Skerrit: ‘not business as usual’

Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has warned his incoming cabinet ministers not to expect their job to be an eight to four one.

Ahead of yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony, Skerrit said it would not be business as usual, and that his ministers would have to show that they are ready for the task ahead.

“We have a lot of work to do this is a very serious matter … Men must not just come with a shirt and tie and say they are ministers, you have to roll up your sleeves and put your boots on and go in the field, and solve the problems of the people of Dominica,” Skerrit said.

He also indicated that ministers would be judged on performance, and that they should expect periodic changes.
More ethnic minorities losing jobs
Britain’s Equality and Human Rights Commission is reporting that people from ethnic minorities have seen a marked increase in their unemployment rate since the start of the recession in 2008.

According to the commission, its research shows that members of the UK’s Caribbean and African community have seen jobless rates increased from just over 13% to 20.1%.

It said during the same period white unemployment increased from 4.8% to 7.6%.

The study said the trend has become more marked in the last six months.

Commission chairman Trevor Phillips said the data for the last six months suggests a “significant deterioration in employment for those from ethnic minority groups”.
Spain wants explanation
Spain’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Cuban ambassador for an explanation as to why a Spanish politician was denied entry into the Caribbean country.

Luis Yanez was held for a couple of hours before being sent back home.

A ministry statement said that it is unjustifiable that Yanez, a Socialist who now holds a seat representing Spain at the European Parliament and has served under a previous Spanish government, was not allowed to enter Cuba.