Unemployment Count Thread

[Dizzy28]

confirmed CISL was closed down. happened fri gone

The day they sent Caroni Green workers home someone posted on the CNC3 article on Facebook a picture of their letter of termination effective April 28th for CISL.

[Drea]

Govt to close CISL*

Published on Apr 30, 2017, 10:08 pm AST
By Asha Javeed
asha.javeed@trinidadexpress.com

The Government has earmarked another State enterprise for ­closure.
This time, it’s Couva-based Community Improvement Services Ltd (CISL).
The imminent closure comes weeks after an audit on the company was concluded by the Central Audit Committee of the Ministry of Finance.
In recent weeks, the Government announced the closure of three other State enterprises—Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, Caroni Green Ltd and Government Human ­Resources Ltd.
CISL, a special-purpose company set up in 2002, has 20 ­employees.
The Express understands CISL’s management was given notice two weeks ago from its line ministry, the Ministry of Community Development.

I'm not trivializing the fact that people are now out of work, but I'm not sure what this unit actually did? I live couva and only remember seeing these vans pass once or twice, and its been a long while since I've seen one or noted their presence. These random agencies that are just popping up and you don't quite know their purpose.

[Dizzy28]

Govt to close CISL*

Published on Apr 30, 2017, 10:08 pm AST
By Asha Javeed
asha.javeed@trinidadexpress.com

The Government has earmarked another State enterprise for ­closure.
This time, it’s Couva-based Community Improvement Services Ltd (CISL).
The imminent closure comes weeks after an audit on the company was concluded by the Central Audit Committee of the Ministry of Finance.
In recent weeks, the Government announced the closure of three other State enterprises—Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, Caroni Green Ltd and Government Human ­Resources Ltd.
CISL, a special-purpose company set up in 2002, has 20 ­employees.
The Express understands CISL’s management was given notice two weeks ago from its line ministry, the Ministry of Community Development.

I'm not trivializing the fact that people are now out of work, but I'm not sure what this unit actually did? I live couva and only remember seeing these vans pass once or twice, and its been a long while since I've seen one or noted their presence. These random agencies that are just popping up and you don't quite know their purpose.

They are not so random and not new.
CISL was formed in 2002, SIDC was formed in 2006 with only Caroni Green being an initiative of the UNC sometime in 2012.

[sMASH]

They should close ema the rate they cutting fat.

[kstt]

Union leader: Chairman 'farse and out of place'

Elias hints at TSTT job cuts


Published on May 4, 2017, 10:00 pm AST
Updated on May 4, 2017, 10:09 pm AST
By Leah Sorias


The Communication Workers' Union (CWU) yesterday vowed to do all in its power to prevent any job losses at majority State-owned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT),

The warning comes on the heels of the revelation by TSTT chairman Emile Elias that jobs cuts will come in the future when the company rolls out several technological improvements.

Elias told a Public Accounts Enterprises Committee (PAEC) meeting on Wednesday due to the improvements there will be redundancies.

But CWU secretary general Joseph Remy said Elias was “farse and out of place” to reveal this information publicly when he knew there was process to follow with regards to the retrenchment of workers.

“Mr Elias can't put no threat there to retrench any worker because there are provisions in the collective bargaining agreement and there are provisions by law in terms of how that is done,” he told reporters at a news conference at CWU's headquarters, Henry Street, Port of Spain.

“We have been in the telecoms sector since its inception and we know that jobs will become redundant, but what we know is that there are laws in the land that you must obey,” he added.

He referred to Elias as a mouthpiece for the Prime Minister and claimed this was the reason PAEC member, Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste, failed to challenge his retrenchment comments at the meeting.

“I was amazed that that issue of retrenchment came on the table and nobody pointed out that there were provisions in law and there are provisions in the collective agreement that speak to that process. You can't just talk that in a flippant manner and threaten people with job loss,” Remy said.

He said Elias also misled the nation by suggesting the salary of one employee at TSTT was $420,000 a year.

He said this was “utterly untrue” as not one single TSTT employee, senior or junior, earns more than $275,000 a year.

“And we are talking about professional people at the highest level of engineering,” he said.

Remy claimed under Elias's chairmanship, the number of executive managers at TSTT increased from 12 persons to 20 persons, with the senior executives taking home an average of $85,000 to $90,000 a month and junior executives earning an average of $60,000 a month.



Massy deal secrecy



Remy went on to slam Elias for failing to disclose the details of TSTT's agreement to purchase Massy Communications when asked to do so during the PAEC meeting.

