UWP member stages lone protest in support of nurses

Charles (left) gets some help to hold up his placard

A member of the Opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has staged a lone protest outside the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) in solidarity with nurses who he said are working under inhumane conditions there.

Attorney, Ronald Charles, who contested the Roseau Valley Constituency on a UWP ticket during the 2014 General Election and lost, was seen with a loudspeaker outside the PMH this morning voicing his concerns with regard to the nurses and the way they are being treated.

Charles is of the view that nurses are working in an environment that is very frustrating.

“Today I stand up in solidarity for our nurses and I will be there for a very long time,” he said. “I will come here every single morning and I will work to bring a sense of dignity, if I can in my capacity, to the nurses and civil servants who are working so hard but the conditions are challenging.”

Charles maintained that nurses cannot continue to work in “this kind of condition” and demanded that they be treated differently.

“..It is time we respect the work that they do…the work that they do for us in important,” he remarked.

Charles specifically called on the Minister for Health and the Prime Minister to pay more attention to nurses.

“The Ministry of Health must make the conditions better for our nurses,” he noted. “Calling on the Minister of Health to please consider the nurses of this country.”

Dominica has been facing a serious shortage in the nursing service since many nurses have migrated, especially after Hurricane Maria. This has sparked concerns that the shortage could have an impact on the health sector.

Acccording to the Dominica Nurses Association (DNA), in an earlier publication on DNO, among the issues of concern to nurses are: unattractive conditions of work, which include very low salaries, workplace bullying, stretched human resource and unsafe and oppressive work environments.

In May, Health Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, in apparent reference to the DNA’s advocacy on behalf of nurses, questioned the motives of those highlighting the problems of nurses, saying they are trying “to rile up nurses” in Dominica. However, two weeks later, in an address for International Nurses Day, the health minister said the government was treating the concerns of nurses on the island as a priority and was committed to supporting the nursing service.

He said the government has taken “drastic measures” to abate the concerns of nurses.

They include an “increase by 100% allowances, pay special hurricane relief uniform allowance and increase in pay rate of nursing sessions and we have also revisited other administrative measures such as implementation measures for tenure of nurses, provision of transportation and increase pool of nurses among others.”

The provision of transportation for nurses after Hurricane Maria has since been discontinued.

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54 Comments

  1. Joe Linton
    November 29, 2018

    I see my previous msg was not posted but at least you got the message!!!!!!

    ADMIN: Look again, it was.

  2. Lenpro
    November 29, 2018

    Thats nonesense. These transportation arrangements were put in place for nurses to get on site in assisting in health care after a devastating disaster. The country is back to normal. The government has done the right thing by discontinuing the transportation allowance. Its nurses responsibility to get to their job. Dominica would to better off without unions. Stop seating idling depending on government. Government is not responsible for paying for people to get to their job. Thats will not help the opposition win the next general election. UWP dont know how to win. Its ok to oppose. Thats not it.

    • troy
      December 1, 2018

      ok your right government is not responsible. so why oh why don’t they increase salary in other to make things easier for the nurses

  3. don2fresh
    November 29, 2018

    I used to think that transportation allowance is for field officers who during work hours have to travel around to do their job, isn’t provided transportation to do so or use their own vehicle. I didn’t know they were supposed to be given money to get to and from work. Not saying that the safety of the employees isn’t a concern but isn’t the off-duty hours is the responsibility of the employees? What Charles is insinuating means is that ALL employees around the world need to start asking for a transportation allowance? If the issue is finding available transportation to get to and from work at odd hours I can understand transportation being available at those odd times for the nurses but that still makes the request for an allowance moot. The opposition needs to stop using all situations they can find a fit in to push their political agenda. If you all are seriously worried be proactive and sponsor a bus for the nurses. Show you all can actually work instead of just talking.

  4. Joe Linton
    November 29, 2018

    DNO how is that news???? How comes i haven’t seen the commissioning of the historic “Smart Health Center” in Laplaine? that was done since 12 noon yesterday with international representatives such as DFID who sponsored this EC$1.6M project giving their institutions’ objectives and work in Dominica thus far… Don’t you think this is relevant especially for the children seeking news on their island?

