Clear Harbor layoff news ‘not welcoming’ – acting PM

 Acting PM Ambrose George
Acting PM Ambrose George

Acting prime minister, Ambrose George, has described news of a massive redundancy exercise at call center, Clear Harbor, as ‘not welcoming’ and cautiously hinted that government may provide some assistance to those affected.

“I must say although the news is not welcoming news but based on the pronouncements that have been made by Clear Harbor, one can say that all is not lost,” he said in a live interview on state-owned DBS Radio on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, Clear Harbor announced that it will be giving 44 percent or 243 employees walking papers as it reorganizes its Canefield operation. The employees will be going home on September 21.

George said the layoffs will have an impact on the economy of Dominica but it is a fact that call center operations are dynamic and “rely on the continued existence of the clients to whom the services are provided.”

“In other words you may have a client who requires 200 and 250 seats for their business, so if a call center loses that client, the next results will be the redundancy of staff as is the case now with Clear Harbor….,” he pointed out.

He noted that all is not lost since the company has said it will retain all its infrastructure and operations in Dominica. “In other words it is not a situation where they are going to close down their operations,” George remarked. “All the infrastructure will remain in Dominica. They have also indicated that they are in discussion with one or two new clients who may require between 150 and 175 seats. So if they are successful in their negotiations then probably within a very short period we can see the reemployment of those persons who have been made redundant.”

He stated that Clear Harbor intends to look at clients whose products are more diverse “and therefore that will provide more flexibility in terms of employment.”

George said the government applauds Clear Harbor for the manner it handled the redundancy exercise. “Here I want to speak of the sessions that have been held with the management and supervisory staff, the sessions that have been held with employees on a one on one basis to advise them of what is to come and of course the use of the provision of the laws and regulations in terms of ensuring redundancy payments are met,” he said.

He stated that although some employees did not meet the requirements under the law for redundancy payments, “the company in its wisdom and care and, I suppose, compassion, has decided to pay to those employees who do no qualify for redundancy two weeks severance pay, payment for any leave that may be outstanding and payment for any commission they may have earned during the employment.”

George said that Clear Harbor will be providing training for the benefit of prospective clients they are negotiating with and the company intends to bring back some of the employees that were laid off.

“Based on the circumstances, if that is the case where employees have to be brought back for training to satisfy new clients then the government may, and I use the word may cautiously, consider offering the employees who will be on training a stipend, so to speak, in order to meet their expenses for traveling or that type of thing,” he said.

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54 Comments

  1. lucky
    September 21, 2013

    its really hard to accept this eh … but be strong ……. we just need to get skerrit and his papishow acting p.ms out of the cabinet…… give the other party a chance lets look for change not lies we have been getting lies for too long …we are all young people who are trying to make a living for our self now and cant make it without a job so …..GET SKERRIT OUT PLEASE SOMEBODY WHO HAS A HEART HELP US …AND IM HOPING THAT ALL WHO WAS MADE REDUNDANT ARE LOST VOTES FOR SKERRIT ….YOU CANNOT LOVE SKERRIT MORE THAN YOURSELF IMPOSSIBLE

  2. New Town
    August 23, 2013

    Ambi, a hungry man cannot share food.Leave the people thing alone.

  3. Roseau
    August 23, 2013

    I have never heard those ministers come out of their shells like they are doing curently.
    Seems like elections are around the corner and money-Master Skerro telling you to go say something if you want money to go up again!!
    First, it was Ian then, Austrie, St.Jean,Kelvar,Bernard, Rayburn, and now it is poor Ambroose turn. But where is the Vet from de valley noh? He jump ship?
    I see that Charls Saverin the coward is playing it safe , waiting to jump ship again as soon as DLP lost.

  4. Doc. Love
    August 22, 2013

    Who beat you , Ambrose, you crying. On 20th August, Reggie gave the good news that Skerrit is on a trip and has found 300 jobs to be added to the Dominican workforce. On 21st. September, 243 jobs are to be deducted from the Dominican workforce. The 300 jobs, which Skerrit has not mentioned since his arrival to the country, is it fact or fiction.

