Douglas concerned about Ross lay-offs

Douglas said government will do everything within its power to ensure that Ross returns

Parliamentary representative for the Portsmouth Constituency, Ian douglas, has expressed concern about a decision by Ross University School of Medicine to cut staff at its Dominica campus.

The Dean of Ross university, Dr. William Owen Jr., wrote to staff around mid-December informing them of plans by the school to reduce the number of its employees in Dominica due to the temporary location of its operations to Tennessee in the US, following the passage of Hurricane Maria.

Douglas cited the contribution that Ross University makes to Dominica and in particular, to the town of Portsmouth. He said that loss is of tremendous concern.

“So it something that we continue to monitor. It is something that we are very concerned about. I mean, one person being out of a job in Dominica is too much in a small economy like ours. So, it’s cause for concern,” Douglas stated.

Douglas said that the government is in dialogue with Ross University to ensure that all of the conditions necessary for the school’s return are met.

“The financial facility that we placed at the AID Bank for the hotel and tourism sector, we have expanded that to homeowners or to the accommodation owners at Picard to cater for Ross University students so that the buildings that have suffered damage by Hurricane Maria could be repaired and renovated,” he stated.

The Portsmouth MP added that given the surplus of rooms in the Picard area before Hurricane Maria, about 85% of those rooms would currently be available and ready to accommodate Ross students.

“But we will ensure that every single issue that is within our powers to fix and to make ready for the return of Ross, we will do that as a government,” Douglas declared.

 

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38 Comments

  1. Pelo Ponneso
    January 7, 2018

    banana, banana, bananas
    banana, banana, bananas,
    banana, banana, bananas
    banana, banana, bananas
    banana, banana, bananas,
    banana, bananas for you…

  2. Get real
    January 2, 2018

    Sorry to say’ but in the USA when employees are laid off they are never rehired. So no employees mean no more Ross. Go figure.

  3. Shameless
    December 31, 2017

    Is that not the same Ian who was bragging that Posse was opened for business two months ago? Somebodyyyyy 8) 8) 8) 8) . Skerrit will make all of you become laughing stocks in the region. Ian please repeat after me; “Posse will be CLIMATE RESILIENT by the time Ross returns”.

    Always Assertive! :twisted: :twisted:

  4. Roland Alan Mitchell
    December 30, 2017

    Mr Ian Douglas,

    There has to be some compelling reason, or economic advantage, to make Ross University want to come back to Dominica of all places. It might be some fiscal advantage over other islands, or some technical advantage, like providing superfast fibre optic broadband in Dominica.

    The university is a business, and they will locate where they can make the most money. Mr Douglas has sufficient knowledge to think up some scheme, which will give Ross University Board of Directors a comparative advantage for relocating back to Dominica.

    Just think gentlemen!

    • chopper
      January 2, 2018

      I wish i could have said it better..they are very creative when it comes to holding our money.
      but they can never find a creative way to share.smh

  5. KIP
    December 30, 2017

    Black people forever lost. Fight like fools. Why not give definite examples of what the Minister should or should not do.Why not discuss alternative to Ross in the short and long term.Are we still gonna put all our eggs in one basket again?
    Heaven knows where Black people are going. Black people can’t build anything. We most top kidding ourselves.

  6. John Jay
    December 30, 2017

    That’s what I said Dominica must stay away from BIG PEOPLE POLITIC. When you voting at the U.N and will affect the bread winner just ABSTAIN . To dam fast.

  7. Paul Rossnof
    December 30, 2017

    Oh boy Ian, do yourself a favour and call it a day. In reality you wanted to say something else but you as your colleagues in government are afraid of the big wizard. Be a man and start working for your community in a manor that actually beneficial to them rather than trying to protect a man that does not deserve your loyalty.

  8. anonymous2
    December 30, 2017

    Everybody is bailing. Maria is only the latest excuse.

  9. December 30, 2017

    It seems that all the development in Portsmouth was directed towards Ross Un, it has also dawned on me that the younger Douglas, have renege on the legacy of his elders, ROSIE and MIKE and what they stood for. With his leadership in Portsmouth, all the EGGS were put in one basket, we all know what happens when that basket falls. The Truth Is Rarely Pure And Simple.