    I think you are getting from bad to worse and you are for now until Emonews launch her site the most popular news agency on island… but unfortunately you are not keeping up…. i will not apologize to tell you i will direct my advertisements to Emonews when she gets on board, as long as she remains neutral and carry credible news that makes sense!!!!!! Look Morne Prosper roads received further funding of EC$356k yesterday as well, contracts were signed… smdfh!!!! This Politics is clouding and destroying our minds what a shame.

    ADMIN: Stay tuned.

    • Ti Garcon
      November 29, 2018

      Boy come out here with your nonsense. Emonews ok if you want to follow an ambulance chaser, but its obvious she’s politically aligned to the govt, and hasn’t posted anything which could be defined ‘anti gov’t’. For example, did she mention this news item on her page? Or the little UWP thing in Roseau last week? Yet she sends b-day wished to skerrit, his wife and the president. Unfortunately for her, that DLP news market is already saturated with Davibes and a handful of other little firms which had good starts but faded away. To make it in the news business you gotta get into the fire.
      Also, based on all online news sites in the Caribbean, DNO has to most comments. That’s despite, they taking forever to post comments, and sometimes not even posting comments! Here is more engaging and open- they even posted your anti DNO comment!

  5. Dominican Pariot
    November 29, 2018

    I thought the nurses had a union. Ronald Charles you need to ease up. Stop trying to gain cheap political points. UWP should instead articulate what are their plans for nurses and how to are going to fund that plan. It is easy to criticize but it is difficult to get real solutions

  6. Nurse
    November 28, 2018

    Don’t worry, we are in solidarity with Mr Ronald Charles, and we will stand with him when it matters most.

  7. Ibo France
    November 28, 2018

    One man can make a monumental difference in the lives of many. Dominica needs more people to speak truth to power. Nothing a government fears more than the collective voice of the people for the voice of the people is the voice of God. This administration has forced itself on the people by using chicanery, subterfuge and ‘mysterious’ millions of dollars to rent planeloads of overseas voters. The nurses, the port workers, in fact, all civil servants deserve a ‘top up’ and much better working conditions. While the ruling elite lives a champagne life-style, the vast majority of Dominicans are catching hell. Hungry yawns, flatulence, worries and diseases are these neglected people constant companions. Bring an end to the suffering, vote them OUT!

  8. Nan
    November 28, 2018

    Well said Mr Charles

  9. mine
    November 28, 2018

    You all are making things very difficult in Dominica. I worked in a hospital for 25 yrs they never give nurses transportation to work.

    • Anonymous
      November 30, 2018

      Was that the PMH in Dominica? If not did the the country you worked in have public transport? We have no public transport in Dominica, only private minibussen that do not run to schedule and you can not rely on them. They are not obliged to provide a service. You know, women did not have the right to vote either but this is 2018.

  10. Maybe
    November 28, 2018

    That’s not the PM business how they get to work they have to find there way they are getting paid to do a job soon all you will ask him to buy panties for them shame shame shame

  11. Ti Garcon
    November 28, 2018

    The problem with UWP is that they just doing things and expect people to fall in line. They don’t consult with people, hold town hall or village council level meetings or other forums where they communicate with people and can pay attention to their needs and concerns. They just holding a random public meetings here and there, where they dictate to people what their wants are.
    This protest is a waste of time, a cheap and failed political poly. What would be better is to sit down and consult with the nurses association to get a full understanding of their plight. Then encourage or advise the association on steps to take moving forward.
    To use someone’s plight for personal publicity and gain is a disgusting poly. What exactly does this Roland Charles expect to accomplish? whats the end game? Ok we know the problem, how are your actions going to get to a solution? Where is the rest of UWP, is this a vigilante fraction?

  12. PENNY
    November 28, 2018

    Boss you Wasting your time, Those same nurses will put the Dr Dr PM back in power. I will not stand for people who don’t want to stand for themselves. De country nice boy. Am not telling them to Abandon The patient but for those who are off or getting off work could join you. They want more money better working conditions and they don’t want to take a stand.Man Ron go get some coffee and a bagel and relax yourself.