TSTT announced on Tuesday it had entered into a share purchase agreement (SPA) to purchase 100 per cent shareholding of Massy Communications.

“Mr Elias is forgetting that he is not running NH International. This is not his private domain.

“That is TSTT and as chairman of a State-owned entity with 51 per cent shareholding by the State. He has an obligation to account to the State and to the Parliament for whatever action is taken relative to TSTT's assets,” he said.

He said while the CWU had no problem with an acquisition that works in the best interest of the country, this was not the case with the TSTT/Massy agreement. He described as “very disturbing” the “shroud of secrecy” surrounding the deal.

He said TSTT only informed the union of the deal after it was announcement on Tuesday.

“We immediately said we want to meet. The meeting was supposed to be today. The company called and cancelled the meeting for today,” he said.

Remy said the onus is now on Elias to convince the nation TSTT's agreement with Massy is going to redound to the benefit of the workers of TSTT, Massy employees and citizens of Trinidad Tobago.

He pointed out it was also the most opportune time for Massy employees to “find themselves under the umbrella of the CWU”.

[hydroep]

Those Executive salaries...

He referred to Elias as a mouthpiece for the Prime Minister and claimed this was the reason PAEC member, Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste, failed to challenge his retrenchment comments at the meeting.

Seems like the union heads keep making excuses for this lady. Roget blamed Dr. Rowley and Colm for their situation, strategically exonerating his former compatriot as well. She has to be the quietest Minister of Labour we've ever had, which is surprising considering how vocal she was in the run up to the election.

[kstt]

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2017-05- ... staff-cuts



UTT hints at staff cuts


Published:
Saturday, May 13, 2017

The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), the country’s only indigenous university, has signalled that employees will be sent home because of financial constraints.

On Thursday memo to staff from the university’s Chairman, Ken Julien, stated there will be a “re-organisation” at the management level.

The memo, a copy of which was obtained by Guardian Media, stated because of the reduced State subvention for the period 2016/2017 and the need for UTT to embark on cost efficiency drive, the Board of Governors concluded on its March 24 meeting that “further steps are required to safeguard the university’s future.”

Some of the steps include re-organisation at the management level, salary cuts and seeking additional recurrent funding from the Government.

Julien told staff it was inevitable that the ongoing negotiations would lead to organisational stress.

“But these are very difficult times requiring difficult decisions and the Board remain very empathetic, in discharging its duties, to the challenging plight of all staff of the University. In this regard, an Employee Assistance Programme is available to staff to access,” the memo stated. The measures come even as UTT is about to embark on a re-accreditation exercise scheduled to begin in September.

UTT was originally set up because as late as 2000 only 7 percent of the country’s population had accessed higher education and it was meant to be an alternative to the University of the West Indies (UWI).

By 2010, UTT was accredited by the Accreditation Council of T&T and there now 13 campuses nationwide. The University has been on a cost cutting drive since October last year.

The memo was yesterday recalled after Education Minister Anthony Garcia got wind of it. He told CNC3 News that talks are ongoing at the university with regard to decisions to be made in light of the economic situation and less resources.

“I only became aware of that memo today and therefore in discussing this with the Vice Chairman, I have asked that the memo be withdrawn pending discussions with the university’s management and the board. It is the policy of this Government not to arbitrarily severe any one from his work. Therefore everything must be put in place to ensure that there is security of tenure,” he told CNC3.

Garcia also said that he had not seen the memo that went out on Thursday and asked for the memo to be withdrawn so that all stakeholders in UTT can enter into discussions on UTT’s future.

Garcia admitted that UTT is facing “financial difficulties.”

“We are experiencing some difficulties in terms of finance but we will want to put our heads together so that we could come up with innovative means whereby the University of Trinidad and Tobago could operate without any major disruption.”

This is not the first time that the issue of job losses has come up as last November, Ancel Roget, President-General of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) called upon the Government to say if workers will be sent home.

OWTU represents the majority bargaining unit at UTT. The University of the West Indies also recently complained of financial setbacks because Caribbean governments failed to inject over US$105 m.

[kstt]

NGC
EFCL

[hong kong phooey]

Govt to close CISL*

Published on Apr 30, 2017, 10:08 pm AST
By Asha Javeed
asha.javeed@trinidadexpress.com

The Government has earmarked another State enterprise for ­closure.
This time, it’s Couva-based Community Improvement Services Ltd (CISL).
The imminent closure comes weeks after an audit on the company was concluded by the Central Audit Committee of the Ministry of Finance.
In recent weeks, the Government announced the closure of three other State enterprises—Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, Caroni Green Ltd and Government Human ­Resources Ltd.
CISL, a special-purpose company set up in 2002, has 20 ­employees.
The Express understands CISL’s management was given notice two weeks ago from its line ministry, the Ministry of Community Development.

