The Palms Institution
– providing a safe and comfortable home for the elderly
A GINA feature by Azeem Khan
The Palms Geriatric Institution is the safe home for 214 indigent senior citizens, providing a comfortable environment, where they are given love and care.
The roots of the institution date back to 1874 when it was established as the ‘Alms House’ under British colonial rule. The Brickdam institution is fully funded by the Government of Guyana and is administered by the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security.
Renamed ‘The Palms’ in 1974, the institution provides free services to destitute senior citizens, and is the only such institution in the country. It has a bed capacity of 260 and is divided into eight wards, four each for males and females. The current population comprises 106 males and 108 females.
Admission
Entry to the facility is determined after applications are investigated by the social worker and an assessment conducted by the administrator, the matron, the medex and the Director of Social Services.
The two main criteria for admission are age and indigence, however, if persons are in abusive situations, the Palms facilitates them.
In some instances a review of the circumstances of some residents who have been admitted to the institution, may result in such persons being reintegrated into their families.
Residents better off
For Stella Stewart, who has been living there for many years, ‘everything is good’, and ‘things are better off than before’. She was high in praise for the treatment meted out to the residents.
Edward Omawale 72, corroborated Stewart’s sentiments, noting that the Palms is an institution ‘where people can get attention and care’.
Another male resident who prefers not to be named said, ‘I am comfortable here, thanks to the government for letting me stay here. I get enough care, food and attention.”
Accommodation is comfortable as the residents have good beds and can be involved in activities of their choice.
Activities
Under the supervision of the institution’s staff, some of the residents are engaged in craft activities while others read or exercise. There is a library and in addition, interested persons would normally come into the institution to read to the residents.
The institution has plans to set up a plot where active residents can engage in gardening.
Meeting their needs
Over the years, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration has upheld its commitment to ensuring that the needs of the needy are met and that their day to day survival is catered for. Medical, nursing and custodial care is among the services provided to the residents.
Administrator of the Palms, Mohammed Yassin explained that the provision of the dietary needs of the residents. Rehabilitative therapies for both residents and out patients are taken care of, while there is a medical referral service to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Additionally, the institution also caters for the removal and burial of deceased residents.
A full-time social worker deals with residents’ problems, and liaises with families and next of kin.
Physiotherapy, skin and public health clinics are available for residents and outpatients through a collaborative agreement between the Human Services and Health Ministries.
For the institution’s staff, there are provisions for in-house training and other opportunities for the promotion of public awareness programmes for the institution and the services offered.
Government has committed to improving social services for senior citizens and the needy, and will continue to enhance facilities and create the necessary environment to ensure they are comfortable.
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Slave Trade Motion passed with PPP/C proposed amendments
Georgetown, GINA, July 28, 2007
After hours of debate, the National Assembly passed and approved amendments to the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) African Slave Trade and Slavery Motion that was proposed by the People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
The Motion which was moved by PNC/R Member Deborah Backer seeks to have the National Assembly unequivocally acknowledge the immense debt that all Guyanese owe to the African ancestors and recognise the outstanding contributions they have made to the development of Guyana.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony said while government supports the Motion there is need for stronger words to be used in order to address the issue at hand. To this end, several minor amendments were made to the Motion.
The Motion also seeks to have an African Land Commission established to determine the issue of ancestral land rights of African Guyanese.
Prior to the passing of the Motion, Minister Anthony said government is cognisant that there may be some problems regarding titles, but there are provisions in place to address such issues.
“I don’t doubt that some villages may have an issue with title, but if we want to be practical, if we really want to help the householders that currently occupy those lands then I think the existing legislation already provide for the remedy ….I don’t think it’s necessary to form a national commission on this issue and if this is so important to the PNC/R, I wonder why it was not fixed 28 years ago?” Dr. Anthony queried.
In Chapter 6003 District Lands Partition and Re-Allotment Act and the Chapter 5905 speaks of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission which have mechanisms in place to deal with land issues.
PPP/C MP Odinga Lumumba during his presentation said the Motion should have focused more on the pains and struggle of Africans during the slavery days.
“Mr. Speaker, this debate cannot be about some lands to Buxton, Nabaclis and Victoria. It has to be about addressing the wrongs that have been carried out against African people and the millions who lost their lives. I also believe that like other Members of this House, the issue of land and the villages issues have to be dealt with at some point. I am from Buxton. We (Lumumba’s family) are large land owners and would like to see that resolve at some time, but we must be more concerned about narrow nationalism,” Lumumba said.
