April 2017

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 13, 2017 (SKNIS): Officials at the Department of Labour have issued a reminder to all employers and employees stating that any work that was undertaken on Monday, April 10, after 12 p.m. and up to 11:59 p.m. is to be paid at double the normal rate.

This was due to Monday being declared a public half holiday to commemorate the passing of former Governor General, His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian. As outlined in the Statutory Rules and Orders, No. 35 of 2008, The Labour (Minimum Wage) (National Minimum Wage) Order 2008, the overtime rate to be paid to a worker for a public holiday, is double the rate in respect of the hours worked.

Acting Commissioner of Labour, Shernel James, stated that the Department of Labour has received complaints from some employees that their employers/management are refusing to comply with the laws of the land. She said that any employee, who is paid by the hour or by the day, must be paid two times the regular amount for any work performed during the 12 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. period.

For example, if Sarah, who earns minimum wage of $9 per hour, was asked to work from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, then her pay for the four hours during the period would be $72 instead of the regular pay of $36. Similarly, if John earns a wage calculated at $13 per hour, and worked from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. then he would be paid at the regular rate for the first three hours, which is $39. The remaining five hours would be calculated at $26 per hour, which add up to $130.

The same applies to the half holiday observed on March 23, 2017, observed for the passing of former Governor of the Associated States of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla, His Excellency Sir Probyn Inniss. Additionally, any hours worked during Good Friday (April 14) and Easter Monday (April 17) will attract double pay as they are public holidays.

Acting Labour Commissioner James strongly urged employers and their representatives to comply with the law in ensuring that workers, who would have performed duties during the period outlined, be appropriately and fairly remunerated. Additional information is available by visiting the Department of Labour on Church Street or by telephone 762-1029 or 662-2075.

Local news, News

Nevis Premier applauds Federation’s top UNESCO representative for efforts

http://timescaribbeanonline.com/nevis-premier-applauds-federations-top-unesco-representative-efforts/ #

Published 13 April 2017

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (April 12, 2017) — Premier of Nevis Hon. Vance Amory, applauded the work of Dr. David Doyle, the Federation’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) based in France and Honorary Consul, for bringing international attention to the history and heritage of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Dr. Doyle met with Premier Amory at his Pinney’s Estate office on April 11, 2017. He later met with the World Heritage Committee, the group spearheading the Nevis Island Administration’s (NIA) efforts to get historic Charlestown listed as a World Heritage Site by 2020.

He said the Federation’s UNESCO Representative has been assisting the committee in mapping its way forward and the critical issues they have to deal with to accomplish the stated goal.

In response, the UNESCO Representative said his visit was an important one in which he would brief the dedicated committee on both the technical and administrative they would need to undertake over the next 2-2 ½ years with very clear and tight deadlines.

“We need to make sure that we prepare a structured and very well prepared submission for the city of Charlestown which has an enormous number of heritage benefits, notably Alexander and other related historical characteristics.

“Going forward, we are going to be looking to raise funding over the next couple of months to bring in a number of experts to work alongside us, in helping us and mentoring us, in terms of the very substantive dossier we need to put together between now and February 2019, potentially, for a decision in June 2020,” he said.

Meantime, Dr. Doyle also addressed an unrelated matter pertaining to tourism while on Nevis. He pointed to a group of French golfers who would be visiting Nevis in December for the fourth year in a row on a golf cruise. He said they play golf at the Four Seasons Resort and return with great enthusiasm every year.

Dr. Doyle said the visit is one of many activities and initiatives undertaken in a bid to raise the profile of Nevis as a tourism and a golf destination.

At the end of his meeting with Mr. Amory, a thankful Mr. Doyle said he looked forward to continuing discussions going forward.

While on Nevis he also met with Hon. Mark Brantley, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation in the Federal Government.

Before his departure from Nevis, Mr. Doyle made a presentation at a STEP (Society in Trust in Estate Practitioners) (Nevis) Professional Development Seminar at the Red Cross Building in Charlestown.

Mr. Doyle was accompanied on his visit to Nevis by Mr. Antonio Maynard Secretary General of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO.

Local news, News

St Kitts Cricket Association Took Decision For Non Participation By Under 15 Cricketers In This Year’s Tournament- Says Sport’s Minister Shawn Richards

http://www.freedomskn.com/st-kitts-cricket-association-took-decision-for-non-participation-by-under-15-cricketers-in-this-years-tournament-says-sports-minister-shawn-richards/ #

Published 13 April 2017

Minister of Sports the Honorable Shawn K Richards is responding to the claim made by the representative for Constituency #3, Honorable Konris Maynard that the government and by extension the minister of Sports have taken a decision which has prevented the under 15 cricket team from participating in cricket games played in Anguilla, thereby preventing the team from defending their championship.

Richards pointed out that neither the Team Unity Government nor the Minister of Sports, “have done absolutely anything to prevent the Under 15 team from participation in the games”. Richards said he checked with his Permanent Secretary and the Director of Sports, and “no correspondence has come before us asking for any type of assistance for the team to be able to travel.”

Richards revealed that further checks with the St. Kitts Cricket Association and the information given to him clearly states that it was “a decision taken by the St. Kitts Cricket Association not to have the St. Kitts under 15 team participate in the games in Anguilla. The Association looked at a number of factors and came to that particular decision”.

Richards lamented that politicians bent on peddling mischief should get their facts right by speaking to the appropriate authorities.