  5. ReaAreLeeTea
    August 22, 2013

    The leaders, decision and policy makers of this country seems to undergo severe moments of insanity when they are faced with certain decisions and when they have to give speeches on certain topics.

    This country has major potential. With its location, level of poverty, availability of man power and availability and richness of land there are numerous schemes that would easily work here for self sustainability and improvement of production in business and industry. The only thing seemingly holding it back seems to be the collection of brains at its helm.

  6. I DIE NU
    August 22, 2013

    DNO..are there not better comments than that to publise? Pretty sere if this had come from a labourite making such comment against a member of the UWP,it would be no where to be seen on the site.

    • dominican away
      August 22, 2013

      y most everything b politics

      • Shameless
        August 23, 2013

        Because our politicians made it a point of duty to politicize everything…..even the churches, obeah and the dead. Now we are awaken and can see the lies hence our reason for politicize everything. But be mindful that “Change Must Come” and it will be sooner rather than later.

        Assertive, NOT Agressive!

  7. sir YES SIR
    August 22, 2013

    Ambrose.. create jobs.. that to do…

  8. trolol
    August 22, 2013

    When chines start pumping money in D/A allu will see. Everybody have their price, who want small bread we giving them small bread, who want Toyota Rav 2014 we giving it to them. LABBOOUURR!

  9. Francisco Telemaque
    August 22, 2013

    “Ambrose George, has described news of a massive redundancy exercise at call center, Clear Harbor, as ‘not welcoming”’

    Ambrose George you are not in any position to talk; as usual you are blowing off carbon monoxide gas from your mouth again. You should be grateful that the people did not simply close shop overnight, and leave Dominica.

    You see a call center has no roots, it is not an industry, its success or failure depends on how many companies, or businesses it represents. Assuming that they are representing a hundred manufacturing companies, and fifty of the companies go out of business in a week, that call center also goes out of business, unless they are in the manufacturing of their own money used to pay the people they employ.

    Let this be a lesson learnt, we cannot build our country on such mediocre fly by night business!

    What is needed in Dominica, are manufacturing industries, home furnishings, appliances, electronics, apparels, and similar industries. We sold Dominica to the Chines, when we adapted their “one China, Principal, and Policy,” had our government not submit their will, and the will of Dominicans to the China government, they would not be spending the peanut change they have spent in our country via loans, and handouts.

    They are full of technology, ask them to invest into something significant in the country as they are doing even here in the United States, and places such as Darfur, on the continent of Africa, and elsewhere. The government of China suggested to your government, that the only time Dominica will begin to make some progress is when we build an International Airport.

    You nor the rest of the people in government cannot deny that!

    So; Mr. so called acting prime minister, how about you asking the China men to lend your government the money need to build the International Airport, since in the interim more than five hundred people will be employed in the construction, and in the long term the nations citizens will benefit directly, and indirectly from the airport.

    What about the proposed Oil Refinery the late dictator of Venezuela offered your government, I suppose that was too good to be accepted, once you all discovered such projects would have produced long term, and sustainable employment, you found a way to shoot it down, talking about damage to the environment.

    You see Ambrose, when so called leaders operate with blindfolds and bandages over the eye, such are the results, the garbage you are spewing about the redundancy is another smoke screen, what do you care, as long as the taxpayers keep you pay check flowing?

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • August 22, 2013

      I thought only vehicles emissions contained carbon monoxide, and humans exhale carbon.

      • Francisco Telemaque
        August 22, 2013

        Sometimes, when we do not get the concept of what other people wrote, it is better to simply ask a simple question. “what do you mean?”

        And because I suspect you mind is in the gutter, let me show you that there is nothing you ca teach me about Carbon Monoxide:

        Physical properties of carbon monoxide: Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. It is slightly less dense than air, and only slightly soluble in water. Carbon monoxide has a low critical temperature, of -140.23 degrees C, and a high critical pressure, of 34.53 atm (atmospheres). These data indicate that the attractive forces between carbon monoxide molecules are low.

