Archive for August, 2008
Forbes over first Olympic ‘hurdle’
(CNS): Breaking his own personal best of 13.63 with a time of 13.59 Ronald Forbes (2nd left) has made it through to the quarter finals in his Olympic 110 metre hurdles debut. Finishing fifth in his own heat with a Cayman Islands national record, Forbes was placed 19 out of 43 to make the top 32. “It’s a new national record and I think the race went real well,” said Forbes.
Forbes has been out of competition for several weeks struggling to a beat a foot injury. "It could have been better but I only had about two weeks of solid practice and am still not fully recovered, but the time speaks for itself. It was my best effort.”
Forbes’ coach Kenrick Williams was delighted with his performance and noted that the young athlete had reduced his time from 14.28 to 13.59 in less than twelve months .”It’s tremendous work and it shows tremendous ability, we could not have asked for more. He has made a personal record at his first Olympics,” said Williams.
Forbes too said that anyone who knew about times in the 110m hurdles would recognise that shaving that much off in less than year was a significant achievement.
“Anyone who knows about time knows that’s like a bus length,” said Forbes, who acknowledged that many of the athletes in Beijing have more experience than him but it wasn’t going to stop him from putting in his best performance. Having broken his current best time, which he set at the NCAA nationals in Iowa in June, Forbes said he would be aiming for another PB and to correct the mistakes he believes he made in the first round in the next race.
The Olympic record holder and the man tipped for the top spot, China’s Liu Xiang, stunned the audience when he hobbled out of his heat with an injury, but Forbes said he would not be distracted by the situation regarding other athletes.
“We are all fierce competitors here and who ever gives the best effort walks away with it,” he said.
Forbes will make his next Olympic appearence in the quarter finals on Tuesday. (Photos: Shurna Robbins)
Texaco says rules won’t help
The country’s second local fuel supplier has now raised its concerns over government’s decision to introduce regulations regarding the way fuel is priced. Chevron Caribbean Inc, trading under the Texaco brand name in the Cayman Islands, said in a statement that regulation would not be the best way to resolve the problems of rising fuel costs.
"Although sensitive to the Government’s concern over the high fuel prices, regulation is not the best way to address the matter, since it will not allow market forces to work in favor of the consumer,” the oil firm said.
Chevron specified that prices are posted at all Texaco service stations so consumers can have information that allows them to make their decision on where to purchase gas. That makes competition react, getting the market working for the consumer. The company explained that their prices are based on the cost of the product in the international market, which has been rising since the beginning of the year, influenced by several factors such as the weakness of the US dollar and fundamental factors that impact the balance of supply and demand of crude oil, making product prices reach record levels this year.
Echoing the sentiments made by Alan Neesome, Country Manager of Esso, that the current volatility in the oil market is a worldwide problem, Texaco said the issue was a global phenomenon, not only impacting the Cayman Islands.
Last week Neesome told CNS that government’s decision to have oil distributors notify the Chief Petroleum Inspector before increasing their prices goes against the principles of a free market. He said it was biased against the oil companies, but above all it would not address the problem of escalating fuel costs.
“Competition is to the benefit of all consumers and Governments must promote equal treatment among market players, industries, technologies and favour policies that enhance competitiveness,” he said.
Government announced plans at the weekly cabinet press briefing to amend the Dangerous Substances Handling and Storage Law (2003) to regulate the process by which the two wholesale distributors of gasoline and diesel and any other future distributor could increase their prices. The oil distributors will have to notify the Inspector in writing of plans to increase fuel, and failure to notify the Inspector could result in a fine of $10,000. Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts explained that the Inspector would be required to consider relevant factors, which may include data provided by the wholesalers, or public interest in making his decisions and if wholesalers are dissatisfied they would be able to appeal.
“Oil prices are siphoning money out of everyone’s pockets,” said Tibbetts. This government’s foremost responsibility is to look after the welfare of its citizens, and this is exactly what we hope to do with these amendments.”
However, Neesome noted that comparisons between regulated oil markets with free markets reveal that consumers are best served by allowing market forces to determine fuel prices.
“Government policies that minimise interference in the free market system are the best course to ensure adequate supplies,” added Neesome. He explained that while many people assume wholesale or retail regulations protect consumers from higher prices, he said that more often than not such market distortions undermine service, supply and reliability by encouraging gasoline consumption and discouraging investment, but above all the government would not prevent international price variation from impacting local prices.
Cubans repatriated
(CNS): Fifteen Cuban migrants were repatriated Friday, 15 August, bringing the total number sent back to Cuba this year to 27. According to the Immigration Department, 92 Cuban migrants were repatriated last year, 104 were repatriated in 2006, and 122 were repatriated in 2005. Eighteen migrants remain at the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC).
