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Martinique.
A general meeting on the high cost of living
Three trade union organizations (CGTM, CDMT, CFE-CGC) held a general meeting yesterday evening, Wednesday November 20, at the Maison des Syndicats in Fort-de-France. Their objective: to maintain the mobilization against the high cost of living. In a press release issued by the CGTM and relayed by RCI, the trade union organization explains that it brought together around a hundred representatives on Tuesday to " discuss the social situation and the means to be implemented to ensure the success of the demands expressed by the CGTM in the notice it issued on September 20". In addition, RCI reports that the participants denounced "the police and judicial persecution to which the president of RPPRAC (Rassemblement pour la Protection des Peuples et des Ressources Afro-Caribéennes) has fallen victim". Last week saw the arrest of Rodrigue Petitot, President of RPPRAC. Petitot is accused of trespassing on the occasion of a visit by the Minister of Overseas France, whom he had demanded to meet. After entering the prefectural residence in the company of three other people, Rodrigue Petitot had a heated verbal exchange with Martinique's prefect, Jean-Christophe Bouvier. The president of RPPRAC is being prosecuted for "threats, intimidation and violence against a person holding public authority". Rodrigue Petitot, for his part, has lodged a complaint of police violence.
Sint Maarten.
Princess Juliana at the heart of aviation news
Two events took place at Princess Juliana International Airport over the past week. Firstly, on Thursday November 14, the grand opening of the new terminal. This brand-new, modern structure was officially opened by Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, who came especially for the occasion. But she wasn't the only VIP to make the trip, as a delegation from Saint-Barthélemy was also present.Fabrice Danet, Director of Saint-Barthélemy Airport, Alexandra Questel, President of the Tourism Committee, and Mélissa Lake, Territorial Councillor in charge of tourism. "Today, we celebrate not only a new beginning for the airport, but also the continuity of an 80-year legacy," said airport general manager Brian Mingo.
A few days later, on Monday November 18 and Tuesday November 19, Princess Juliana hosted the 37th DCCA conference, which brought together all the airport managers of the Dutch Caribbean islands. "This is an annual meeting," commented Alexandra Questel, who attended the event with Fabrice Danet. In addition to maintaining and strengthening inter-island collaboration, the conference also provided an opportunity to discuss measures taken to reduce ticket costs. For example, in 2024, speakers highlighted the fact that companies operating between Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao recorded a fare reduction of $15 per passenger. "We were able to see that Curaçao, like other islands, is seeking a balance between attracting large numbers of tourists and preserving the island," explains the president of the CTTSB. Curaçao now boasts almost 14,000 registered AirBnB addresses. Numerous subjects animated the debates. Like the possible introduction of the Archer helicopter, which is entirely electric and silent (but requires a super charger), or the prospects and dangers of climate change. Alexandra Questel also took part in a round table discussion with her counterparts from Saint-Martin, Sint Maarten, Curaçao and Anguilla. In particular, to discuss the various forms of tourism.
British Virgin Islands.
Best-paid teachers in the region?
The Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Natalio Wheatley, declared during his budget speech (relayed by the Virgin Islands Consortium) that teachers in the British Virgin Islands are now among the best paid in the region. This follows a recent pay review. Starting salaries for qualified BVI teachers now stand at $55,146 a year, surpassing the $50,974 annual starting salary for US Virgin Islands teachers. "This competitive salary supports our efforts to attract and retain talented teachers, a critical factor in the success of our students and the system as a whole," said the Prime Minister. The salary adjustment comes after urgent calls from Education Minister Sharie de Castro in early 2023. She had expressed concern about the high number of resignations among teachers, many of whom were leaving the profession for better-paid opportunities elsewhere.
Bermuda.
First cases of measles in thirty years
Bermuda had not recorded a case of measles since 1990. Last week, in a press release, the Ministry of Health's Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit declared that two people had been placed in isolation. that two people had been placed in isolation due to fears that they may have contracted measles on their return from areas known to be "infected". Caribbean National Weekly reports that Health Minister Kim Wilson said that while the British Overseas Territory has been fortunate to have avoided measles for many years, "it is a vaccine-preventable disease and it is particularly important to ensure adequate protection before traveling".
Cayman Islands.
A $2,000 Christmas bonus for public sector employees
Cayman Islands Prime Minister Juliana O'Connor-Connolly announced on local radio on Friday that public sector employees will receive a $2,000 Christmas bonus. A gesture aimed at easing financial pressures during the holiday season, she explained. The bonuses are expected to cost the government an extra $9.7 million, the Observer reports. They are part of a wider program that includes a 5% cost-of-living allowance for the new year. The government's aim is to ensure that civil servants receive a minimum wage of $3,000 a month. This financial boost is seen as a way of supporting public sector workers against a backdrop of rising living costs.
Grenada.
Government accused of traveling at taxpayers' expense
Amid growing scrutiny of government spending, particularly on foreign travel, Grenada's Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has firmly rejected allegations that his government is spending large sums of public money on travel. In a statement, relayed by Caribbean National Weekly, he clarified that, apart from events and organizations in which Grenada is obliged to participate, the travel expenses of government ministers are generally covered by the inviting entities, not the national treasury. "When people talk about travel, there is no significant travel," the Prime Minister said in an interview as he sought to justify that his trips, which average one per month, are not a burden on the state. "Our policy is this: if those who invite us to travel or visit us to attend an event are not ready or willing to pay the funding for it, we don't travel," insisted Dickon Mitchell.
Dominique.
A UN human rights inspection
According to a United Nations circular, the human rights situation in Dominica will be examined this Thursday by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council. This is the fourth time Dominica has undergone the UPR process, following its previous reviews in December 2009, May 2014 and May 2019. The UPR provides a platform for countries to present their human rights efforts and challenges, along with recommendations from other UN member states aimed at improving human rights conditions. Dominica's current review will assess progress made since its last assessment, and address ongoing and emerging human rights issues. Dominica's delegation will be led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Affairs, Trade and Energy, Vince Henderson. The three country representatives acting as rapporteurs for Dominica's review are Brazil, Kuwait and Somalia. The perfect referees for human rights.
Bahamas.
Creation of the first corporate tax
The Bahamian government recently announced its decision to introduce a corporate income tax. A first in the country, it goes without saying that this decision was greeted with much discontent. Since then, the government has been at pains to defend its decision. Prime Minister Phillip Davis has stressed that the new legislation will only apply to large multinationals. He added that the tax could generate up to $140 million in revenue for the country. Speaking in Parliament, Phillip Davis clarified that the national minimum top-up tax is specifically targeted at multinationals operating in the Bahamas with annual revenues in excess of €750 million. The measure is part of the country's efforts to align with international tax standards, in particular the OECD's Global Minimum Tax framework, which aims to prevent tax avoidance by large corporations transferring their profits. At the same time, the Prime Minister pointed out that his administration had cut taxes for most Bahamians over the past three years. Notably by lowering the value-added tax (VAT) from 12% to 10% and reducing customs duties on various essential products.
Saint-Martin.
Barbecue king crowned
The young Saint-Martin Gastronomy Festival has already established a number of popular events. A case in point was the traditional barbecue competition held on Tuesday November 19 along the Rue de la République in Marigot. One of our colleagues at Le Pélican assures us that this was one of the liveliest streets in the area. Seven restaurateurs competed for the title of king of the grill, in a festive and relaxed atmosphere," she writes. At the end of the competition, Grand Case restaurant Sky's The Limit came out on top, for the second year running. "The various competitions organized as part of the Festival continue this Thursday evening on the Marigot waterfront.