The National Employment Programme (NEP) is taking an initiative to bring on-board trained individuals to care for senior citizens who are confined to their homes.
Minister for Trade, Employment, Industry and Diaspora Affairs, Dr. Colin McIntyre says he has decided to bring in massage therapists to help ease the discomfort of senior citizens.
“We have a number of senior citizens who have never been properly massaged,” he said.” [Massages] can increase blood flow and even encourage them to walk again. We are looking for trained therapists to help those restricted to their homes. This project can also serve as employment for the therapists. We have already started this program and I am hoping to expand it in terms in getting to those who are bedridden [as] the elderly are very important to us.”
The National Employment Program will also seek to engage young people in village beautification projects.
“When you go around Dominica, you are going to see some changes,” he minister noted. “This is because of the National Employment Program partnering with the Ministry of Public Works; other Ministries and village councils to enhance Dominica by keeping it clean. It also serves as a means of employment for workers.”
He said women will also be involved in the projects.
“The men are working hard to keep the villages clean but we want to bring this beautification component to get the women involved. They can prepare the flowers, plant them and keep the area looking beautiful,” McIntyre said. “This program has been working and has touched every single village in Dominica.”
Since all the ladies over 60 years old are voting for Skeritt: I hope all those ladies under 60 come out to vote otherwise
If the NEP through the Minister is looking for TRAINED therapists to help those restricted to their homes, then this should not be too difficult because according to the story on DNO of August 21st 2013… Six (6) Dominicans earlier this week walked away with a diploma in Holistic Massage with Anatomy and Physiology after completing a nine month International Therapists Examination Council (ITEC). I suspect that the NEP through the Minister might have a different meaning as to what is a TRAINED massage therapist all in the name of supposingly job creation!!!
Doctor while you at it …help us the stray dogs in Roseau.
Right up your alley.
Boy hear that! I was talking to a cousin from Curacao end he telling me that in the Dutch west Indies they know NEP very well. It stands for “FAKE” in the Dutch language apparently. Now they all laughing from Surinam to Statia when they hear about Skerrit’s NEP programme. Trust Skerrit, he could at least have checked with his friend Bouterse in Surinam and he would have told him that NEP is not a good acronym to chose
colin i dont know what you smoking but i need some of it i see the windows on the building coming on fast who are the workers building the wall andcar park we want our tarish you used and workersto complete our fond cane road colin you have to pay we are watching
Its sad joke. These are plans for community service groups to think about – Not a Minister or a Ministry. Where are the plans for revenue generation – For the past couple of months these are the kinds of soft / vote catching plans coming from the Government. After 14 years of being in office this is the Best!?? Come on guys stop showing the world how dunce you all are. Its all about catching the vote – is that’s what you are all about? Planning to stay in power rather than bring economic hope for the country. You deserve a job at the community Centre at Trafalgar sir – sorry but this does not auger well for an “educated” man. Get real!!!
Please provide a therapist for the entire nation and the economy. The whole government needs therapy. They need to stop all these silly and childish programs ….. with no objects and goals… Just strange Stop the political games okay!
Some Dominicans jus don’t know wat dey want in this country again
please do not forget to focus on job creation because the Elderly in the future wiill have made significant contributions to Social Security to pay for massages.Previous Administrations have neglected this and the current one has employed Chinese Nationals in the multi million dollar projects leaving Dominican Nationals unemployed.
Time for a change,let’s do it!
Call the election now!
You break a leg then give a crutch,stupes man!
that is such a poorly written report or the minister needs a speech-writer.
Maybe P.M. saying that Heartless Henry’s services too expensive for the Doc.?
this is most vacuous project i have ever seen a Govt taken. How can y Govt paying wage bill for people to work for private sector my Gosh is i was an employer i would have hired 20 workers at the end of day it is more profitable for the private sector because they dont have pay dime. Secondly wheere is the return on investment for NEP. I chastise the Finance sec and economist who are better educated in the field than Pm please inform that is only goin to increase the Govt expenditure and zero money is coming into Govt coffer this leave you loss no return on investment rather than revitalise the economy so Private could hire more worker which more revenue in the Govt coffer. I beg to differ the technical person in ministry is more concern about politics rather than operation in Professional and prudent manner
Colin while you at it make an appt for Skerrit, Tony and yourself with a Physiotherapist.
