Government to consider work-related legislation to cover all employees during times of disaster

Skerrit spoke at a press briefing on Thursday night

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said his government is considering enacting legislation to ensure that not only employees of the government but all employees, will be covered when decisions are taken by the government in times of disaster.

The prime minister made the statement during a press briefing on Tropical Isaac on the evening of Thursday, September 13, 2018.

“The only reason why we will pursue this is…because the state should not only be interested in a person when that person is dead. So, if you die before having access to a medical practitioner who can say well you were sick and the reason why you were sick? If you die, you know, they would have to go through a postmortem and an examination to determine your cause of death and until such time, they would not hand over the body to the family, Skerrit explained. “So there’s an interest in when you die. We should also have an equal interest in keeping you alive.”

He said his government recognizes that the majority of private employers do respond to the government’s pronouncement [for workers to stay home], “but in between you always have people who do not do that and therefore, let all the laws in the country apply to everybody in the country at any given time.”

He said business entities such as hotels or call centres, such as Clear Habor, that have special arrangements and requirements, will be facilitated in the proposed legislation.

“Because, you know, the hotels..everybody can’t go home because we have guests in the hotels; we have to provide services but those hotels would have an emergency plan that would cater for their staff. Likewise, Clear Harbor has a plan which caters for its workers while a storm is ongoing,” Prime Minister Skerrit noted. “So, in cases like that, there could be such exemptions and there will be such exemptions.”

Prime Minister Skerrit also revealed during the press briefing that government will be going to parliament before the end of the year to make certain amendments to the Emergency Powers Act.

“I have before me a recommendation for amendments to our laws to address some short comings in it. So, that will be done. So, ……….yes, there will be certain amendments to the laws,” Skerrit stated.

He said this decision will be explained to the public at a later time.

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36 Comments

  1. Da
    September 17, 2018

    The guy is a French man so what all you so upset about that he cannot speak English nor? He already say when his party losses the next election he will not remain in Dominica!

    • RandyX
      September 18, 2018

      He could not remain in Dominica anyway, because he would end up in Stocktake!

  2. Massacre
    September 17, 2018

    In any right working Governement , Skerrit would not even be a minister far less to even think of P.M . No wonder Dominica is in such poor developmental state.
    The road from layou up to Pound Casse’ impassable, the bridges in Mackoushri , Batalie and Pound Round still in precarious conditions, Carholm road is a disgrace, La Plaine and Delices roads are in a state of disrepute. Grandbay and the southern district are a mess, Marigot and Calinago territory are broken , so i would like the know is Skerrit running his campaign on ? Also the DLP supporters like the ones in Possie, St.Joe, Grandbay ,Mahaut, la Plaine and others to tell me what is so good and Okay about this one man DLP party.

  3. JAH KAL
    September 16, 2018

    Skerrit u look very tired worried and scared time to goooooooooo.So do all what u want THURSDAY the 20th gonna be very very hot we will have the camera out on all angles tell your goons dont try anything Dominica is to small we know where everybody live and we all have family.
    SKERRIT U HAVE TO GO.

  4. kwapo head
    September 16, 2018

    I agree he struggles with the English language

  5. Ibo France
    September 16, 2018

    Parts of Skerrit’s address was completely incoherent and indecipherable. A good leader must be a good communicator, honest, humble, intuitive, visionary, charismatic and unselfish. Does the PM possess any of these attributes? How has this inarticulate, egomaniacal, mendacious and dull-witted man managed to hold on to the highest elected office in the country for so many years? It’s just unthinkable. Some of the excerpts from his speech is intelligible. No wonder the country is mired in decay (roads, bridges, hospital, health centers, public edifices, police stations, economy). The people need to take back their country from the misleaders.

