It Is Wrong For People To Act In A Job For An Extended Period

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I received a report from members in the diaspora that the principal of the Treadways Primary in Clarendon has been acting for five years without the extra pay, which is due to someone acting in that position.

I have been informed by a reliable source that a new school board will be appointed and the matter dealt with. I also understand that Councillor Tanyalee Williams of the May Pen Division and the mayor of May Pen, Joel Williams, have been on top of the situation.

There is this case of the head of a major government organization who was in an acting position for, I believe, ten years. There is another case where someone was transferred from one municipality to another, and another staff member has to be acting in the vacant position for an extended period. 

Having the heads of entities and staff members act for an extended period is a bad management practice. There will be a tendency for the acting head to be manipulated. The acting head will in some situations, be timid to make certain decisions in the interest of the organization. This would be due to the fact that the person does not enjoy security of tenure in the post. We must stop this practice NOW!  Are we going to give these actors Grammy Awards?

I will not call this practice human trafficking, but it is a very poor labour practice. Sir Alexander Bustamante would not support this. Those who are in charge are sleeping on the job.

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More On The Termination Of The Cuban Medical Programme In Jamaica

Press Release From The Ministry of Health, March 7, 2026

Minister Kamila Johnson-Smith

Jamaica has always valued the contribution of the Cuban medical professionals who have served our people with dedication, skill, and compassion. Cuban nurses, doctors and technicians from the neighbouring island are treated by the Government of Jamaica with respect, care, and appreciation. 

It is widely known that the United States government has publicly raised concerns about the operation of the medical programme globally, including a denial of access to travel documents, restricted freedom of movement and salary payment matters.  The Government considered it necessary to review the existing arrangements to ensure compliance with domestic and international legal obligations.  Other countries in the region have done the same.   

Following the review, it was confirmed that were no issues with treatment on the job, accommodation, leave entitlements or freedom of moment in Jamaica.  It however revealed two issues which required immediate attention. 

Among the concerns identified was the fact that Cuban personnel were not in possession of their own passports. Once that was brought to the Government’s attention, immediate steps were taken to correct it.  The issue was raised with Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency as well as the Cuban authorities locally to ensure that all personnel were allowed to hold their passports.   

More fundamentally, the Government also discovered that salary payments for Cuban medical personnel, while calculated at the same level as their Jamaican counterparts, were being made by Jamaica to the Cuban authorities in US dollars. The only payments made directly by the Government of Jamaica to the personnel themselves, were overtime payments. Even more concerning, there was no contractual provision specifying what share of those salary payments was to be paid to the workers. That arrangement raised serious concerns under Jamaican labour and tax laws as well as under international labour conventions. 

The Government chose the path of respectful engagement and quiet diplomacy. 

Beginning in July of last year, Jamaica commenced formal discussions with the Cuban authorities aimed at restructuring the arrangement to ensure compliance with Jamaican law and international conventions, which require that workers be paid directly and have control of their travel documents.  

Following Cabinet discussions, a formal proposal was made in October, and this was followed up by a further formal communication in December. These efforts were reinforced by direct enquiries to both former and current Cuban Ambassadors, as well as informal engagements at the Ministerial level. 

For absolute clarity, the Government of Jamaica proposed continuation of the programme with adjustments. It remains disappointed that despite these repeated efforts, no substantive response was ever received whether verbally or in writing from Cuba.  

At the same time, Jamaica became aware that other Caribbean countries had arrangements under which Cuban medical personnel were paid directly. That made it even clearer that a lawful and transparent alternative was possible. 

Unfortunately, the continued lack of response had the practical effect of preserving an arrangement that Jamaica could not justify. Given our legal obligations, our duty to ensure fairness to workers in Jamaica, and the need for compliance with our own laws and international conventions, the Government ultimately concluded that continuation on the existing terms was untenable. 

Jamaica’s position is therefore clear: we value the contribution of Cuban medical personnel, we respect the Cuban people, and we remain committed to cooperation. However, no programme operating in Jamaica can continue on terms that are inconsistent with Jamaican law and international conventions. 

The Government of Jamaica is disappointed that the Cuban government has chosen to withdraw their medical personnel when all that is required is for them to agree to terms which they have already accepted with other Caribbean countries. 

#MinistryOfHealthAnd Wellness

Editor's note:

Visit this blog and watch the video

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Gem Myers, Jamaican's Leading Song Bird For Jazz In The Gardens

 

Jem Myers is one of Jamaica's talented performers, who has toured the world with the world-famous band Fab 5. Her voice range and superior breath control will mesmerize you. When she hits the stage, her beauty and her outstanding outfits remind you of someone ready to enter Miss World.

It is not often that Jamaicans get to see a talent like Gem Myers. She has spent many years honing her craft, and she never fails to give you a top-class show. Some of you have not seen her perform in a long time. Now is the time to catch her at one of those rare performances.

Gem Myers will be the main highlight of Jazz In The Gardens on March 29. For those who say that it is difficult to find a show with classy performances, you cannot afford to miss this show. You will remember hits such as 'One Man Woman' and 'Gimme Good Loving.'