  10. NYPD
    December 29, 2017

    If Ross is your bread and butter why you still have taps on your house. You honestly think someone would want his or her child sleeping in a building with a tap as the roof. We Dominicans think the world is going to move according to our slow pace. Dominica yes we got hit by a natural disaster but come on we need to change our way of thinking. You driving from Roseau, you have the utility companies working on the poles. They don’t have not one person controlling the traffic around some serious corners. When someone gets killed they will have 10 people controlling traffic when they only need 2. We need to stop blaming the govt for everything.

    • Anonymous
      December 30, 2017

      Fact: government is in charge so they must accept responsibility. That’s what they were elected for, nobody was forced to become a member of government, least of all the P.M.
      And the word is tarp. (short for tarpaulin) and not tap. Get yourself an education.

      • Theone
        December 31, 2017

        You must be one of them with a tap/tarp on your house. Ignorance must be your middle name Anonymous.

  11. Neg Mawon
    December 29, 2017

    Only idiots like this Labour party administration and their IGNORANT followers don’t understand the concept. I will explain and be brief and simple.
    1-Erica blasted Dominica years ago and the government of Skeritt failed to bring the country back to its proper state, while at the same time squandering off the funds donated for rebuilding.
    2-Maria came to meet the temporary bridges from Erica, and people displaced by Erica were still in shelters. The tattered infrastructure was easy food for Maria but instead of rebuilding Schools and bridges and fixing roads so people can feel safe to move about, they taking loan to build Hurricane shelter. They think Ross University will bring its people and students back under conditions such as is currently in Dominica. Ross- Will situations be at least back to pre Maria conditions by May? Skerrit- Yes we will. Ross- so why years later you could not rebuild after Erica which was a baby compared to Maria? Sorry folks Ross is not coming back!

  12. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    December 29, 2017

    Ian, you are 100th generation of Douglas who represents Portsmouth and as usual, your words are simply empty. Businesses will always make decisions to protect their interest and sometimes that runs counter to what employees expect of them. A diversified economy is always the best answer. Then again, village-mentality politicians like yourself can only envision what’s in front of you and nothing more. Grandpa and daddy left you millions plus half of the land in Portsmouth, so why pretend to care.

  13. Dominica Uncovered
    December 29, 2017

    It appears that the truth has come home to roost in Dominica finally. Perhaps the many persons who keep saying that the Labour party is working will soon realise that they are not working. And if they are not working then how can Labour be working and how can the economy be working?

    I really do not know what it will take for Dominicans to wake up and start asking questions of their government. The country is now languishing is a state of certain decay and there seems to be no one at the helm.

    Instead , all we hear is about building a climate resilient country. One cant just wake up from their sleep and slumber after a devastating natural disaster and think that they can build a climate resilient country. This is a myth. Building a robust country takes decades with thorough planning and execution.

    I fear that Dominica is on a road to nowhere with this sort of feeble leadership. All is not lost however, but we have got to make a change in this administration and fast.

  14. Dowad
    December 29, 2017

    Douglas stop talking bullcrap and something to do. Go clear debris, or plant fig. You guys have destroyed this country with your toy ministership. Skerit is taking his idiots for a ride all the time but yet they are still following. His next move is to lead those morons to an inferno.

  15. Staff member
    December 29, 2017

    You all and allu damn politics. Let people who work andvhave worked at Ross complain about the changes that had been implemented. They have the inside facts. Ross of present is far from the Ross which came to Dominica. The focus is less onvthe quality of education but now more on the numbers that can be pulled . Ross changed ownership to Devry which was the firat blow. Staff had been conditioned to and prepared for change seceral years ago. Corporate ownership now focuses on numbers. Even after reporting multiple millions in profit the company is still looking to maximize. If Ross was truely returning in May yhen layoffs would be temporary and staff would not ve made redundant. Lets not blame this on the hurricane either. This move was a long time coming as parent offices always complained of Ross being over staffed. The student body prefered the Dominica location. Have you all even considered that not all students can even gain entry to the US? Let people who know speak

    • RastarMarn
      December 30, 2017

      Ok and you saying that to say that Ian is what???