The Motion was also seeking for the National Assembly to urge the British government to enact measures to effect reparation to the descendants of the victims of the African Slave Trade and Slavery.
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United trade union body ideal for representation of workers’ rights
- President Jagdeo
Georgetown, GINA, July 28, 2007
The call for unison amongst trade union bodies of the country has been a constant feature of talks by Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo at all labour forums.
The call was no different when President Jagdeo addressed delegates of the Federation of Independent Trade Union of Guyana (FITUG) at its Conference held today at the Umana Yana.
“The divisions within the labour movement are a source of worry and not healthy for working class solidarity. It is unbefitting that the trade union movement remains divided. I am confident that given its unquestionable commitment to working class unity that even as FITUG takes strength … and strengthen its federation they should not lose sight of the goal of a united trade union movement, a high symbol of national trade union solidarity.”
President Jagdeo explained to the delegates that Government wishes to see a united trade union movement in which vested interest and over inflated egos do not hijack the legitimate function of the union which is to seek the betterment of all workers.
“True unity of the trade union movement demands greater democracy within the Guyana Trades Union Congress, it demands that leaders be increasingly drawn from unions and not to become figure heads with no union base or support from workers and to be accountable to their membership,” the Head of State opined.
He impressed that whilst Government supports efforts to achieve the unification and concomitant characteristics it brings, the realisation of such is the primary responsibility of the unions themselves.
The birth of FITUG in 1988 he said, “Coincided with trampling of workers’ rights and a corresponding decline in the economy, a situation that brought extreme hardship on all Guyanese…the courage of FITUG in unshackling itself from the then fossilized TUC was a defining moment for trade unionism in Guyana. It gave renewed vitality to the workers’ struggle and renewed hope to all workers.”
President Jagdeo lauded the fact that whilst FITUG seeks independently to strengthen its role it has never lost sight of the need for unity in the trade union movement. “Unity of the trade union movement was always the aspiration of FITUG,” he said.
The Head of State said, “While it has its starts and stops, FITUG has been in the forefront of the struggle for human dignity in Guyana …FITUG emerged at a critical juncture in our country’s history when the umbrella body for trade unions in the country, the Trade Union Congress had become enveloped and beholden to the paramountcy of an undemocratic government.”
The President saluted the heroic and inspirational struggles of the federation, for charting an independent, rational and realistic trade union.
The Conference themed “working together towards advancing workers’ interest in the present trade union environment”, the President said provides him with an opportunity to offer another perspective on issues raised.
He posited that it also aids in cementing the links between the four trade unions that constitute FITUG, allowing them through their deliberations to outline a clear vision for the promotion and protection of workers’ rights.
The President reiterated his government’s unwavering commitment to defending, protecting and improving the livelihood of the country’s working class.
“This has been a defining feature of the People’s Progressive Party. The economic policies that are being pursued by our government are intended to improve the livelihood of all workers. The principal objectives of our economic policies remain today the creation of more national wealth, the reduction of poverty and the overall improvement in the quality of life of citizens.”
FITUG’s President Grantley Culbard in his address said the labour federation is a stable component of organised workers in Guyana and cannot be taken lightly.
He recalled the motion passed at the last Conference to pursue the unification of trade union bodies in Guyana, as for too long the disunity amongst the labour groups has persisted with not much meaningful attempts were made to mend the breaches.
“The Leadership of the TUC scoffed at the efforts and took a position that FITUG does not exist therefore, it seemed to us they were not serious about unifying,” Culbard noted.
He reflected on the efforts of renowned Caribbean Trade Unionists who sought to mediate between the unions with a view to repairing the broken link, efforts which proved futile.
“In spite of the efforts we are still not close to re-uniting the movement. FITUG is willing but the TUC appears unwilling,” Culbard said.
He said at this year’s conference a similar motion will be put forward for TUC and FITUG to engage in meaningful dialogue, to which he expects “stout resistance from elements myopic in their thinking”.
Culbard raised a number of issues affecting workers within the federation to which the Head of State offered appropriate responses.
Komal Chand, FITUG’s first Vice President in his welcoming remarks said TUC and FITUG are in consultation to determine if a unified trade union body could once again be a feature of national life.
He said, “FITUG is here to stay; it is an important in the trade union body as it comprises four unions which represent the majority of organised workers in Guyana and operates in strategic institutions of the country.”
Also present at the 2nd delegates conference were former President Janet Jagan, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Donald Ramoutar, Ashton Chase, Ministers of Government responsible for Health, Labour, Culture Youth and Sport, Housing and Water and Home Affairs.