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What’s Happening, March 6, 2026

Sentencing Of A Politician For Manslaughter!

I know your mind is occupied with the sentencing of Joylan Silvera for manslaughter. Jamaica is definitely a criminal's paradise. This man was an MP and a member of the PNP. Once again, the people are being punished for a crime committed by a lying criminal who has the funds to employ the best lawyer to represent him.

The public has had to bear the cost of the case. There is the cost of the DPP and her staff, the investigating police officers, the Chief Justice, and all other costs, such as administrative costs resulting from the trial. The convicted criminal will spend approximately twenty years being maintained by the state. This will include medical expenses and expenses to keep him in prison. I would love someone to carry out a study to find out the total costs for this case and his incarceration.

The cost could help a homeless person. That reminds me of the homeless man I saw on Hope Road, sitting on the sidewalk in the rain. His only cover from the rain was the hair on his head. The death penalty for Silvera would have saved the people of Jamaica a significant amount of money. The convict had friends to say good things about him in court. Did the victim have any friends to speak on her behalf in court? Dead man tells no tale.

Can you imagine someone murdering another human being and then pleading guilty to a manslaughter charge to ensure that he gets a slap on the wrist and gets a free stay in his majesty's hotel?  Amazingly, one can take away another person's life and continue to enjoy his or her life. Long live the murderers. They have support all over the place, and the victim has little support.

JUTC Bus Caught Fire

I just heard that a JUTC bus caught fire by the AtC hotel in Kingston. I have no further details at this time and am awaiting additional information from JUTC. If you have any information about the incident, including pictures, please send it to 876-816-5261.

Incident in Lane Plaza Liguanea

There was an accident involving a motorcyclist and another vehicle in Lane Plaza in Kingston yesterday afternoon. The driver of the motorcycle had to be rushed in an ambulance to the hospital. Can you imagine the speed at which they were driving in a plaza?

Student Kills Another Student

You probably heard about a student killing another student at a high school. We cannot have our schools serving as holding areas for young criminals. They must be removed from the schools. We have teachers to teach youngsters in schools and not police officers. We must have order at home and in our schools, and this will lead to order in society.

Businessman Commits Suicide

I was just about to complete this blog when I received a message stating that a businessman committed suicide by shooting himself. The message said this happened in Belmont in Westmoreland.

I am waiting to get information from the police.

JUTC Press Release, March 6, 2026

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) confirms that at approximately 6:20 a.m. today, one of its buses experienced a fire incident in the vicinity of Lady Musgrave in Kingston. 

According to preliminary reports, the bus operator observed flames coming from the engine compartment while operating the unit. Immediate attempts were made to extinguish the fire; however, these efforts were unsuccessful. The Jamaica Fire Brigade was subsequently alerted through the police emergency system and responded to the scene. 

No injuries or loss of life have been reported as a result of the incident. At this time, there are also reports of possible third-party property damage, which will be assessed as investigations continue. 

The matter is currently under investigation by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Jamaica Fire Brigade, and the JUTC Accident Department.

 

The JUTC remains committed to ensuring the safety of its passengers, staff, and the wider public. Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available. 

Please remember to add your comments at the bottom of the blog and be a part of the discussion. Your comments will be seen by those who can make a difference. 

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Vernon Derby Comments On The Termination Of Cuban Medical Programme In Jamaica

Listen to and share this commentary on the termination of the Cuban medical program in Jamaica. Remember to add your comments. You cannot afford to miss this commentary.

Click to watch the video.

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Talented Rosie Murray The MC For Jazz In The Gardens

Rosie Murray

When Rosie Murray hits the stage, expect someone with a personality larger than life. She will set the tone, the mood, and that special feeling one gets in the romantic setting at Jazz In The Gardens on March 29.

Rose is one of Jamaica’s most versatile and enduring performers, whose career spans theatre, radio, television, and film. Emerging as a force on the Jamaican stage in the late 1970s and 1980s, she quickly distinguished herself through commanding performances in major productions such as Rufus, A State of Mind, What the Wine Sellers Buy, 

Beyond acting, Rosemary Murray’s creative voice extended into writing, radio drama, and broadcast storytelling, where she helped shape narratives that resonated deeply with everyday Jamaican life. She became a familiar presence in radio soaps, docu-dramas, commercials, and television series and later transitioned into broadcasting, producing and presenting original programmes that blended music, culture, and social reflection. Whether behind the microphone, on the page, or on stage, Murray’s work consistently centred authentic Caribbean voices—especially women navigating love, resilience, humour, and survival. 

A woman with experience in various aspects of entertainment, she will bring us together in a moment that we will never forget. Her infectious laughter and her ability to relate well with people make her the ideal personality and MC for Jazz in the Gardens. Rosie is simply the best!

#JazzInTheGardens

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Bark Di Trute requests that you click on the advertiser's link on the page and also donate to the work of Bark Di Trute. It takes cash to care!

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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