  6. Wrong is wrong
    September 16, 2018

    Jeffrey you are so right, Skerrit needs to concentrate on creating employment for the people instead of all of this cheap talk of his. Skerrit will go down as the PM that has taken more jobs from the people than he created. We already didn’t have too many jobs but to come and litterally take so many from us is really worrying to say the least. Not only has he taken our jobs by closing down companies like Breezes Mart, Ross University, public works etc but the many of our jobs he sent to China, Barbados and other parts of the world. The man is single handedly destroying our country and you know what, the people allowing him to do so. Dominicans need to rise up and demand that the man leaves our country alone before it is too late. We need to show Skerrit that we love ourselves, our children and our country more than we love him. Right now we showing him we love him more than everyone and everything. Dominicans , SAVE YOUR COUNTRY LESS IT BECOMES LIKE VENEZUELA!

  7. Stubborn Facts
    September 16, 2018

    All Skerrit can do is talk foolishness. The man’s has overstayed his time and we need to get him out! What has Skerrit done to make Dominica a better place after 18 long years in office? Whether we acknowledge it or not, we all can see what Skerrit has done to bring down our country. 1. He destroyed plans for a first class international Airport. just ask Ralph Gonsalves. 2. He switched us from Taiwan that was helping us, to China that’s teaching us nothing and even take our jobs from us. 3. He destroyed our banana industry while St. Lucia, with help from Taiwan is able to fight black-sigatoka. In fact since 2013, we have not been able to ship a box of bananas to UK, while our neighbor St. Lucia is able to double their production. 4. He destroyed Public Works and that’s why we having so much problem these days with any heavy rain. 5. He destroyed Ross University after 40 yrs here. Time will not allow me to mention the others. This man needs to go or else we will lose Dominica

  8. My Bad
    September 16, 2018

    Well Skerrit said last week that people behaved themselves, so I guess he wants to give his children a sweety for behaving. That Skerrit is just a turn off to me with his nonsensical talk. Somebody please tell Skerrit for me that he has been in office for 18 years and PM for almost 15; Skerrit is the hurricane, flood, storm, devastation PM, because that’s all he has brought us. If he really wanted to put legislation in place to cover nongovernment employees during a storm, why hasn’t he done it after 18 years? has he even attempted to? He is ONLY busy to force legislation for what benefits him and to hell with us. He rushed to put legislation in place to govern the IPO. He is working hard to change our election laws to the point that he now wants to take it internationally. So I don’t understand him though I don’t support his childish foolish talk that is based on fooling the people. I have been a laborite up to 2009, when I last voted for PM but now it is about voting for DA man

  9. Silver fox
    September 16, 2018

    The dogs are barking mad because they are afarid of PM Dr Skerrit !!!

    • Me
      September 17, 2018

      Unlike sly foxes, madly barking dogs do not sleek away but are dangerous, especially when provoked.

    • viewsexpressed
      September 17, 2018

      Not only the dogs, bark, but blind loyalists, but also the barking dirty Fox…….oblivious to his/her political surroundings. Yes you are right, Dogs bark to get rid of naughty and wicked people from their yards who through stones and dirty fleece at them. We stay away from these useless barking dogs. One has to be scared of Scare-it, he is very dangerous and hopeless and not even a barking dog he is able to tame, let alone his 18 political barking ministers worthless to take care and protect their respective neighbourhoods.
      So Silver Fox, know who you playing with and rise above the level of Labour`s stupidity and political ignorance. Skerrit must Go………Go Skerrit…..you have failed us.

  10. Badbaje
    September 16, 2018

    In the USA, in New York in particular, citizens are told at some times that they will be fined if they are found outdoors in some times of emergencies. They are told to stay home, and only emergency personnel are allowed to be out in some emergencies. They are told their vehicles will be taken if they violate orders to remain off the road.
    The past curfew was a very good one and much needed. These should be in place whenever there are such emergencies, no excuses unless emergencies.

  11. UKDominican
    September 16, 2018

    To excempt businesses like call centres from such legislation implies that commercial interests take precedence over people’s safety and the safeguarding of their homes. The reasoning behind the government’s own directives is contrary to such legislation. Safety and security are paramount for all citizens and exemptions shoul apply strictly to clearly designated emergency personnel only.