      And Ross is still going to leave???

      And your solution as a Staff member is what recommendation???

      How are you willing to fix the dilemma facing the dilapidated economic structure that Ian and his fellows have set out for Dominica with their Support and drive for the Tourist Industry and the Service industry, and selling Economic Citizenship???

      Ross is nothing more than a Hotel-like facility where people depended on the influx of personnel (Students and Faculty) to provide daily services for them just like the service provided for visitors as a hotel,,,

      You cannot build an economy from dependencies on a service industry, economies are built on Natural resources that can be turned into finish products!!!

      • Gary
        January 1, 2018

        To suggest that Ross University School of Medicine is nothing more like a Hotel-like facility shows gross ignorance on your part.Why do you make statements ignoring facts. Have you heard of The Cayman Islands, they are not blessed with any natural resources, their economy is dependent on Offshore Banking, and they got one of the highest standards of living in the region. The Tourism industry in Jamaica amounts to more than 50% of the economy despite having a natural resource, bauxite and a conducive Agricultural climate. There are many countries in the region whose economies are totally dependent on some sort of service industry, to suggest that you cannot build an economy dependent on a service industry is somewhat a false assertion ignoring facts.

    • Shameless
      December 30, 2017

      “You all and allu damn politics”- You sound arrogant I must say 8) .

      You may or may not be a “staff” but there are lots of us who know the facts as it relates to the “political” side that you are NOT privy to my dear. So take a chill pill…….

      Now, Ross was not overstaffed. Yes there was a lot of inefficient staff brought on to please the political directorate. Yes the housing provided by private individuals to the students sucked. Yes after 20 years in office the government neglected to work with the school’ management in ensuring Dca did its share in ensuring they were happy. Yes the police and government failed to protect the assets etc after Maria. Yes Ross falls under the ministry of finance which has aggravated Devry for some time ….I wonder why? So my dear calm down because we know 8) 8) 8) 8) .

      Ross is fed up with Ian, Dr. Pun and the Purple Turtle Cabal and will walk if their “DEMANDS” are not met soon.
      Assertive A;ways! :twisted: :twisted:

      • Gary
        January 2, 2018

        Wow, “You all and allu damn politics” you should be last person to make such statement.Why are you condemning others engaging in politics expressing their opinions and you are doing the same, isn’t that silly on your part. When you say that quote “there are lots of us who know the facts as it relates to the “political” side that you are NOT privy to my dear.” this is such BS, the so-called lots of us you are referring to, know nothing and privy to nothing.The mere fact you are saying you know as it relates to the “political” tells me you have no access to privy information. All that you have written is an opinion based on assumptions motivated by your political partisan beliefs, not facts.When will you stop deceiving your self.

  16. Jacinta
    December 29, 2017

    Well well well people!!!!.

    • Me
      December 29, 2017

      What does that mean Jacinta?

  17. thethingswesay
    December 29, 2017

    The town of Portsmouth was further developed to how it is now on the back of Ross. Many people became overnight millionaires, many we do not even know about. Many also have debts and loads to pay and have been banking mostly on Ross. So now how will Portsmouth and more importantly Picard survive post-Maria? I say is spanish and Haitian they country will have to import to fill all those empty apartment buildings. Hmm.

    • Paul Rossnof
      December 30, 2017

      Not only that, the biggest problem lays with the banks and credit unions. I suspect that they are heavily exposed. Some will they that the buildings are still there for security but that’s not true because these buildings have gone down in value in the absence of a healthy property market the value of them is possibly closer to zero than to million. This entire situation could easily result in the financial collapse of Dominica if it is not managed by a government that actually knows about economics.