The elderly need massages, because “We have a number of senior citizens who have never been properly massaged” ?.
This gentleman is supposed to have a PhD ?.
That is a great vision to move the country forward, lets give massages to the elderly.
I like it, I like that, I really like, I like it. LOL
Carcon, first they try to massage my wallet but nothing left in it, it flat like a dog’s turd run over by a car. Now they massaging the elderly for their vote. Well, a vote is a vote, no matter how you get it, isn’t it P.M.?
Just another spin for votes! Therapy for votes! why cant the government provide therapy for the many unemployed and frustrated Youths? Why cant the government provide therapy for all the poor folks roaming the country? Why cant they provide therapy for the struggling economy? This whole government is in need of therapy of a different kind. The biggest reality check they need is to vote them out of office. They need to stop massaging their ego . Wanna massage elderly folks so as to be able to be carried to polling stations and then kiss their feet. This minister needs theraphy for his ministry as well because its exasperating as is the entire government indeed. Enough of this silly and embarassing programs
Boy look jokes… Labor party think we stupid eh! after all village beautification is not November 4? I hope the trap all you setting for Dominicans that all you will fall in them after team Dominica takes 16 seats.. hmmm, we waiting
You can fool some people some time but you cant fool all the people all the time…
Call the election non!
Dr McInytre, that money would be better spent relieving the sick at the PMH of the discomfort of wetting their beds because there are not enough nurses or ward aids to assist them. Has anyone in this administration visited the PMH recently? If you spend an hour there and observe the plight of the less fortunate (some of whom whose family live in the country side), then as a doctor you would understand the PMH is in urgent need of HELP. Take the therapist salary and pay 3 or 4 ward aids instead. Please allow our elderly to spend their sick days in dignity at the PMH. What is happening there is disgraceful.
I do think this is an excellent venture to assist the elderly, some of whom are bedridden. There are different therapists who will assist them, whatever their need.
Therein lies a foot problem and could be the beginning of an ailment for the entire legs. It could be a debilitating one and for life. Precaution is better than cure.
It is wise that those in need should see a therapist at the onset of their problem, if one is available. This would greatly help.
For those who have tired feet, a good soaking in Epsom Salts (with warm water I suppose) will greatly assist. This is not only for women but also for men and the youths. We all have tired feet. Those poor feet do a lot of walking/work. The saying: “Oh my! My feet hurt!”
All i see with this nep is an expansion of the public sector… this cannot be sustainable… i wonder what the imf has to saybabout that….
A desperate situation calls for desperate measures,at least they trying something based on the recommendation of the Officialn Opposition that is gaining strength.
That is why In like Democracy,the threat of the opposition getting popular and winning the election forces the incumbrunt to act !
Imagine if there was no Opposition? Skeritt would use some choice words on us and tell us all about our Mother.
You make me laugh with that one wee pal. I like it, I really, really like it.
Well the Doctor has ordered a massage for all old folks who will soon be voting in the next general election and will receive a manicure and pedicure with red nail polish to serve as a hypnotic reminder to vote red
Thank you Mr Mc Intyre. Who could I contact ( Tel #, etc)so that I can have my folks receive this theraphy.
I stand against any individual or group that deliberately disrespect Seniors for 14years this administration turn back on them now election is in the air they have the gull to say they are now going to take care of our Seniors , what happened all those years, Well any one who need the theraphy for their love one ‘s should take it because their health is very important
But when you go to the Voting booth send this administration packing..
Change is a must.
What makes you think the seniors were deliberately disrespected? It is an accusation and judgmental to make such a statement. Change your ways.
You cannot dictate to people who to vote for. Be careful what you state. It may backfire on you and in your face.
But where was all these plans 14yrs ago.I Hope Dominican are not that foolish.Are these guys for real.That should been in place long time ago.Them man going crazy in D/A.
You really care for the elderly yes Sir you do. Just remember to send some buses to the Grotto Home on election day so the patients can compensate your government for the massage therapist treatment you are now offering.