  13. Diplomat
    November 28, 2018

    A special fund was set up to facilitate the transportation of nurses to and from work by donor agencies post Maria.However, as everything else where money is concerned, this regime found a way of redirecting this funds and deny the nurses their portion. It is unconscionable ! The deplorable conditions of the infrastructure across the board contributes to the all time low morale and this is unacceptable!

  14. LaPlaine Observer
    November 28, 2018

    The Ministry of Health and Skeritt are both complicit with inaction for the deplorable working conditions these nurses work in every day. Nurses, put partisan politics aside and join the protest because you are being overworked in stressful conditions, and underpaid to compound the problem. You take care of us, so it’s time we take care of you for your dedicated service.

  15. Bouden Mabouiya
    November 28, 2018

    Is this the same Ronald Charles?

  16. RasB
    November 28, 2018

    How ridiculous!!Is this an indication of a splintering opposition? I would have thought the issue would have been given much more credence if the protest was held under the banner of the UWP and not this clown looking for relevance.

    Obviously, Charles as an Attorney should know better rather than to reveal an image of a fractured UWP where everybody is striving to be the leader, a recipe for disaster and failure. Surely, Lennox must reign in his underlings. The very practice has been repeatedly employed by other members of the party seeking visibility but when they do so it reflects the party in poor light and suggest divisiveness. UWP a united front would serve much better than allowing each individual to try to get his 2p of exposure.

    Tell me, do you all see any other political party in the world behaving like this? If you can’t find one, what does that tell you?

    DNO please print, I note that my depositions are not published!! What exactly is your Agenda?

    ADMIN: What “depositions”? You have 61 posts under this name and this post would make it your 62nd. Most if not all of your previous posts have been published.

    • Joseph John
      November 28, 2018

      DNO, if there is no name you do not have to reply. you are not under any obligation to publish any posts. this is your publication and must not allowed anyone to bully you. you do not have a quid pro quo contract with anyone. You can publish at will. Many people posting think that they can assume authority over people. The only authority they have is over themselves
      Most of them do not offer their real name because if there is libel or legal action for inciting violence (or even terrorism) they will not be liable, but you will be charge with PUBLICATION. Please check with your lawyers on this. Those selfish trouble makers do not care about anyone, certainly not about you.
      some people posts on several different names and do several likes or dislikes. (…I USE TO DO IT for fun), But fun time is over we are in serious times. Something is going down so be warned.
      Why am concerned, You do a good job,an eye witness, reporting as you see it. Dominica need you for unbias reports…

      • RandyX
        November 29, 2018

        Terrorism?? If up until now there was any doubt in my mind that you are either completely insane or writing as Skerrits pseudo… Now I know.I hope DNO forthwith bans you from participating on this forum. You corrupt little individual!

    • %
      November 28, 2018

      I think it would be more appropriate to deposit this garbage at the landfill..Hope your garbage does not infect anyone using this online medium DNO..

    • out of south city
      November 28, 2018

      Your comment is IRRELEVANT. It’s people like you who continue to support the NONSENSE that goes on in this country. It’s just EMPTY PROMISES by your Prime Minister and nothing comes to fruition. Why should nurses continue to work in such DEPLORABLE conditions, UNDERPAID, TIRED without necessary EQUIPMENT? This BS needs to stop and more attention given to those who sacrifice their lives to help those who are sick and suffering. There is really “SUFFERING IN THE LAND,” according to Jimmy Cliff. SHAME on SKERRIT and his CABAL.
      UNAPOLOGETIC

    • Ibo France
      November 28, 2018

      I’m elated that you have exposed the imposter, DNO. Obviously, the man doesn’t even know the meaning of ‘depositions’. This is what the parasites do best, launch ad hominem attacks on people who dare to advocate for public servants who are badly ill-treated by a kakistocratic regime ( government by the worst among us). Not once, in his diatribe, did he mention the utterly deplorable and despicable working conditions of the beleaguered nurses. Like a hawk, descending on its prey, he focused his negative energy on Mr. Charles, the UWP and innocent DNO. This is precisely the reason Dominica is bedeviled with so many challenges. People with like mentality as the Ras, give succour to Skerrit and his henchmen to perpetrate their evil on innocent, defenseless civil servants.