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Agri Minister reiterates sugar industry’s importance
-at Demerara Estates honours roll ceremony
Government, GINA July 28 2007
The sugar industry is one of the main contributors to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product and today Minister of Agriculture; Robert Persaud reiterated the sector’s importance, assuring that there will be no closure of any estates under the current administration.
“We are accelerating the programme to cushion the effects of the EU sugar regime which is expected to cost the Corporation between seven to eight billion dollars annually in reduced revenue. At the same time we continue to be a victim of the act of betrayal by the European Commission of the sugar protocol,” the Agriculture Minister said.
These remarks were made by the Minister at the Demerara Estates Honours Roll Ceremony for 2006, held at the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground, West Coast Demerara.
For some time, the European Commission has adopted, in a systemic manner, measures aimed at slowly wiping out the sugar protocol and the EC has been hinting its intention, Minister Persaud said.
“The European Commission has totally disregarded the joint commitments of Europe and the ACP states under these long standing inter-governmental trading agreements,” Minister Persaud added.
The administration is making the necessary interventions that will allow for a sustainable sugar industry which includes the $180M Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project, a packing plant at Enmore, a distillery and an ethanol plant which will ensure that the sugar industry is profitable and will reduce the cost of production while improving on productivity.
The outstanding work done by the champion workers were acknowledged and better relationship between management and workers were urged.
The Demerara Estates have experienced a number of challenges especially during the 2005/2006 floods. However GUYSUCO’s management has assured of a 25% rehabilitative cultivation on an annual basis.
This was achieved by maximising use of the Bell Cane Loader to buffer labour shortages and cane supply to the factories, converting traditional layouts to board beds to facilitate mechanisation operations, intensifying safety awareness among the work force and encouraging farmers to maintain high production levels.
The Demerara Estates are embracing the company’s strategic plan by working to improve their efficiency level as set out in the Agricultural Improvement Plan.
Among those present at the ceremony were Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ronald Ali, Chief Executive of GUYSUCO, Nick Jackson and Region Three Chairman, Julius Faerber.
Indar Singh and Andre Mingo were awarded as Champion workers for 2006.
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Miss Guyana World delegates pay courtesy call on President
Georgetown, GINA, July 28, 2007
Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo was today paid a courtesy call by four of the seven contending delegates for the Miss Guyana World Crown at State House.
Accompany the beauties was chaperon Ali Williams. The pageant will take place tomorrow at the Buddy’s International Hotel, East Bank Demerara.
Contestants will be judged in swimwear, evening segments and question and answer for the final three contestants.
The winner will represent Guyana and the first and second runners-up would compete in international pageants.
The seven ladies competing for the title are Sharmaine Richmond, Zamena Khan, Radha Charran, Candacie Charles, Leshaun Morgan, Pamela McLean and Sareeka Singh.
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Good faith negotiations with Government to benefit teachers’ pocket
- President announces more money for teachers
Georgetown, GINA, July 28, 2007
An announcement made today by Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo will see teachers taking home an additional sum of money as Government recognises their tremendous contribution and good faith in negotiating civilly with Government for their salary increase.
“Because the teachers were willing to come to the table and negotiate in good faith, without breaking the multi year package, we will be reviewing the salary that the teachers got for this year. Although it is not part of our agreement we are going to give them an increase on what they got.”
This was divulged by Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo at the 2nd Conference of the Federation of Independent Trade Union of Guyana (FITUG) held today at the Umana Yana.
He explained that the multi-year package Government signed with the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) which caters for a five percent increase with a one percent increment is a good and beneficial one, but good faith demonstrated has opened the avenue for more financial injections into the union.
The Head of State said it is hoped that other unions would follow the example set by the GTU.
“We hope that the other unions would consider especially those who work in the public sector, we have been trying to get the Public Service Union to do that for some while but it’s like pouring water on duck’s back,” President Jagdeo said.
The agreement involves a multi-year package (2006 to 2010) and includes the following:
- A 5 percent per annum across-the-board increase for all categories of teachers
- A 1 percent of the wage bill as a performance based increment per annum for eligible teachers
- Increased remuneration for teachers who have improved their qualifications
- An annual clothing allowance for teachers of $6,000 per teacher
- One-off duty free concessions for vehicles for 100 Head Teachers per year
- A housing revolving fund of $40M per year for 2006-2010, that is, $200M by 2010 to facilitate construction of houses for teachers
- 25 Government-sponsored scholarships per year for teachers at the University of Guyana.
Wages and salaries for teachers have grown by over 700% during the three successive PPP/C Governments (1992 – 2006). Training opportunities have grown and their working environment is more modern and better resourced.
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