        Consequently, carbon monoxide is not easily liquefied, neither is it readily absorbed by charcoal. However, charcoal can be treated with certain metallic oxides that oxidize carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. Gas masks containing treated charcoal protect wearers against carbon monoxide concentrations up to 2%.

        In atmospheres containing more than 2% carbon monoxide, a self-contained breathing apparatus is needed. This equipment, often used by firefighters, furnishes air from a cylinder of compressed air to the wearer through a mask.: Chemical properties and uses of carbon monoxide.

        1. As a reducing agent, carbon monoxide is used in the production iron, copper, and other metals from their oxides. Here is the formula: Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) ——> 2Fe(s) + 3CO2(g) now since you create the impression that you are educated in chemistry, you should not have any difficulties arranging the subscripts in the formula properly. If you went beyond high school chemistry, you should not have any problems.

        2. As a fuel, Carbon monoxide burns with a blue flame; many fuel gases contain carbon monoxide mixed with other gases that can be burned. Coal gas, and water gas always contain some carbon monoxide.

        3. For synthesizing organic compounds. Methanol,CH3OH, is made from carbon monoxide, and hydrogen under pressure. A mixture of oxides of copper, zinc, and chromium is used as a catalyst.

        hence CO + 2H2 ——-> CH3OH Carbon monoxide is also used in the synthesis of many other organic compounds. As I said if your are educated in chemistry you should have any difficulties writing the subscripts properly to properly comprehend the formulas, my computer keyboard is not prepared for that and tabling.

        I hope you learn something from this, just because you do understand what someone conveys in what you read, does not make the person who wrote it an idiot.

        If you need lessons in chemistry I can give that to you also.

        Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • Anthony P. Ismael
      August 22, 2013

      You continue to echo practical, real world solutions with your responses. Unfortunately, we do not have the type of clairvoyant leadership that comprehends such approaches. They keep employing the same redundant techniques while expecting a different outcome. This is the essence of “Utter Madness.”
      Whoever is elected in the next general election should make a jet airport priority number one. Until such time, Dominica will continue to operate in the dull drums of yester year.
      Tertiary industries such as Call Centers do not produce products that are in high demand by global consumers. Therefore they should not be counted on for continued sustained employment.
      We missed out on the Heineken Brewery Factory years ago because one of the “Big Wig” in town had an import license, to import beer in Dominica. That was a stroke of genius, wasn’t it?
      We never gave a license to one of our own who had plans and equipment to build and operate a poultry farm in Dominica that was capable of supplying the local market with export potential.
      That’s because we did not want to upset the “The Other Big Wig” with the license to import “Meat and Meat By-Products.”
      A few years ago Dominica was spending some EC$25,000,000.00 a year on the importation of meat and meat by-products. Think of what half of that could do for employment in Dominica, via a well-run industry with a local market to sell too.
      The Hon. Minister simply proved that he is operating in a foreign planet, far-far-away in another galaxy. He is simply clueless.

    • Is That!
      August 22, 2013

      take it easy before you pop a vain! Toneah

    • ReaAreLeeTea
      August 22, 2013

      I’ve been saying for a long while now that I don’t understand why We don’t have more industry. We’re the center of the melting pot. We should be cooking up just about everything and dishing it out to the rest of the Caribbean.

  10. jlo
    August 22, 2013

    mr george, i for sure ent not fool as a dominican living overseas, i no its a matter of time before they close the place down ,and the govt and i both no it . any ways good luck in securing another one to employe the 240 some add ppl who will be out of a job

  11. J
    August 22, 2013

    CONGRATS to AMBROSE

    NOW MY child will soon have no work

    well if dats the case

    we resigning from LYO

  12. Anonymous
    August 22, 2013

    DLP your moto should be “Too late shall be our cry”. All you always waiting for S**t to hit the fan before all you can do anything. Always last minute. Look Skerro run out again. What next??? More empty promises for the unemployed and for those losing their daily bread?? What happen to planning. Can’t you guys ever get it right and have a plan in place well before all hell starts to break lose instead of waiting till the eleventh hour to then try to come up with some mediocre remediation, or patch up job. It is evident that you all knew well in advance this was coming, but then again why should we expect any different when we have seen 13 years of this type of Tom foolery and we still ain’t getting it yet. Anyway all I will say it seems the saying is true that “a country never gets the government it needs, but gets the one it deserves”. Dominicans too sot….We will see what happens at the polls next elections. Maybe we need to be dragged a bit further down in the dirt before we really get it. Time will tell…