I'm not trivializing the fact that people are now out of work, but I'm not sure what this unit actually did? I live couva and only remember seeing these vans pass once or twice, and its been a long while since I've seen one or noted their presence. These random agencies that are just popping up and you don't quite know their purpose.

They are not so random and not new.
CISL was formed in 2002, SIDC was formed in 2006 with only Caroni Green being an initiative of the UNC sometime in 2012.

how much money is Petrotrin losing in a year ? Seeing that the population is not getting any subsidies it might be cheaper for us to import refined fuel Venezuela

[kstt]

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20170528 ... a-for-help

150 jobless doctors call on Carmona for help*
Published on May 28, 2017, 10:36 pm AST
By Leah Sorias
leah.sorias@trinidadexpress.com


Unable to get jobs in the public health sector, 150 medical doctors have taken their plight to President Anthony Carmona.
The doctors have told the President that because of their unemployment situation some of them have been forced to do menial jobs to survive, including working as clerks in stores.
They are concerned that the additional 150 new graduate doctors coming on stream from July this year will face the same dilemma.
According to a media release from the Office of the President, Carmona met with the doctors two weeks ago at his St Ann’s office, following a request from them via letter.
It said the doctors expressed “exasperation and a sense of hopelessness” and explained that their employment crisis stemmed primarily from the breakdown in the traditional apprenticeship system within the health sector.

[vaiostation]

^^^ some of those 150 medical doctors just need to humble themselves. Just because you have a degree or some other qualification doesn't mean you gonna get what ya want. Them probably expecting to be making a $40000 by sitting in air condition whole day just cause they think they deserve it?

[gencon]

Having qualifications doesn't mean you will get the job you want. Hard times for everyone. An upper class education never guarantees upper class employment.

[Monkey Man]

^^^ some of those 150 medical doctors just need to humble themselves. Just because you have a degree or some other qualification doesn't mean you gonna get what ya want. Them probably expecting to be making a $40000 by sitting in air condition whole day just cause they think they deserve it?

and this is not jus not any qualification within the academic world pal. these folks like every one else work veryy hard to get it.

you cannot blame them for being a little upset for spending 4+ years to "pack grocery shelf"

[adnj]

https://tradingeconomics.com/trinidad-and-tobago/forecast

[Dizzy28]

Why would the Govnt invest millions in training a doctor (the total cost to govnt per student in the MBBS programme is very high and probably the highest of all degrees locally) to let them sit home and salt?

Make no economic sense

[gencon]

Your implication is that they are entitled to something better. They have a strong sense of entitlement which quite sadly is not uncommon in the medical fraternity. This sense of entitlement is not grounded in reality.

[Cantmis]

What about all those expat doctors?

[Drea]

Yet every single one of them rush to pursue a degree in medicine, knowing the outcome. Every year the medical science faculty is filled and have a waiting list, the ones who mommy and daddy money get through easier and can open private practice, but the same ones who working in the store complaining about menial work, go abroad and do something there are other options. Come out of your comfort zone.

[kstt]

^^^ some of those 150 medical doctors just need to humble themselves. Just because you have a degree or some other qualification doesn't mean you gonna get what ya want. Them probably expecting to be making a $40000 by sitting in air condition whole day just cause they think they deserve it?

and this is not jus not any qualification within the academic world pal. these folks like every one else work veryy hard to get it.

you cannot blame them for being a little upset for spending 4+ years to "pack grocery shelf"

Exactly. It's not a normal degree, consider it a progression from a degree to masters then doctorate. In that sense u can see the amount of work they put in. Not everyone can save a life!

Why would the Govnt invest millions in training a doctor (the total cost to govnt per student in the MBBS programme is very high and probably the highest of all degrees locally) to let them sit home and salt?

Make no economic sense

Yet the Govt says it can't staff the children's hospital.

What I don't understand is why use taxpayers money to build the hospital and now want to give a private company to get a free building to charge the public to use.

Yet every single one of them rush to pursue a degree in medicine, knowing the outcome. Every year the medical science faculty is filled and have a waiting list, the ones who mommy and daddy money get through easier and can open private practice, but the same ones who working in the store complaining about menial work, go abroad and do something there are other options. Come out of your comfort zone.