  18. Dominican
    December 29, 2017

    Ross is a very important factor in our economy. We should be great-full for what Ross University have done for our country and is still doing for this country. Ross have carried us on their backs for many years and I know they will be back to the nature island which they love dearly.
    On the other hand Ian Douglas and the Labor party who had 20 years, which is a life time to develop Dominica in such a way that Ross and many more companies will want to stay and come to do business, haven’t done so. The need for an international airport to facilitate Ross haven’t been met. a proper hospital in Portsmouth haven’t been built. a proper mega cruise-shop berth haven’t been built. nothing haven’t been done to develop our marvelous island so that Ross and many other companies will want to come and do business here. its a shame that 20 years of Dominica have been wasted by this worthless government. its time for Labor party to be voted out so that true development can take place in this…

    • Amgela
      December 30, 2017

      Well said Dominican

  19. Anonymous
    December 29, 2017

    Is not only Ross leaving Dominica Ian. Many Dominicans leaving also, they are voting with their feet and is not only because of Maria. Even P.M. Is only here part- time Ian. Even your vat, which not long ago you claimed to be the backbone of our economy, is faltering. One day the word is sustainabilty, now the fashionable expression is climate resilient. Nobody really knows what the P.M.means by that but you all repeating it like parrots. What I want to know is where the hell the jobs are to create real income Ian. Please, answer that!

  20. Dominican
    December 29, 2017

    Mr.Douglas, it is not only up to the government and the university whether we will see a re-opening of that teaching facility. Have you ever considered that the students and their parents/guardians may be reluctant to return to our shores? They are the pivotal factor in this and not the goverment’s wishes, Your efforts to entice them back may be too little, too late. Unlike most of us, the wellbeing of Dominica cannot be their prime concern.
    I would imagine that they want to conclude their studies in comfort and a safe and stable environment with adequate resources and ease/cost of access is one of them.

  21. dee
    December 29, 2017

    Man your eyes looking like somebody dat not all with it .
    I waiting to hear when all of you ministers going to announce allu giving back a million dollars each to the people of Dominica as a fund for the real people of Dominica or used as a down payment on a loan for a factory , or some form of employment creating plant for all de peoples of Dominica .
    Allu Ministers know damn well God in payback mood now and is come he coming for allu …..

    • Eric Dave Richards
      January 3, 2018

      What kind of asinine statement is that???

  22. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    December 29, 2017

    Ian, I would be disappoint if you had anything more sensible to talk about in this regard. Rose School of Medicine is  business, and as such one cannot maintain a full staff, when there is no activity on campus!

    The students are all gone: that is the core of the institution; no students, no university!

    Do you expect a company, an institution, or would you pay people to simply sit on their behind doing nothing? That is not how it operates in the real world!

    Rather than you talking fart, if you believe you have any influence, you should get down on your knees and try to see if you can get Rose to return to Dominica.

    They are gone, forever: Very sad because that university has long become part of our nation, it is sad they are not making any effort, nor given the impression they are interested in conducting any repairs on their property.

    That should make you aware they have decided to leave Dominica!

    • December 30, 2017

      If Ross is not returning, that would be very good news for you, a great new years gift to you and your Skeritt/Dominica haters. If Ross decides to exit Dominica it will purely be a business decision, two major storms in 2 years that caused disruption to its operations and most likely had a negative effect on its revenue. The prediction is that these storms will be more frequent and Dominica will continue to be impacted. So stop farting about things that we in Dominica have little control over. Better yet what are your recommendations that would allow Ross to stay in Dominica?

      • Paul Rossnof
        December 31, 2017

        As an other member already stated, if it helps to get rid of Skerrit, it would be good news. I’m afraid something good has to give to dispose of this bad smell.

  23. Dominican Passports
    December 29, 2017

    Them man tho tired cry boy :cry: :lol:

  24. Florida Diaspora
    December 29, 2017

    For those who are going to be laid off from Ross university this is a Great chance to see how wonderful the rubbish NEP (not employed permanently) program is. Remember the cabal claimed that nep is self sustaining and people are gainfully employed? Maybe NEP is climate resilient too given that the NEP program mostly consists of human weed Wackers cleaning up the roadsides for a penny. Lol… let’s see the Ross employees go from air condition to weeding the road sides under the hot sun. Labor ka travay… if we had move quickly to getting back on our feet after Maria Ross would have not been cutting staff but here in Dominica we like to take things nice and slow so now Ross is doing us what we deserve and they’really leaving us nice and slow

    • December 30, 2017

      Politics as usual. You are forgetting that the economy was just destroyed and the reset button for Dominica had to be employed. What is wrong if you have to weed to feed your family?

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