By the way we are still waiting a full refund for the bin and fertilizer transactions you knew nothing about.
Hahahahaha. What next? You people going to employ midwives for birthing cows?
This government has been in power for 14 years and all of a sudden they realize the elderly need massage. Funny thing is a lot of dumbninicans going to buy into that.
Is best Skerrit call the elections and stop making us look bad.
I can bet a hundred bucks that that program will stop after election is over.
Be broadminded. There is always a first time and nothing happens before its time. As we say, this is life. Wherever we reside, this is usually the case which is nothing surprising except to the negative who love to critique and the narrow-minded.
The Facts. Are you for reall?, hello not after being there for 14 years, this is a political move as other before me said this is to gain the votes of the senior citizens of the island
This is the same PR who told us in the valley that he have nothing to give to us because he buy his vote, after he and the labor party adminstratopn deprived we the people of Dominica employment, caused us to become beggars, depending on handout today he is coming up with all sorts of joker part time employment, man you and your party must stop using the seniors/elderly for you all political gain, you all shoul be ashamed of yourselves, last election I received 5 grand to vote for you this time you need to come with four times the 5, which I will surely take, but will not vote labor, and remember that dollars do not vote
Hon. Mc Intyre, please take note that the biggest clean up to take place in Dominica is to get rid of the You as minister and Roosevelt Skerrit as Prime Minister. This is the biggest impediment affecting Dominica`s development.
YOU guys are brave and bold and will do anything stupid to stay in power under the guise of development. Stop taking advantage of the poor and vulnerable people of Dominica. You have got them poor and dependent, so please talk to your government ministers and please vacate your offices that a more decent, committed trustworthy group of Dominicans under the banner of TEAM DOMINICA is able to clean up your mess and plot Dominica to where it should be. You all are a Great disappointment…..we do not trust you please go…..good bye
WE WELCOME TEAM DOMINICA…UWP…..AND
CHANGE IS A MUST
You are fortunate that you have freedom of speech but be careful how you use it.
Very good venture!!! He should also look into training more young people in basic CARE of elderly people, not just stop at massaging (although that DOES help tremendously).
Good moves Mr. Mc Intyre. But Sir, the elderly needs more than massages for healthy living. If you want to bring good health to our seniors at least bring in the dietician, the therapists, both physical and occupational, and lets not forget the psychologist or generalist that can make comfort suitable for our seniors in their final years. You started good. Lets hope that your position will make a difference so that, getting to old age in D/ca will not be a waste.
All these will be implemented in time. First things first and what is most important for now.
Lets hope the first does not become the only act. Unfortunately, that is too often here in D/ca.
HAHAHAHA….oh boy… what next nah!
“We have a number of senior citizens who have never been properly massaged,” – One Therapist. Austrie announced $200 top-up for those over 70.
DLP strategy to win this election is to target the less vulnerable – the elderly for votes… yes iii.
Boy look jokes. Honestly I have never read more jokes than what I have just read. I wonder what will be the next move under the NEP? Is it going to be cleaning the Roseau river or cleaning all the dog faeces in town?
I will attempt to assist this regime with the bogus NEP ( Catch A Vote Fiasco). Had this regime being operating in good faith as it relates to employment of the unemployed, they would simply partner with the private sector where there is a focal point in terms of job seeking. Which means an individual would have taken in a job request to the National Employment Office and there exist the possibility of calling that individual to an interview sometime later. This would mean that be it government or private sector who is in need of an employee, the main contact urgency would be the NEO. This would be much better than the government sending person to work for the various private entities and having to pay them from the Treasury.
There is a need to get away from that kind of Catch A vote policy and look at the bigger picture in order that we move Dominica forward.
stupes
Maybe dem fellas just cannot manage Dominica cause Gaston Browne bringing investment in tourism, information communication technology (ICT), agriculture and manufacturing from China, skerro was in china first and he did not bring any business to Dominica, now all i seeing is toilettes and massage therapists u fellas need to visit St.Lucia & Antigua to see how a Government runs a country, your work is mediocre to say the least you should be ashamed to make these announcements, the world is reading.