Like you didn't understand the chart above. 4 years ago our country was not in this situation. They would have already started school. Seem u have a gripe because I thought doctors would get GATE back then and not have to depend on "mommy and daddy"

Like you cant make the grade.

[adnj]

The number of physicians (and hospital beds) per capita is a key economic development indicator in consideration of long-term bond risk and foreign investment ratings.

Why would the Govnt invest millions in training a doctor (the total cost to govnt per student in the MBBS programme is very high and probably the highest of all degrees locally) to let them sit home and salt?

Make no economic sense

[racedriverpro]

The number of physicians (and hospital beds) per capita is a key economic development indicator in consideration of long-term bond risk and foreign investment ratings.

Why would the Govnt invest millions in training a doctor (the total cost to govnt per student in the MBBS programme is very high and probably the highest of all degrees locally) to let them sit home and salt?

Make no economic sense

Past and present governments had/have the population where they want us. Dunno what all the beat up is abt.

[Redress10]

Some of alluh in here very myopic. People pursue tertiary education in order to ensure a better life. It really is that simple. It's up to the market and the government to ensure that opportunities are in line with salaries etc. What's the point of education if it doesn't ensure social mobility for a person. It's how things work. Anyone who pursues higher education should be encouraged. Most people here don't want to work in kfc. KFC salary can't raise a family. We need to stop blaming people because they pursued higher education. What we need to challenge is the notion of "links" and "having to know somebody" in order to get a job especially in the public sector that should be open to all citizens of trinidad. The answer is meritocracy. Our country is in chaos today because of square pegs in round holes. That is what we need to fight up against.

[Cantmis]

^^^^lol

[Redress10]

^^^^ If you feel that way, why not stop children from doing exams such as SEA from the age of 11. I agree with alot of you all. I don't think that having a degree should be the goal at the end of the day. In Germany they spend half the day doing something like a trade and the other half doing academics. I think that is the right balance. Until we figure out what we want from our education system we will be stuck in this rut. Let's be honest here, all those degrees those ppl collecting and they probably not even making 10k a month. That making sense?

[racedriverpro]

What we need to challenge is the notion of "links" and "having to know somebody" in order to get into med sci. The answer is meritocracy. Our country is in chaos today because of square pegs in round holes. That is what we need to fight up against.

[Redress10]

On another note....I spent a year and a half unemployed after getting my degree in Trinidad, went England and was employed within 6 weeks earning 55k pounds starting salary. My degree was in management from a top 10 university in UK. So a degree and employment goes hand in hand. In Trinidad, my options included ojt for 6k tt a month. Imagine that. Also my friend earns over 200k pounds a year before bonuses etc and lives in a penthouse. He has a degree and masters (Cambridge and Oxford qualifications). So, the point being a degree is suppose to bring better opportunity for the degree holder. It's just that Trinidad is a different kind of special country.

[sMASH]

Some of the new doctors said that they took on clerical positions.

Whether they were complaining or not, they literally HUMBLED them selves and took a paying job.
If they were actually feeling entitled, they would not take those portions and just wait until they get jobs.

And Many of u seem dumber than the resident monkey. The children put in a great amount work to become doctors, they put in a lot of money, the government put in money and resources, they have a lot of skill, knowledge and potential, and we have that doing clerical work.

Its not a matter of entitlement, it's a matter of making the best use of the resources available.

U can't tell the people we have a shortage of staff in the hospitals, a shortage of beds in the hospitals, then have a whole hospital collecting dust and doctors answering fones, because they need money to buy food.

[Redress10]

What we need to challenge is the notion of "links" and "having to know somebody" in order to get into med sci. The answer is meritocracy. Our country is in chaos today because of square pegs in round holes. That is what we need to fight up against.

Hahaha....You had me looking back to see if I actually wrote this yes....Nah is not just med sci. Granted every society has its notion of "who you know" but when that affects even the basic entitlements in society then that seriously disrupts the fabric of society and the job market. I think we just have it on steroids. I don't know any UK trained doctors who are at home after graduation. They are quickly employed by the nhs and if there are no spaces then they go to New Zealand or Australia. Seriously, we are in really bad shape if we are graduating doctors yearly and still can't deploy them to help out malfunctioning health system. Our leaders are truly professional failures.

[adnj]

For some people, education for the sake of education makes perfect sense.

Let's be honest here, all those degrees those ppl collecting and they probably not even making 10k a month. That making sense?

[Redress10]

^^^^Not when the degree holder is still in search of basic physiological needs.