President of the Dominica Association of Industry & Commerce (DAIC), Kenny Green said that bus drivers in Dominica need proper representation.
He was speaking, earlier this week, on the State-Owned Radio DBS ‘Talking Point’ Programme on Wednesday morning. Green’s comments followed the recent protest of Portsmouth bus drivers earlier this week.
“The bus drivers, and I said that on another radio as well, need to get a proper association and proper representation, because this issue will happen again and again, because they are effectively informal workers,” Green said. “I think it is critical that they see that there is an opportunity for them to get unified strength and get proper representation.”
He continued, “They are important to our economy, they are important to the general public, but this cash-in-hand business that they are maintaining without actually having a proper protection, not just for themselves but for the people who are their consumers is detrimental to them.”
Green added, “They are the ones who need it the most and it compromises their independence, because if after every crisis you have to come cap in hand to the government because you are not contributing into the system then what value are you going to get?”
Green made it clear that he is not assuming that the heads of the association or different associations are not doing their job.
“I am not saying that the heads of the association, the different associations that they have for the bus drivers are not doing their job, but they can only do so much, because they have limited resources and limited knowledge with regards to how they can structure themselves to even be able to go back to social security,” Green stated.
Green pointed out that since most of the bus drivers are not social security contributors, they are fortunate that the approach taken was not the one where the redundancy fund was used and administered by the social security.
“In fact, the money is coming directly from government, which means government has the discretion to say to bus drivers who have basically seen their income fall that they can actually go in and apply for income support under the programme,” he explained.
Bernard Coipel, president of the Mahaut Bus Driver’s Association, following a subsequent Zoom meeting with Prime Roosevelt Skerrit, revealed that there are plans to form a National Bus Drivers Association with local associations in every community.
I fully agree with everything you said Elizabeth, I hope that someone will have enough common sense to follow up with it sooner rather than later.
Silver Fox, thank you. And I want you to know that support your comments as well. Also, we must remain in defense of what we believe–our offense is too weak to allow them victory over us. Their thumbs down rating have no effect on us, they are only glorifying their own group–so what is the point?
Dear Mr. Green, what is the issue that will keep happening? From time immemorial we have been taught to prepare for a rainy day. Dominica has a society of check your own seen. This is where the problem is; that there needs to be more regulations and associations governing different professions. Everyone comes up with their own plans. The government needs to put in regulations to govern all these small businesses. Bus drivers want to make money, keep all their money, not pay taxes, not pay social security, some don’t even want to pay insurance, yet when fire catch, government owes you other people’s hard earned money??!! Oh No!! Bus drivers do not qualify. If you want to represent them, fine!! First thing is to get them to contribute to social security and have some kind of insurance to cover them in times of need. As of now, you may want government assistance but be reminded, you do not qualify. Government does not owe you!!
Fishermen and farmers not taxed on their income either. What you going to do about them? Yes, I asking the question I know is an awkward one but we must answer.
Kenny…. The compensation is due to the bus drivers under the parliament approval coined into LAW due to Covid-19 and has nothing to do with been organized. Because even if they were organize, base on the PM posturing he would still short change them on the compensation due to them base on LAW.
1. Compensation should be given by law to the bus drivers.
2. Loan of $15K is Skerrit right as Finance Minister to offer it. But the bus drivers has a choice to refuse it or accept base on their ability to pay-back the loan..
3. I am in total agreement for future the bus drivers should organize themselves as Covid-19 has exposed them and therefore have some form of contribution to Social Security for similar crisis which would allows them to drawdown in the absence of compensation under the LAW.
Note: You Know Better Kenny!!!!!!
Kenny, like EVERYONE that knew you back-in-the-day, you were a ‘Joker’ in high school. It’s clear to me the same still applies.
All these little house slaves like Kenny Green are just pretending. These guys have no body’s interests but their master.
So Kenny you are just a fake.
“Green pointed out that since most of the bus drivers are not social security contributors, they are fortunate that the approach taken was not the one where the redundancy fund was used and administered by the social security.”