Those still detained will be repatriated once permission to do so is received from the Cuban government. The migrants are returned under the consitions specified in the 1999 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Cuban and Cayman governments.
Under current government policy, introduced in January 2005, officials are required to give boat people a choice: either no help at all or assistance followed by incarceration and repatriation. Before these guidelines were introduced, the Cubans were often given food, water and fuel, as well as help with minor repairs, and allowed to go on their way.
Money heads for offshore havens
(Financial Times): Tax dodgers are transferring money from Liechtenstein to Panama, Singapore and other secretive offshore centres, intelligence from foreign tax authorities shows. One official said the switch had been prompted by the greater focus on evasion after the theft of client details from LGT and Liechtensteinische Landesbank. The banks themselves have said little about the extent of outflows from the principality. Go to article
Cyclist dies following collision
(CNS): A cyclist who was seriously injured in a collision on the evening of Tuesday, 5 August, died in hospital today (Friday, 15 August). Artes Lopez Manalang, a Filipino national residing in Grand Cayman, had been cycling past Kirks Supermarket on North Church Street at 9:20 pm when the collision with a red Honda civic occurred.
Traffic Management Unit officers conducting the investigation are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the collision to come forward. Anyone who can assist should contact the Traffic Management Unit on 946-6254 and ask for Sergeant Ivan Wedderburn. The RCIPS sends its condolences to the victim’s friends and family.
Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling crime stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.
Trinidad speeds up offshore centre plans
(Jamaica Gleaner): Port-of-Spain has announced initial agreements in principle to kickstart its offshore centre business, but sees the greatest opportunity in the Middle East where US$1 trillion is at play. Minister of Finance, Karen Nunez Tesheira, said Trinidad and the Dubai International Financial Center, have already formalised a partnership. Got to article
Global warming will do little to change hurricane activity, according to new model
(Science Daily): In a study published in the July 2008 issue of Geophysical Research Letters, Drs. David S. Nolan and Eric D. Rappin from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science describe a new method for evaluating the frequency of hurricane formation in present and future tropical climates.
Liechtenstein to join fight against tax evasion
(Daily Telegraph): Alpine tax haven Liechtenstein is expected to announce a crackdown today on wealthy foreigners whohide cash in its banks. Prince Alois, the ruler of the tiny state that is sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, is due to reveal plans for greater transparency in its banking system in a national speech. Go to article
Contractors impatient for Builders Board
(CNS): The Cayman Contractors Association (CCA) has received increasing input from contractors that they are impatient to get registration in place for a Builders Board, a key provision of the Builders Law passed in March 2007, and has been working with government accordingly. “Creating an entirely new Board is a slow process,” said CCA President Steve Hawley (left) on behalf of the Association.
“A Chair must be found who is regarded by all as being responsible, impartial, organized, good at understanding Law and prepared to work hard for the sake of the community. That’s a lot to ask and such individuals are invariably very busy people. It can take months to secure a Chair. After his appointment, the Chair works with government to fill the positions of the other Board members. Both the CCA and the Builders Bill Committee have offered to assist in this. Both bodies have already offered lists of recommendations and alternates.”
The CCA has asked government to resolve the appointment of the Chair by September, Hawley said. “If we all work together on appointing the other members, we may be able to create a Board in as little as a month. It’s important to bear in mind that the first choice for each position may well be too busy and even if he is prepared to consider it, he may need some time to make up his mind. In the meantime, an alternate cannot be pursued. It is easy for the process to take quite an extended period of time, if it is not followed up on diligently.”
As to the initial functions of the Board, Hawley said that, with an entirely new Board, members could not rely on the previous year’s members to educate them as they go along. Therefore, the first task would be to educate the entire Board in the Law.
“The Builders Board Committee has, thankfully, offered to educate them. It will take several sessions for the new Board to understand the intent of each and every clause in the law, in addition to its actual wording,” he noted. In addition, the Board will need to create all the forms to be used. Hawley said the Committee had drafted forms that the Board might consider, and that hopefully, these would be adequate. The Board would also have to offer the approved forms for distribution to potential applicants, he said.
“Following distribution, it may take the average contractor two to three months to secure all the relevant references and other paperwork. Only then will he be ready to make his application. This means that no applicant will actually be approved by January first, 2009. If the Board is appointed, say, in October, we may see the review of the first applications in March,” Hawley pointed out.
The CCA has been advised by government that the Board has not been appointed as yet because they were waiting until they could secure premises for the Builders Board before dealing with the other needs. “Although this has taken a long time, apparently premises are now secured and the Board will soon be appointed,” he said.