    • lmnop
      November 29, 2018

      Why is this always about party and why should the opposition always be the one to stand for these issues. I bet if the party hosted this protest you still would not see the validity, emphasis and reason for such a protest. Rather than criticize you should go stand with him to create greater awareness and need for action.

  17. Rat Race
    November 28, 2018

    So the nurses that are off duty could not stand in solidarity for their own cause?
    Is it to avoid being affiliated with a political party?
    That should not matter who is standing in the protest, if I was a nurse I would join because it brings light to problem that me, my colleges and our families are facing.
    Dominicans are the most passive people on earth, whip after whip and they will keep grinding that old slave mill.

    • %
      November 28, 2018

      Agree with you 100%.
      They are in a state of perpetual fear ..Of what??? I don’t know .

    • Badbaje
      November 28, 2018

      Rat Race you do not have to be a nurses to join or to protest. You can join as a human being concerned about the welfare of other human beings. You do not even have to be a citizen of Dominica to join him, or to make your own protest!

    • World's Moistest Jheri Curl
      November 28, 2018

      You could have joined his protest
      Not only nurses should be concerned the health of the nation

    • November 28, 2018

      @Rat Race November 28, 2018

      I agree with you! There could be many reasons why the nurses did not partake in the demonstration; in the first place, it could be that they did not even know about it.

      • Rat Race
        November 29, 2018

        That is true, because I myself did not know either. So its possible that it was impromptu or poorly organized but my comment was also geared towards the fact that the nurses are silent while all of this is going on.

  18. jaded
    November 28, 2018

    It is official: The UWP is the Demonstration Party of Dominica (DPD). This is all that they know how to do. Protest is the only arrow in their quiver. God, please give us a respectable opposition party so that we in Dominica can have a decent choice come next election. The jokers in the UWP can’t even run a social club much less a government. What a laugh!!!

    • %
      November 28, 2018

      Stop using the word “we” so loosly..I am not in your foolishness.. Your cesspit of garbage indicates desperation on your part.Stop being so wimpish and irascible…Do you want to send your goons to devour patriot Ronald Charles? Heartless creature!!!!

      • Expat
        November 28, 2018

        Is this the way to win over people ? Man, you are your worse enemy. That is the result of deficient education.

      • %
        November 29, 2018

        @Expat
        Stop elevating your blood pressure,when to Skerrit you are a nobody ..You think he will fly you to Martinique? He won’t ! Why can’t sycophants like you see that? Open your eyes ….Are you blind folded?
        Skerrit Must Go
        Skerrit Must Go
        LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

    • November 28, 2018

      @Jaded I was thinking the same thing.

    • Ibo France
      November 28, 2018

      What did Martin Luther King Jr. do to bring about fundamental change against institutionalized racism. He and his followers mounted numerous demonstrations and engaged in public condemnation of the system. You are most definitely entitled to your opinion but it’s open to ridicule. You should be condemning the ruling administration for treating some of the most hard working and devoted civil servants like trash. They (Skerrit and his enforcers) have created this slave-like, untenable working mess in the country. Throw blame where it is justly deserved, solely at the feet of the ruling set of misfits.