  13. Lang Mama
    August 22, 2013

    All you woy Dominica has jokes wii. One acting Prime minister say jobs coming another acting prime minister says jobs leaving.

    What a fiasco – This Labor Party is so arrogant although they are a bunch of “dunce cyat”. Right now this pappy show thing of Reggie eating his tongue ,Ambrose is wonderland while Roosevelt traveling should stop . Fellas stop and take a breather – gather your lies and plan your execution of the lies. Lies never last but it seems like this Labor Party lies is like a Chinese sandals – they hold up just for a day.
    My next suggestion is to swallow your pride and adopt the UWP ” Breaking Ground” approach.If you cyan break ground bend it. Even Toulon from Colihaut can break ground too

  14. A DAM TEETH
    August 22, 2013

    Vote AMBROSE
    HE BROUGHT milk n honey to newtown

  15. Anthony P. Ismael
    August 22, 2013

    It appears that redundancy payment is at the discretion of the employer. The Labor Department needs to pass legislation that requires all employees on the island to contribute to an Unemployment Insurance Fund.
    The purpose of this fund will be to provide weekly unemployment insurance compensation to employees who are laid off from work.
    Beneficiaries of this fund would receive weekly compensation for at least six months. They would be required to be gainfully employed for at six months and earn a certain amount in income before they are eligible to receive weekly/bi-weekly checks.

    • Private
      August 22, 2013

      Sorte you never heard of the legislature for redundancy? The law is clear in terms of what is entitled based on e amount of time you work. Plus if you not entitled thru that there is some benefit from dss

      • Anthony Ismael
        August 23, 2013

        I sure did as I worked in Dominica too. I was speaking of something more robust, vs. what’s currently on the books. Don’t be so quick to label people and call them names if you did not understand what I wrote. Ask questions.

  16. REVERSE PSYCHO
    August 22, 2013

    YES SAR SOME POR KUWEE AND OTHERS POR DUVAR and having been briefed about the 243 they went infront lieing about the 300 jobs……….wosh….. CLEAR HARBOUR GRANDBAY IS STILL EMPTY…Next level…every damn thing going in Possie and the entire south begging due to the fake Mp’s we have;

  17. Richards
    August 22, 2013

    I hope all these young people that have been affected vote against this disgrace that we call a government.

  18. PRO
    August 22, 2013

    What the Government isn’t letting the people know that these companies set up shop in third world because they don’t pay taxes for the first 4 or 5 years they make all their profit and the head out to another country that’s how they use us and also paying pennies to their employees trust me their eyes are set on another country to rip off.

    • Private
      August 22, 2013

      Fool, the only way any country on earth including first world countries can get any external company to set up in their country is to offer them special incentives. It’s is not something unique to third world countries. Countries want to stimulate their economies, create employment, provide citizens with a better quality of life and stimulate other small business. This is more important and beneficial to the CPU try than a tax payments for 3 or 4 years

  19. August 22, 2013

    I see Skerrit had time to issue warning to the opposition but he had no time to comment on the Clear Harbor situation. Instead he is leaving it to acting PMs, one day is Austrie and the next day is Ambrose boy what papishow is this how can you have consistency when a diferent PM every other day.