  12. Ibo France
    September 16, 2018

    This is exactly what happens when political leaders stay too long at the helm of government. They become bankrupt of ideas and for the sake of remaining relevant, they use their majority vote in parliament to pass draconian and frivolous legislation. The main focus in Dominica should be the revitalization or better yet, the resurrection of the economy. The IMF has painted a dire picture of the economy yet no pronouncements about this from the PM nor his empty bags of wind. As long as Mr. Skerrit is chaperoned by the ultra divisive, foul-mouthed Astaphan, Dominica will remain steadfastly at the bottom rung of the ladder. Shrewd, prudent, servant leadership is required at this time not autocratic showmanship.

  13. Sisserou
    September 16, 2018

    Good news/move Skerrit.

  14. viewsexpressed
    September 16, 2018

    Skerrit is trying everything to appease Dominicans to trust him and came to him and forget all the talk of the Bobols of his failed corrupt government. Shame on you sir and your blind devilish acolytes, in government The more this man give speeches the more he is speechless for speech and truth.
    Skerrit, you are not a notable leader and will never be. You will have fingers pointed at you forever for the mess you have created in our poor island you have failed to this day develop it to same level of socio-economic development that our people will employed, earning their own money rather than you buying out loyalty through the Red Clinic and scouts distributing on your behalf.
    Go away, you and clowns have failed us

    • Me One
      September 17, 2018

      Regardless of your rethrotic views expressed and % you are not offering nothing new! You are blowing hot hot air with no alternative. YOUR sing song is dry and old. A song could only stay on the chat for so Long, and yours has never shoot up the chat. Go find a JOB and be a contributing member of society.

      • viewsexpressed
        September 17, 2018

        Thanks God its you alone, meaning that you low to our intelligence and you don’t have a choice but to read. You guys are scared as Skerrit and his barking wolves will be gone. We need decency ion Hon Linton and his professional team.
        so you one, read, keep on reading, we will educated you where Skerrit is unable to.. he is a failure with low thinking people around him .
        Keep on reading

  15. RandyX
    September 16, 2018

    This man talks like a 12 year old school child. He says 4 sentences but in essence did not say anything at all, apart from that once again he offers Dominicans a small gesture which is easy to do for a government. However, the cry of Dominicans for permanent jobs remains unanswered. This is well beyond the capabilities of this PM and his administration.

    • %
      September 16, 2018

      My sentiments also.I cannot believe that this man taught English at college level. No way!!!
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go
      Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        September 16, 2018

        Where did Roosevelt teach English at college level?

        They say Roosevelt taught school in Dominica, perhaps elementary in Portsmouth; anybody can teach school in Dominica, one do need any teaching credential for that; when I was a kid, after one finished “Standard (7) seven; today “Grade 7” you were finished: Until dark skin (black people were allowed to go to secondary school.

        So, one got a “School Leaving Certificate” which afforded them to work any place in the civil service.

        Roosevelt said how he graduated  university in the United  as an English Major; nevertheless, when we check!

        I reiterate, when we checked the University to find out if he graduated there; we were informed that they do not have any records of a graduating Student name “Roosevelt Skerrit” eh!

        Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

        Nevertheless, that boy on political platform in Dominica with black gown and hat without tassel throwing in the sky as if he graduated. As if those of us who reside in…

        ADMIN: He taught English at the Dominica State College.

      • %
        September 17, 2018

        @Francisco
        I doubt he has any degree..Many of us share that view.

    • Anonymous
      September 17, 2018

      You think he may be suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s? Something is definitely wrong with him.

  16. anonymous2
    September 16, 2018

    More vague stuff from the PM.

  17. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    September 16, 2018

    “The only reason why we will pursue this is…because the state should not only be interested in a person when that person is dead. So, if you die before having access to a medical practitioner who can say well you were sick and the reason why you were sick. If you die, you know, they would have to go through a postmortem and an examination to determine your cause of death and until such time, they would not hand over the body to the family, Skerrit explained. “So there’s an interest in when you die. We should also have an equal interest in keeping you alive.” (Roosevelt Skerrit).

    I do not want to laugh; nevertheless, this man is not making any sense in his babbling, I wonder if that guy  is on some kind of medication that impedes his ability to communicate. Such nonsense I would expect a first year kindergarten student to speak by then the child would six years old.