It’s amazing how Dominicans believe that two wrongs will make it right! The starting point for the President of DAIC should be to encourage, advice and educate the bus drivers into being active members and contributors to the Dominica Social Security. All bus drivers should be contributing members to their Social Security for a future when they are too old to drive or too ill or like now in difficulties! And all employment, unemployment and redundancy funds should then be administered by the Dominica Social Security and not by the Government for political party favouritism or banks! Kenny Green I would have been expecting you to to educate our people, both bus drivers and the Prime Minister, and not just keep sucking the passports sales funds out from…
I nominate Kenny Green, passport seller and government ass kisser to represent them.
The bus drivers are too dam foolish. All you want to protest – JUST STAY HOME!!
Let those more dah rah pal reps and other as. kissers drive people to work.
Mr. Green, your dam as..!! The money is a loan! No matter the source it’s loan that has to be paid back!
So Kenny you know Skerit has our one point two plus the five hundred million US somewhere,why don’t you tell him to give Dominicans their money,it’s not his.
That’s the issue at hand.
“Mahaut Bus Driver’s Association, following a subsequent Zoom meeting with Prime Roosevelt Skerrit, revealed that there are plans to form a National Bus Drivers Association with local associations in every community.”–News article
This idea should have been in place a long time ago. A function without adequate control will never be fruitful; that is the problem with passenger bus service in Dominica. I pray that this plan is not just another talk and forget–the people need the bus service.
Bus drivers dont cooperate.. Salisbury busdrivers alone I see cooperating , de others is doug eat dog. Good luck on allu association
I fully agree with everything you said Elizabeth, I hope that someone will have enough common sense to follow up with it sooner rather than later.
Dominica is small so I do not see the need for different associations but bus transport is a public service and should be regulated nationwide, something like they have in Barbados. Drivers should be salaried and have a regular medical so we don’t drivers with health issues or are doped up most of the time and no ride without a valid ticket either. This way they can all contribute to social security and one more thing. Buses should include a stop at the airport in their schedule. Not everybody has the luxury of hiring a private taxi, say from GrandBay to Melville Hall, especially when they are charged per passenger. You always have the choice to use a designated airport taxi if that is what you prefer but I would like them to accept credit or debit card payments. Dominica should stop acting like the Wild West. This is 2020 if you all did not know.
This well articulated opportunist is sickening. The fact remains Bus drivers income fell because of governments action. He is the same guy who did a consultancy on land use planning and standards including zoning and hazard mapping for better land management but who allows the Skerrit administration to carry out civil works including river dredging and construction projects in a manner contrary to the consultancy findings,,reports and recommendations ,he instead seats their playing professional and most articulate on bus driver issues while not raising a finger on works taking place in unsuitable areas and lands contrary to the strong recommendations in his/their consultancy report for which he drew thousands of dollars for . Some one says to forgive him because he is a passport seller so he doh dare challenge the status quo! I say these are the professionals who allow themselves to be prostituted for a few dollars and who are a disgrace to the development of a modern Dominica
Well, if he is a passport seller he has obligations to Skerrit because it is our PM that ultimately must give a permit, a licence for these agents to operate. One wrong move and you can be out of that lucrative business. So yes, I would say. the man is compromised or at least a conflict of interest.
Their passengers also need representation. Many bus drivers drive after drinking, and far too fast – often with children on board.
And some seats are break waist, and smelly
Mr Green
ever hear the term casting pearls to swine ?
That is what you are doing. Stick to making money and leave these people to tear themselves apart. Sorry to say but they won’t hear or listen.
And thanks for the introduction to the govt in Grenada.
You should know who this is.
Since bus drivers are essential to the public and the economy the government should allocate a small sum to a bureau of sorts in the yearly budget. In the event of such disasters as we are currently experiencing the funds can be available. The funds can be invested on behalf of the drivers as a long term sort of retirement investment. We have to put our minds together in this country we must all contribute opinions and share knowledge to make our country better.
The responsible thing is to have all bus drivers registered into some public transportation bureau and then have them pay dues be it on a monthly or quarterly basis. From those dues a small portion can be taken out for social security and the rest into some type of disaster fund.