OWN GOAL, or decisive political action?
That has been the topic for debate in political circles after the demotion of Akanni McDowall, the president of the National Union of Public Workers. He was unceremoniously sent packing from his temporary senior post of acting health planning officer 1 and returned to his substantive post of environmental health assistant 1 – an entry level position. The move will cost him a few hundred dollars in pay per month.
Given the swiftness and decisiveness of the move, some operatives from either side of the divide think Government may have scored an own goal, as the fall-out from this development could be a major irritant for public servants, and may eventually lead them to action.
However, one diehard Government supporter, known for his keen political insight said public workers will only grumble but will toe the line as they and other Bajans always do.
From mingling at certain waterholes, Cou Cou heard that the swiftness of the move demonstrated the resolve of the Government to deal with anyone they could easily get at who they consider a potential stumbling block to their plans – so Mary Redman beware. The consensus, too, was that the action demonstrated Government has become more intolerant of criticism – so Caswell Franklyn, Roy Morris, Peter Wickham and Patrick Hoyos, watch out.
Coincidentally an avid reader sent Cou Cou a poem on their perspective of the situation:
First they promised that no public servants would be going home, then after the general elections they sent 3 000 packing – and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a public servant.
Then they sent home Industrial Development Corporation staff over the age of 60 and declared that the law provides for that – and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t over 60.
Then they docked the pay of the striking sanitation workers who supported their IDC colleagues – and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a sanitation worker.
They deducted teachers’ pay too when they supported their Barbados Union of Teachers – and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a teacher.
Then, after failing to get a motion of no-confidence passed against Akanni McDowall, they demoted him as a warning of what could be in store for anyone who opposed them – and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a NUPW member.
Then they came for anyone who objected to Government policy calling them enemies – and I didn’t speak up because I was scared of what might happen to me.
Then they came for me – and by that time no one was left to speak up.
None of us knows precisely what will come next. But we have ample reason to suspect it’s not going to be good.
Band-aid strategy
PROFESSIONALS AT a state-funded organisation are concerned that budgeted funds for specific purposes are instead being redirected to keep the facility afloat to make up for a slowdown of cash from Government.
Cou Cou understands that this is why certain departments within the St Michael facility are not functioning at full efficiency, while others are just engaged in continual training exercises instead of much needed hands-on work.
Though the professionals understand the administrators’ reasoning for this strategy, they are concerned that this approach has the potential to undermine the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the institution to the detriment of the public.