    • hklh
      August 22, 2013

      skerrit does not own clear harbor. allu self not easy eh papa met

  20. USA
    August 22, 2013

    My heart goes out to the 243 individuals, who will be given redundancy papers very soon, I have been unemployed for the past 10 months, with a family to support, I know the feeling of frustration, and if one is not prudent, the worthlessness, that can overcome someone who is unemployed, I have two suggestion, the first and most important one is, if you don’t have a saving relationship with our creator God, get one, the bible says that as a child of God if we ask, he gives peace that passes all understanding, and trust me you WILL, need that peace, and on a lighter note, and not to offend anyone, let’s try a new team of managers, to manage the affairs of Dominica, and see if they can do better with job creation, and a total overhaul of the standard of the way we live, and conduct business in this our Isle of Beauty, don’t totally disregard the idea, please, do give it some thought.

  21. Invest
    August 22, 2013

    I understand every word you said, but I am not going to repeat one word. My point, let us start looking for investors to bring solid, solid employment to Dominica. The unemployment is already high and adding 243 to it, Mann, I all I can say I feel your pain! I been there and I understand the devastation it can bring to people live.

  22. Anonymous
    August 22, 2013

    I understand every word you said, but I am not going to repeat one word. My point, let us start looking for investors to bring solid, solid employment to Dominica. The unemployment is already high and adding 243 to it, Mann, I all I can say I feel your pain! I been there and I understand the devastation it can bring to people live.

  23. AP
    August 22, 2013

    This is why gov’t should lead the way in providing the right environment for job creation in Dominica. I don’t think the govt have a good longterm plan for development in this country. It seems to be based on what foreign countries can give. And I think everytime these countries get a call from Dominica, they cringe and hold their wallets tight!

    Gov’t need to have professional scouts out there drumming up business for Dominica…. either securing markets for our products or trying to get businesses to set up on our shores. We need to set up our college kids to be entrepreneurs (esp in the IT field) instead of having them sit around with college degrees waiting on a job… they can create opportunities/jobs for themselves. THeir services can help others around the world. The recent announcement for the mobile app conference is a good initiative. We have to be innovators, not just end-users! We have brilliant people in Dominica. We know that because when they go abroad, they excel!

    THey need to study places like Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, etc and see how they do it. Dominica cannot depend on tourism alone and so setting it up as an IT hub would be appropriate. Attract brains/inveestments to D/ca through heavy incentives, tax breaks, etc.

    Once we get these businesses to setup here, everything else will flow… They hotels, airport, everything will improve because of the DEMAND for their use.

    Government has ideas, but they are going about it in a wrong manner. They should not be in the marina, or hotel business – the private industry does it best. Let gov’t lead the way in setting the environment (infrastructure, tax incentives, etc) and helping businesses to generate wealth in this country.

    We just cannot beg our way to prosperity…

    • Anthony Ismael
      August 23, 2013

      I agree with you one hundred percent. However, for such a dramatic change to take place in Dominica, the education system from Primary all the way up to college, must be over-hauled. I have always argued that our education system produces brilliant scholars who do not think of opening businesses.
      For example, at the high school level, every student should be able to write a business proposal and create a business that generates income as part of obtaining a letter grade.
      Attaining 7 or 8 1s at the CXC level with no job to go to upon graduation will never get it done. I recall my days at Grammar School where emphasis was placed on attaining good grades and passing exams. However, the world that we live in today is so much more complex than simply stellar academics.
      It requires a new type of thinking, a new type of training and being in tune with new trends that seem to change daily.
      I believe that Dominica can definitely get it done with the right approach and the right attitude.

  24. Toma
    August 22, 2013

    I do hope that these people will be qualified in the 300 job market that the PM is bringing

  25. PetProjects
    August 22, 2013

    Acting prime minister??? Skerrit gone again!!! I guess the last briefcase he came with a few days ago was empty or LIAT lost it.

  26. Rastafari
    August 22, 2013

    No worries, 300 jobs coming soon :roll:

  27. lol
    August 22, 2013

    Where Skerrit go again…yesterday Reggie was acting?????????

    • boss
      August 22, 2013

      everybody have to take a turn in the acting lololol :lol:

      • Shameless
        August 22, 2013

        Reggie put his foot in his mouth on the job issue (300 jobs coming back with Skerro)so he was replaced. He was warned about his chorlorlor mouth (running mouth)after the Mervin election debacle and he did not listen. So Amby fall in line…lol :mrgreen:

        Boy look comedy in my country. But they have to remember that “Change Must Come” and that will be sooner rather than later

        Assertive, NOT Agressive!