    Who cares after they die!?

    Shut UP! 

  18. Unknown
    September 16, 2018

    Dictatorship at its best. In that case they might as well nationalize all businesses

  19. Yoww
    September 15, 2018

    What I want to know is when I getting water at my home..dowasco have people like is Maria that pass..

  20. Annon
    September 15, 2018

    That would be good, that’s how it’s done in the civilized world.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      September 16, 2018

      You are no different to Roosevelt; you are ignorant to your very core; explain to me what Roosevelt is talking about is a in what civilize world?

      What are you talking about Anon?

      Contrast  anything that  Roosevelt said, to any place in any your civilize world that you know: name one state or nation on earth which have what that dumb boy is talking about.

      Anybody who understands that nonsense Roosevelt spoke have to be in his mind, in his thinking to understand such nonsense!

      Tell what rather than make belief that you understand Roosevelt ramblings, make it simple tell DNO ban Francisco from writing nuh!

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

      you would make much more sense.

  21. Ibo France
    September 15, 2018

    Mr. Skerrit, get out of government and make most people happy. Your continued presence in government is retarding progress in the country. You have significantly contributed to the moral decadence, anxieties, misery and the general malaise that’s so pervasive in Dominica. You have referred to passing new legislations without consultations, what about making the economy buoyant so the many thousands of jobless citizens can be gainfully employed. The day that you are ushered out of the apex of government, what a day of rejoicing that will be. You and your snake-like surrogates are an albatross around Dominicans’ necks. Everything that you touch turns to ruins, the economy, sports, agriculture, healthcare, national security, manufacturing, electoral system, parliament, judicial system, treasury, tourism, infrastructure, agriculture, fishing. Every sector of the economy, every aspect of good governance, all have failed miserably under Skerrit’s stewardship. This is irrefutable. Get out!

  22. %
    September 15, 2018

    This man speaks like a Grade two child.Hartley Henry must start helping you with speech writing again.No wonder you cannot debate. The state will cover them in what sense? For injury? For working days lost? To protect them from the storm?Were you not a teacher Skerrit? Poorly and vaguely written and vocalised by an accomplished dunce cat.
    But really after 18 years a showman is still considering what to do?Man go do what you have to do,before you are disgracefully kicked out at the next election.
    You are a total and absolute failure,making a Shame out of leadership.
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now

    • Is So
      September 17, 2018

      % all your ranting and raving you are still not attracting new members TRY staying focus. You just have a faithful few and that’s it.

      • viewexpressed
        September 17, 2018

        Is so you come. We will rant and rave until political clown al you call PM is gone with his hopeless 18 ministers drinking political Kool-Aid and blindly following as failed Skerrit. You all Labour government has reduced Dominica to voices of rotten development. as beggars and with no jobs. The big Labour boys are having it big Labouring away. Your time will soon come
        Get out.

  23. Jeffrey
    September 15, 2018

    If there will be exemptions, then why waste time on such a legislation? I am yet to get the aim of such a legislation because their is no need for it. The only countries I know such a legislation exist is Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea and a few other places where democracy is in shambles.

    Employers in Dominica and the Caribbean are always willing and able to send home or even keep their employees on their compound and protective space because a few times employees have asked to remain at work as there is food and protection for all employees.

    Many of us have gone to Canada and the US and even other islands in the Caribbean and these countries do not exercise such or would not dear exercise such violation of rights.

    Mr. PM .. concentrate on JOB CREATION and stop trying to gain strength through ridiculous proposed legislation. This one is #2 in just a month … are you out of ideas or tired? Because it seems so. Could these ideas be coming from your BARBADIAN advisers? Make…

    • Badbaje
      September 16, 2018

      Good morning Jeffrey, how you and yours are all doing well.
      In the USA, in New York in particular, citizens are told at some times that they will be fined if they are found outdoors in some times of emergencies. They are told to stay home, and only emergency personnel are allowed to be out in some emergencies. They are told their vehicles will be taken if they violate orders to remain off the road.
      The past curfew was a very good one and much needed. These should be in place whenever there are such emergencies, no excuses unless emergencies.

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