“Hurricane Ivan demonstrated that if we, as contractors, are performing work that is beyond our knowledge, beyond our financial or infrastructural capability, or if we are otherwise irresponsible, the public suffers. Many people lost their life savings to irresponsible builders following Ivan. The Builders law exists to protect the consumer. Without this Law in place, if we have another Ivan, the public will be victimized once again,” Hawley explained.
“As it is written, it is a tough law, but a fair one. It has taken into account all the concerns of all parties. It is balanced and, as such, has received the praise of the construction industry and the public alike. This is a direct result of the present government partnering with the private sector in the drafting stage. The method of drafting this law is a model for responsible future legislation,” he said.
The CCA is expecting that there will be those who will apply for licenses for which they are not qualified at the level they are seeking. “If the Board is a just one, they will award the license that is appropriate to the experience, finances and infrastructure of the company in question.” He said some applicants would be disappointed and some might even be angry that they did not get whatever they wanted.
“Again, if the Board is a just one, it will offer advice to applicants as to how they can advance their position in the future. The Board should only restrict contractors as much as necessary for the public good. It should then exist to encourage young, up-and-coming Caymanians in the industry to advance when they have proven they are ready.”
While Hawley said he generally presents the collective view of the CCA, on a personal note he said the Builders Bill Committee was the best committee he had ever served on.
“Each member of the committee dedicated himself to the task at hand. Each was impartial and no member brought a personal agenda to the committee. It was particularly rewarding that all members were so conscientious with regard to smaller builders, for whom the business world is usually new and intimidating. The committee took a great deal of time to provide a law that would be encouraging to young Caymanian entrepreneurs,” Hawley said.
The Builders Law will come into force on a date set by Order of the Governor, and different dates may be appointed for the coming into force of various provisions of the law.
A liberal wish-list?
Once the Universal Declaration of Human Rights gets past all the basic, fundamental rights that nobody could seriously object to, it starts on less important concerns. It becomes more of a liberal wish-list.
Social security, full employment, decent wages, paid holidays… Those aren’t fundamental rights like the right to life, liberty, freedom of speech and freedom from torture. At least, so some commentators believe.
But that claim overlooks the theme that runs through the entire Declaration – namely, the ideal of an existence worthy of human dignity for all people. No one of the declared rights stands in isolation; the same theme connects all of them. Some rights are more important than others, but it is only a difference of degree.
The right to marry and have children may be less vital than the right to life; freedom of expression may beless valued than freedom from torture. But the Declaration is not in the business of drawing distinctions; every one of its Articles is concerned with protecting people’s right to dignity – giving them respect. It’s not enough just to let them live.
The Declaration – a statement of ideals – sets implied limits on the exploitation of individuals within the respective jurisdictions of United Nations member-states’. Article 24 declares that people shouldn’t be made to work every waking hour, for a wage that barely keeps them alive. They shouldn’t be tossed away to die in the street, when they are too sick or too old for productive employment. They shouldn’t have to sell their children into prostitution or some other kind of slavery.
Those are pretty fundamental concerns, not to be dismissed as a liberal wish-list.
It is worth noting that employers are not parties to the Declaration, or any of the human-rights Conventions. The UN is not some kind of World Government. It puts the onus on its member-states to keep their corporate citizens in line, as well as individuals in a position to exploit other individuals.
The UN doesn’t tell its members what specific action to take, and it doesn’t set precise standards. It wouldn’t make sense to fix an international minimum wage that was applicable in both Sweden and Haiti, for instance. All the Declaration says is: do your best.
If the government of one member-state thinks paid employees should not be required to work more than forty hours a week, or eight hours a day, that’s fine. If the government of another thinks the limit should be eighty or ninety hours a week, well, that’s acceptable though maybe not "fine". How many hours should a goat-herder have to work in Kenya? Who knows?
There are some security guards in Cayman, and some live-in helpers, who work eighty or ninety hours a week. That’s acceptable to the FCO – maybe they even think it’s "fine". Who knows?
How much is a fair wage? It varies from place to place, and depends on the culture. Article 23 sensibly refers to "remuneration", not "wage". Low-paid workers in Cayman may receive a reasonable wage, but is it high enough to pay their airfares to and from Manila or Bombay if they lose their jobs after a year? One wrong step, one protest about unpaid wages – maybe even one call to meet with the Chief Immigration Officer – and they could be out five thousand dollars in unreimbursed airfares. It’s not really that far from slavery, is it?
The FCO’s policy of allowing the exploitation of migrant workers in Cayman is disgraceful by any objective standard. That our MLAs condone it, goes a long way to explaining the disrespect in which they are held by those of us who believe in the moral need to preserve the inherent dignity of all men and women.