    • ATKINSON
      November 29, 2018

      Maybe Jaded you should go into the hospital and see, or better yet work there a few weeks, and see and feel what the nurses and doctors have to put up with. Or just stand on federation drive and look or take a photo of the hospital grounds, more on the east end, like going up federation drive, and tell me if you would feel comfortable getting medical attention there. But that what we get from the cabal DLP. like i have said, i would not send my dog there, for treatment, And just a few days ago no joke, the was about 3 stray dogs walking the the garbage in the hospital yard

  19. Creation Rebel
    November 28, 2018

    Postal Workers in Antigua are protesting poor working conditions today while in Dominica workers at our General Post Office are drowning in rain water in an unfinished building and our nurses have to bomb ride all hours of the night to get to and from work…..SMH

    • November 28, 2018

      Don’t they make enough money to buy their own car? What are they waiting on? Yes, the hospital should have a transportation vehicle to transport those who do not drive to their respective bus stops or to home in some cases but, in this day and age most nurses should be earning enough to buy their own vehicle. Like as if the UWP jokers care. They are only looking for anything in a manhole to exploit and bring down the Government of today. Shame on Lennox. He needs to pay Pinard the money he owes him. Looking to get a hold of CBI money to satisfy his outstanding debts.

  20. KID ON THE BLOCK
    November 28, 2018

    Mr. Has a slack screw. Going on the hospital grounds blowing trumpet in the patients head. Doesn’t he knows better?

    • Anonymous
      November 28, 2018

      Kid, he got attention though, even yours.

    • Ibo France
      November 28, 2018

      KID, I’ve told you many times instead of constantly criticizing every member of UWP even if they sneeze, go and use that energy and time to work on your poor grammar and your awful spelling.
      *After ‘does or doesn’t’ you should use the infinitive of the verb. Instead of “Doesn’t he knows”, it should be “Doesn’t he know”. I did this just to you because you are always casting aspersions on people and primary school grammar is a huge problem with you.

  21. World's Moistest Jheri Curl
    November 28, 2018

    Where’s the rest of his party?
    Sun too hot?

    • lmnop
      November 29, 2018

      Why should it be about his party? Question is where were you, why are you not concerned and bringing light to the issue?

      • World's Moistest Jheri Curl
        November 29, 2018

        Give me a break
        this had nothing to do with nurses
        they weren’t even consulted before this pappyshow decided to bring attention to himself
        how was the press alerted to this nonsense but not the nurses he purports to help!

  22. November 28, 2018

    These guys are exploiting nurses to further their agenda and selfish motives. Shame on Charles.

    • %
      November 28, 2018

      You have it all mixed up .Those who exploit the nurses are securing themselves asking for a ministers salary and benefits a brand new car (every five years) after leaving office, but disagree vehemently with opposition promise that pensioners should get a measly EC$500.00 a month minimum…This is wicked and evil.Do these Labour Party ministers have a heart.? Look Wickedness Papa!

  23. Mother
    November 28, 2018

    Good for you mr. Charles. We must look after our nurses so that they can provide better care for their patients, The two go hand in hand.

  24. Red Ants bite
    November 28, 2018

    Yes sir! You made me feel sooooo good. It’s a shame how Skerrit has Dominica and the manner our nurses are treated . The man has no money to make life better for our nurses, yet he gets money to bring down gospel artist and his false prophet from Barbados to help him steal another election. It’s damn shameful man and I thank Ronald Charles for standing for our nurses

  25. %
    November 28, 2018

    Proud of you sir . Real genuine son of the soil…Those greedies on the other side (DLP) only know their pockets. What a shame. Inconscionable characters they are!
    I am so proud that I am NOT a Labourite in this DLP led by Skerrit.These guys break your bones and come to you with goodies at election time using even food and building materials that’s not theirs .wow!
    I feel the pain of the nurses.
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      November 28, 2018

      Where ever Skerrit Go, We will follow, We will follow

  26. RandyX
    November 28, 2018

    Well done Ronald, if only the concerned party (the nurses) would have the civil courage to join you! After all you are protesting for their benefit. But the great majority in Dominica are afraid to ‘upset’ the dictator. Let me tell you all, keeping quiet and complaining under your breath is going to get you nowhere. Rise up and join Ronald! You’ve got nothing to loose but awful lot to gain.

    • cry in the wilderness
      November 28, 2018

      Sure was a great deed. The haterz had a problem with that. It would have been a different tune if the situation was the other way around. People must talk; Ronald was effective. Very good. Keep doing what you are doing. You are winning that’s why some are upset. Remember that!!!!!

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