BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 16th October 2020) – Labour Commissioner Shernel James has informed that additional steps have been introduced so as to protect the integrity of processing claims received thus lengthening the time frame in handling such before payments can be made.

“…to protect the integrity of the processing claim, we would have introduced additional steps and that is why it is taking a little bit longer for a number of claims to process. The process is manual and so it takes some time, and the Department of Labour apologises to those persons who would have put in claims since May and have not receive any payment to date but I will like to assure persons that all claims that came in from May to August 31st would have gone through the processing stage.”

James made the disclosure on while appearing on the weekly ‘Leadership Matters’ aired on ZIZ on Tuesday 13th October 2020 while speaking on the topic of social protection in pointing out that the Department of Labour administers under its Social Protection Unit two schemes designed to reduce poverty and the vulnerability of workers namely the Severance Payment Fund and Long Service Gratuity Scheme.

In her presentation, she gave a detailed breakdown of how the claims are being processed at the various stages including being verified by the Ministry of Finance, the Accountant General Department and the government’s Integrated Treasury Management System (ITMS) and calling persons in by appointment to receive the necessary letter.

“As a result of the global pandemic and the closure of our borders, many industries were reduced or forced to close pointing out that some went on reduced hours and reduced pay. Two of the most affected areas included the hotel, restaurant and tourism sector and the manufacturing sector. However, we realized that a number of small businesses were impacted and many of these closed operations,” she commented.

According to James, as of the 12th of October, the total number of claims received at the Department of Labour is 1855 claims and at least 620 have been processed.

She said the department has been “working tirelessly during the weeks on overtime and on weekends and even on public holiday to process these claims in ready for payment.”

“To date, we have processed at least 620 of these claims and these were persons employed in the hotel tourism sector as these were the most affected workers who are still presently out of a job. Government- infused the severance payment fund in an amount of $11.1 million dollars and to date we have paid out roughly 250 claims.”

The Labour Commissioner continued: “We are still going through the process because as we would have realized to ensure that there is clarity and as well as to ensure that these claims meet the requirement, additional steps were added by our Department of Labour based upon recommendation of the Director of Audit , the Accountant General Department and the Ministry of Finance and so it takes a longer time in terms of when a claim would be received at the Department of Labour  to the time of payment of these claims. When a claim is submitted to us, we look for when we receive them…completed claim forms.”

We ask for a copy of the claimant social security identification card, letters of termination or letters of lay off and a copy of the claimant’s social security contribution statement.

The processing claim includes documentation of the claim when it is received by the Department of Labour, and this is added to our database. We also look for the case validity of these claims; whether it is a legitimate claim or hoax claim, and we also take the opportunity to prepare a file jacket from this claim. The claim then goes on for investigation. Once it has been investigated using the Social Security contribution statement which means the preparer will have to go through each claim for all the years the worker would have claimed on the file form. Once that has been verified, we then calculate it. After the calculation process, the claim is then verified by one of the verifiers at the Department of Labour, and we have four of them to date

As informed by her, once it has been verified in accordance with the law, the Labour Commissioner who is given authority under the law then approves the claim.

James said the claim then goes on for further verification by the Ministry of Finance and that once it would return, it then goes to the Accountant General Department which is further verified again. After the verification process is completed, the claim goes through the government ITMS system and payment is made by cheque.

As highlighted further, once that cheque has been put through the system, the Department of Labour prepares the necessary documentation where we call persons in by appointment where they’ll receive the necessary letter which would outline the status of their claim, how it was processed, the amount they would receive etc. and then if they have any sort of queries, we would answer same.

James told that the Severance payment fund is going through an actuarial review.

“Some was done in 2018 but the scope has been widened and so, it is going to be looking at the validity of the severance payment fund.”

Meanwhile, workers, employers or concerned persons who have questions regarding their severance payment claim are asked to contact the Labour Department at 467-1100 or 662- 2075.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 16^th October 2020) – Officials say the beach at the southern section of Frigate Bay will be wider and longer for the comfort of beach goers after the $4 million beach enhancement project, currently underway, is completed in mid-January 2021.

“Basically, this end of the beach is the best end of the beach. It’s practically the only end of the beach that you can swim on right now so what we’re trying to do is remedy the central and southern portions of the beach so by the time that we’re done, you can basically swim at the central and swim at the southern portions because the beach nourishment process would basically cover …there’s a reef that lying along the beach there that makes it difficult for beach goers to enjoy the beach,” explained Gregoire Williams of Trans-Global Engineering Ltd.