  28. faceup
    August 22, 2013

    This government is sick, they damn well knew what was going to happen at Clear Harbor (300 new jobs for 300 lost)… Now I do believe the DLP end is near. I love you Dominica for I will come home to help VOTE OUT THE DOMINICA LABOUR PARTY OUT OF OFFICE..

    • faceup
      August 22, 2013

      One more thing Mr Skerrit, no amount of Chinese money can bye my vote…

    • Mamizoo
      August 22, 2013

      If you are not eligible to vote please don’t come corrupt our electoral process. If you are then please do cause Dominica need a change.Anything but this useless bunch of VATs

  29. 2 CuTe
    August 22, 2013

    I am in no doubt Mr Ambrose. All i have to say is action speak louder than words.

  30. COUNTRY LOVER
    August 22, 2013

    OHHH please Ambrose put honey on it put icing on it , it will remain the same so don,t give no explanation about no bull crap someone else will use them, whats done is done , you guys had 13 years to get things in order not depending on US companies to supply jobs for Dominicans “to sho to flam” jobs shame shame shame on you on the the Governance of Dominica.

  31. college graduated
    August 22, 2013

    but all those employed at least eearn some cash so i suggest that they employ new staff this may cause the operation of the business to run better and allow all those that were unemployed be employed

  32. August 22, 2013

    God is in control of everything and he will provide for his children doh matter what. We as a people need to put God first in everything. In times of need he will be there and as a God fearing nation we will never hunger.
    Stop blamming government for everything that happens. In every part of the world these things are happening and don’t matter how we try to blame it on politics that won’t change the fact that this happens.

  33. Shameless
    August 22, 2013

    Amby boy I see you back on the “hollywood scene”……ACTING again!..Lol :mrgreen: . Severance payments does not lessen the impact of that cool-pwenh (punch/ cough) in the stomach of those employees when Dominicans were just assured by the Rotweiler from the north of 300 new jobs that are coming. Those jobs may actually come but at the same time we are losing about the same amount so we have zero, zilch, nada gain.

    Garson allu doh tired fool people children and Dominicans on a whole? The “truth” for the DLP seems to be a distant memory in a by-gone era when E.O Lebalnc (God bless his soul) gave up on politics. By the way, tell us who running in your place this election nuh! Is it true that you refuse to hand over to a successor hand -picked by El Supremo? Hmmmmmmmmmm! But doh hurt allu head, just remember…..”Change Must Come” and it will be soon.

    Assertive, NOT Agressive! :twisted:

  34. fwegad
    August 22, 2013

    Yeh where is the money coming from to pay the laid off employees of CH.
    Papa Chavez is no more and the bravado is lost. Unless that money is coming from the offshore bank accounts to the red clinic .Based on what I know the treasury does not have money to pay the laid off employees.Besides many other people have been laid off in Dominica and got no stipend and it would be gross injustice to find money for some and not others.

  35. ZULU
    August 22, 2013

    So my guess is the PM is out travelling again. He must have took Reggie with him. Or he must have tied the pit bull behind the house. He was barking too much infront the yard scaring friends and familly away. I hope he is out looking for jobs and not money for re-election.

    I must say Mr. George sounds soo much more intelligent. I see some carefull comments. You guys are learning. Damage control Mr. George?

  36. dafriend
    August 22, 2013

    Here we go again…more pathetic noises from the mouth of a senior DLP man. I guess it would suit you guys much better if everybody was unemployed in Dominica. That way you could make everybody live from your handouts only. Of course only the obedient ones would get them. And hurray, hurray….next election the DLP managed to get 99.75% of the votes.

  37. D/can
    August 22, 2013

    WOW!, not good, not good at all! That’s an additional over 200 persons too many in the job search market. #sad

  38. One Love
    August 22, 2013

    8-O boy DAT TIGHT WE

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