Health, Local news, News

NIA seeking to bring water situation to speedy state of normalcy

http://www.nia.gov.kn/index.php/news-4/news-articles-3/3018-nia-seeking-to-bring-water-situation-to-speedy-state-of-normalcy #

Published 12 April 2017

Hon. Troy Liburd, Junior Minister in the Ministry responsible for Public Utilities on NevisNIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (APRIL 11, 2017) — The Nevis Island Administration is taking the matter of persistent water disruptions seriously and is seeking to bring the situation to a speedy state of normalcy.

Hon. Troy Liburd, Junior Minister in the Ministry responsible for Public Utilities gave the assurance on April 11, 2017, when he spoke to the Department of Information. He said they have been in constant contact with Bedrock Exploration and Development Technologies (BEAD) and are working to remedy the situation which has affected consumers on the island since last year September.

“This situation with the water has been the single highest priority for the Ministry and it is a very high priority for the government. It is not something that we are taking lightly.

“Water, of course, is the most basic thing. We need water for hygiene, we can’t live without water, so it is something that we are taking very, very seriously… We have been working with the company BEAD. They are the ones who operate the well…up to this morning, I spoke with the Chief Executive Officer of BEAD and he is assuring me that we are going to have a solution to that problem shortly,” he said.

The problems stemmed from a failed pump at the Maddens Heights pumping station owned by BEAD. They had been contracted by the NIA in the past to provide a certain quantity of water. The pump which is one of two owned by the company, generates the largest amount of water on the island at 360 imperial gallons per minute.

The well is more than 400 feet below ground and Mr. Liburd said the Ministry has also been looking into longer term solutions to remedy the situation. He expressed hope that they would be expedited and implemented but for the time being they continue to work with BEAD.

Apart from the failed pump, Mr. Liburd spoke of other issues which he said compounded the water disruptions.

“The Water Department is having to deal with the fact that they have lost a significant amount of supply.

“We are dealing with the fact that it is the dry season. We have had to deal with the fact that for significant stretches, the Four Seasons has been full and have been pulling quite a bit of water,” he said.

As a result, the Department has introduced a ration and rotation system. The water supply is turned off from 10 p.m. till 4 a.m.in certain strategic areas to allow the reservoirs to accumulate water. That way water is available in the mornings.

He used the opportunity to applaud the Nevis Water Department for its sterling efforts during the water challenges.

“The Water Department have been doing a tremendous job. These guys are out whole day and sometimes they are out all night… but this is our top priority and so whatever is to be done will be done,” he said.

Local Sports, Sports

Gulf Insurance Limited recognised for avid sponsorship of Nevis Primary Schools Championship

http://www.nia.gov.kn/index.php/news-4/news-articles-3/3017-gulf-insurance-limited-recognised-for-avid-sponsorship-of-nevis-primary-schools-championship #

Published 12 April 2017

Jamir Claxton, Director of Sports on Nevis and a member of the Nevis Primary Schools Championship’s organising committee presents a token of appreciation to Jason Clarke, Managing Director of Gulf Insurance Limited on April 06, 2017, at Long Point for the company’s avid support to the championships. (L-r) S. Nandpersad, Director of Assuria Group, Gulf’s parent company based in Suriname and John Barkely, Gulf Insurance Limited’s Operations/Claims ManagerNIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (APRIL 07, 2017) — Management of Gulf Insurance Limited, expressed thanks for recognition of the company’s 25th year of sponsorship to the Nevis Primary Schools Championship by the Departments of Education and Youth and Sports and the Meet Directorate.

Jamir Claxton, Director of Sports on Nevis and a member of the championship’s organising committee, presented a plaque as a token of appreciation to Jason Clarke, Managing Director of Gulf Insurance Limited on April 06, 2017, at the end of a site visit to the MUNDO track under construction at Long Point. The insurance representatives who were on Nevis to witness the 25 championship, left Nevis moments after the tour.

“On behalf of Gulf, I would like to say thank you for this recognition for our support over the last 25 years. We look forward to continuing to support the Nevis primary schools sports for another 25 years and further.

“We believe in the development of the youths. The youths are our future and Gulf is part of the development of the youths of Nevis,” he said.

Lester Blackett, Meet Director of the 25th Nevis Primary Schools ChampionshipS. Nandpersad, Director of Assuria Group, Gulf’s parent company based in Suriname, said supporting the youth and their involvement in sport is important to the company. He pledged continued support for the youths of Nevis in the coming years.

Meantime, he used the opportunity to speak of his impressions of the MUNDO track and his experience at the championships.

“I am very impressed. With all respect, you don’t expect a track like this. What I saw yesterday and still the kids do their utmost to present good times, I think, this will help them out also to go further in the profession in sports.

“I am very impressed and positively impressed. To all you guys who are behind this, keep doing the good job. This is very important, not only the youth but the support for you guys. Mr. Blackett, our efforts are behind you to keep this going up. It’s very important,” he said.

Management of Gulf Insurance Limited touring the MUNDO athletic track under construction at Long Point on April 06, 2017. (L-r) John Barkely, Gulf Insurance Limited’s Operations/Claims Manager, Project Manager Timothy Caines, S. Nandpersad, Director of Assuria Group, Gulf’s parent company based in Suriname and Jason Clarke, Managing Director of Gulf Insurance LimitedJohn Barkely, Gulf Insurance Limited’s Operations/Claims Manager who has been involved with the championships over the years, acknowledged the recognition and described the new athletic track as a dream come true.

He said the new state-of-the-art track would redound to the benefit of the youth of Nevis and they looked forward to future champions emanating from what he believes will be a great sporting facility.

Also present was Meet Director Lester Blackett and Project Manager of the MUNDO track project Timothy Caines.