He made the disclosure during a media walkthrough tour, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, to provide an overview on the progress on renovations of the Frigate Bay Strip conducted on Friday 9th October 2020.

Williams went on further to talk about covering the beach as he pointed out the experience of beach goers having to step over stones, and as a result most people go to Cockleshell Beach and other beaches.

“But once we’re finished, it would complement the work that’s being done on the landslide of the beach,” he added.

The work being carried out involves two local contractors with Rock and Dirt Construction Ltd. handling the land side work and St.Kitts Marine Works for the marine-based work with combined project cost in the region of $4 million. 

The project is estimated to be about four months with work having started late September and should be completed around mid-January 2021.

Williams said that it is a three-step process which involves an off shore break water, onshore groynes and beach nourishment process.

“The offshore breakwater is basically to attenuate the wave energy in the central and southern portions of the beach. The groynes , those are basically to anchor the beach nourishment  as well as stop the longshore movement  of the sediment once the material is placed, and the final step is the beach nourishment process which is basically dredging and pumping the sand so that you can have a widened beach and something that the public would be pleased with.”

According to him, the beach would be 50 meters once completed from the crest of the beach back to the beach bars.

Asked by this reporter about what considerations are made carrying out such works in a natural environment, he commented: “There would be silk fences installed around the work area so that any material that is wash up from the dredging process would be captured by the silk fences and those would be disposed of so it wouldn’t affect the marine environment.”

Along the tour, Williams talked about the first step of the process.

“Rock and Dirt would deliver the stones at the drop site. They would then place it in a wash pit which would basically remove all the mud and debris from the quarry because it’s an environmentally friendly project. Once that is removed, they’ll take it and stockpile it and then the second contractor which is St.Kitts Marine Works, they would load it on the barge, take it off site and then construct the break water.

Media workers were also shown the Wash Pit which he said is basically a riprap slope.

“… the stones at the bottom a pit was excavated in the sand, lined with stones and put a geotextile material so that when the material is washed off it would be trapped in the geotextile and it can be removed safely off site and disposed of.”

He also touched on pumping of salt water used to wash the material off the stones noting that in the background there is a barge which then loads then on the barge and then takes them off shore for the construction of the submerged breakwater. He said the entire process is all below the  surface of the low water level so basically what they’ll be doing is working in the background so even though the structure is there, you wouldn’t be able to see them because it would sit basically one foot below  the finish water level and one foot below the sand level.

As told by him, off shore for the break waters, there would be two 80 metres in length;  one starting off Boozies On The Beach and then the other one would start off of Patsy’s Beach Bar.

For the groynes, he said  there would be three with one directly off of Inon’s that would be about 25metres out, another one in between Patsy’s and Oceans Beach Bar at 25 metres and another one in between Chinchilla’s and Shiggidy Shack which is 30 metres out. 

Meanwhile Minister of Tourism Lindsay Grant told reporters that the work being done is an extension of what has been going on for the last year or two with the Strip development. As pointed out by him, however, the work on the Strip and the current enhancement project are separate.

“The objective is to enhance the beach. As you heard the technocrats say, we’re going to get a longer beach, a wider beach; a beach more pleasing on the feet of the swimmers who come here daily. We felt it necessary because we feel this is one of the iconic beaches in St.Kitts and Nevis and we must preserve it. Had we not moved to preserve this beach, the beach as you recognise has already been eroding significantly. We also see the same development in the Friars Bay area, and we intend after we would have completed this, and made sure that’s it in good standing t then move to the Friars Bay area; all in an attempt to preserve our beaches which are significant for our tourism industry.”

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 16th October 2020)- Pedestrians and motorists reacted out of curiosity to blaring sirens and the roles carried out by traffic wardens, police officers among others participants during a Flood Hazard Simulation Exercise of the College Street and Westbourne Ghaut in Basseterre conducted on Saturday 10th October 2020.

The exercise, organised by The St. Kitts & Nevis Red Cross Society (SKNRCS) in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) kicked off early that morning.

According to NEMA, the event formed part of the SKNRCS ongoing Education programme funded under the Capacity Building Initiative (CBI) for Disaster Preparedness and Response for National Societies within the Caribbean.

More details on the simulation exercise to be provided in a follow-up report.

Meanwhile, on another note touching on the general topic of disaster preparedness, Director of the Nevis Disaster Management Department (NDMD) Brian Dyer during a presentation at Nevis’ COVID-19 Emergency Centre Operations Briefing at Long Point on Monday 12th October for International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR) – observed on 13th October- spoke about the aim to promote a global culture of disaster reduction including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

“The event solidifies the global process and achievements thus far towards the Sendai Framework Seven Global Targets to be achieved by the year 2030,” he told.

Dyer continued: “Held on the 13th of October, the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction began in 1989. This day celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters, and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks they face.

 “It is also an opportunity to acknowledge the substantial progress being made toward the reduction of disaster risk, losses in lives, livelihoods and health. Additionally, it also measures the progress made in the economic, physical, social, cultural, environmental and assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries.”

According to him, the need to build our resilience and reduce the vulnerability of our society has now become more crucial than ever.

“The response to the COVID pandemic and a record setting year for the most named storms in the Tropical Atlantic, has the potential to overwhelm our island’s limited resources and exceed our capacity to cope with the new challenges.”

 “It is imperative therefore, that we are armed with the knowledge of what to do before, during and after each impact. Our vulnerability to disasters can only be minimized through effective risk reduction and maximising the use of our resources,” he added. Dyer appealed “ to everyone to act responsibly, join the effort of building a resilient nation. So, let’s plan, prepare and protect!”

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 9th October 2020) – Minister of Culture Jonel Powell says a virtual calendar will be released shortly for Sugar Mas 49.

“This will showcase unique elements of our culture and will include aspects of Christmas festivities.”

Powell made the disclosure during a statement on Sugar Mas 49 delivered on Friday 2nd October 2020, having made the announcement that traditional events for carinal are cancelled this time around due to COVID-19.

“Over the past few months, the St. Kitts-Nevis National Committee has had several consultations with key carnival stakeholders and is already ahead with the planning of this year’s Sugar Mas carnival event. The reality of COVID-19 is that times are uncertain and challenging. Having considered the health and safety of the citizens and residents of the Federation as well as the unpredictability of the pandemic, the Committee with the approval of Cabinet has made the decision to cancel traditional events for this year’s National Carnival which would attract mass gatherings such as all pageants, J’ouvert, grand parade and Las Lap celebrations. “

He added: “Our National Carnival was established with the aim of highlighting our arts, music and folklore and in so doing uniting our people as such, the committee along with its partners intend to create a virtual events that are new and creative as well as scaled back activities for end of year celebration. This new virtual format will allow the St.Kitts-Nevis National Carnival Committee to showcase our unique carnival production to our citizens and residents and a more diverse and wider ranging global audience.”

The virtual calendar, he informed, will be done by the St.Kitts-National Carnival Committee in partnership with Industry Creatives.

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 9th October 2020)- Courts (St.Kitts-Nevis) Ltd. is offering relief to customers directly and indirectly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through its newly-launched Ready Finance CREDI-CARE initiative.

At a ceremony held on Wednesday 7th October 2020 at its home goods store located on the Bay Road in Basseterre, Country Manager, Trudy Lewis-Allen said that Courts had frozen the account of people who were experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19.

She stated that no additional charges or penalties would be imposed on these customers for two months in the first instant and can be extended to four months, if the need arises.

However, Lewis-Allen indicated that the company has now made a move to assist challenged customers through its Courts Ready Finance CREDI-CARE initiative. A number of options are on offer, designed to cater for all customers.

Meanwhile Credit Manager Janise Charles, explained the workings of the Courts Ready Finance Credi-Care programme. On offer is 100% waiver – with options to reduce your monthly installments, Consolidate your debt and monthly payments, refinance and shop for what you need and immediately restore your credit rating.

She indicated that in some cases, the company will pay the insurance to ensure that customers’ credit ratings remain in good standing. Charles encouraged all customers to visit the store and talk to any member of staff.

In closing, Lewis-Allen advised anyone who may be affected by the present situation to come in and make a plan. She said that even if you are working and someone else in your household has dealing with Courts, the offer is extended to you also.

“Courts will assist. We have personalized solutions to help service your accounts and restore your credit,” she said.

Courts Ready Finance Credi-Care will run for 12 months initially.