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 January 2000

CBS 60 Minutes, Cheap Crippling Chickens, WTO and Jamaica

On December 19th, 1999, CBS-TV’s 60 Minutes did an expose on the brutal conditions workers undergo on the eastern shore of Maryland to produce chickens cheaply. Workers employed as chicken catchers and as assembly line workers must maintain an inhuman pace of restrictive repetitive work that after 10 to 15 years leave many with hands crippled by carpel tunnel syndrone. For example, catchers must enter the pen, grab chickens by the legs, about 10 at a time and average over 2000 birds per day! Do that for a number of years! Besides, these big chicken corporations like Purdue and Tyson Foods, with pockets bulging from immense profits, strip the workers of health benefits by making them contract employees instead of permanent employees.
Sounds familiar? It should because about a year ago, in Jamaica, Jamaica Broilers were embroiled in a major strike. At issue, they wanted to strip the workers of their permanent employee status in favor of contract employee status. There were other issues, but basically Jamaica Broilers set up the Maryland eastern shore corporations as models to be imitated. And, why not, these American hand-crippling chickens were being imported into Jamaica to compete with the locally produced chickens.
These hand-crippling chickens were also crippling and undermining the Jamaican chicken industry. Should Jamaican chicken farmers imitate the inhumane working conditions to remain competitive? Or, should the Jamaica government slap a tariff on these hand-crippling chickens to protect the local market?
However, the tarriff option would run afoul of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) policy on free trade. If this option were adopted, those big chicken corporations could instigate WTO trade sanctions against Jamaica. So it’s not just the banana trade, as this is another perfect example of how the WTO can be disastrous for Jamaica and other developing countries.

 

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US Media Slant News Against Puerto Rico and Cuba

When it comes to Caribbean issues, the US media continues its practice of bias and distortion. Two recent issues have made this so obvious.

Cuban Boy
First, the 6-year old Cuban refugee boy, Elian Gonzalez, who is rescued at sea and brought to America. His mother and stepfather drowned in the attempt. The press downplays the obvious and unquestionable rights of the boy’s biological father in Cuba to have custody of his son. They actually pretend that there is some legitimate dispute with relatives in Miami who claim custody of the boy. The father’s right supersedes any other living relative. Even if the mother had survived, by treaty agreement, she would be an illegal immigrant here and subject to deportation back to Cuba. This agreement was initiated by the US to prevent waves of Cuban coming to these shores. Besides, what kind of mother ignores the legal immigration method to risk the life of herself and her little son in a leaky unsafe boat? No wonder, in Cuba thousands have marched demanding return of the boy. Meanwhile, Cubans in Miami shower the boy with gifts, trips to Disney World and all sorts of bribes.
The Latest: INS rules boy must go back to Cuba. Miami Cubans react with angry sometimes violent protests and threaten to shut down Miami Airport. Most absurd of all, now the inept US Congress has subpoenaed the boy, the 6-year-old boy to testify there!

Vieques
The other issue is Vieques, the Puerto Rican island, that the US uses for its war training and for target practice. The media relays to us how the Pentagon says the US war making ability will suffer if they give up this little island. Get real! Are we to believe that this one and only world superpower needs this little island to maintain its supremacy? Take those war games to North Carolina, the home of the Senate Foreign Relations Chairman, Jesse Helms. Lots of beaches there. Drop those practice bombs there. Go ahead and ruin that environment!
The media does not tell us that there is virtual 100 % popular support in Puerto Rico against continued military use of the base. All the political parties, including the most pro-US parties are vehemently against it. Instead the media tells us about small fringe group opposition and that President Clinton’s minimal compromise is not an attempt to satisfy the Puerto Rican people but just an attempt to get the Puerto Rican votes for Hillary for her New York senate run.
The US Government is bad enough, but such bias against small territories by the highly vaunted American free press is outrageous. It is obvious the media has no integrity and we had better :

  • Be skeptical of everything they say
  • turn to the alternative media for fairness.

(See Fight Media Bias)

 

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Lou Gosset Buys Navy Island in Jamaica

Navy Island just off the coast of Port Antonio in Jamaica is set to resume its Hollywood connection. The beautiful little island came to Hollywood fame in the forties, when it was owned by swahbuckling Hollywood actor and heartthrob, Errol Flyn. Now, Jamaica’s Finance Minister Omar Davies has been announced that Oscar-award-winning black actor, Lou Gossett (Officer and A Gentleman), has bought the island for US$3 million. According to the report, Mr Gosset is working with the Jamaica Tourist Board to improve tourism and film development there.

The whole Port Antonio area, with the Blue Lagoon, with its rain forest vegetation, sparkling beaches, and proximity to Blue Mountains, is one the most beautiful and unique regions in Jamaica. Errol Flyn’s widow, Patrice Wymore, still lives in the Port Antonio area, where she is an established cattle farmer. Navy Island is linked by ferry service and is a tourist destination for guided tours. FINSAC has been trying to sell it for years. Of course, the island will remain part of Jamaican territory.

Editor’s Note: US$3 million seems quite a bargain.

 

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Hurricanes Imperil Caribbean Tourism

The year 1999 was a disastrous hurricane year for the Caribbean. Four powerful hurricanes packing winds over 130 mph hit the islands and the US mainland. Moreover, experts predict a decade of more potentially catastrophic storms ahead. In many islands, tourism has not yet recovered from the battering. In St. Maarten, the winter tourist season is ruined as all the major hotels damaged by floodwater are out for the winter. Worse yet, the major insurance company there will no longer insure against natural disasters because of the increasing frequency of hurricanes. This could be a dangerous trend and make its way to other insurance companies and Caribbean territories.
Y2K bug too
As if hurricanes are not bad enough, the Y2K bug has taken a bite out of tourism also. All over the world the Y2K bug proved to be pretty harmless. But in St. Lucia, the fear of disruptions by the bug was enough to scare away tourists. Obviously many were afraid to fly so hotel bookings were down to their lowest in 6 years.

 

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Lopsided Trade Within CARICOM

It seems an alarmingly high adverse balance of trade between Jamaica and CARICOM exists. According to Jamaica’s Statistical Institute, exports from Jamaica to CARICOM fell by 4.8% to US$31 million. Imports from CARICOM, mainly foodstuff, increased by 1.7% to US US$228 million. Jamaica’s adverse trade gap with CARICOM, therefore, stands at US$197, almost more than seven times its total exports to CARICOM.

Why on earth should the most industrialized CARICOM country have a negative trade balance with more agricultural countries? Why should a fertile island like Jamaica be importing so much foodstuff anyhow? This trade problem is not just a Jamaica problem. Such a lopsided trade imbalance has got to be a concern for every CARICOM member and not just Jamaica. Unless there is more equitable trade balance between members, the main purpose of CARICOM, to improve economic stability of members, could be undermined.

The European Union (EU) does not have this problem with its members because there is strict coordination of products of the respective countries. Members have actually been told to stop growing a traditional crop in favor of another, because it was decided to be better in the EU interest. Such decisions have angered some farmers, resulting in large angry demonstrations. But, this coordination has worked, paying economic dividends, and making the EU stronger than ever. This course might not work with CARICOM. I don’t think there is enough agreement among members to accomplish this. But the EU policy can at least serve as a model and should be kept in mind.

The knee-jerk response to blame politicians should be avoided. Governments do not trade. The private sector does. Lets hope members, Government and private sector, are addressing this serious problem as this haphazard aimless method needs to be changed. CARICOM is just too important and valuable to the destiny of the Caribbean.

There was more bad news from the Jamaica’s Statistical Institute for that period. In addition:

  • Jamaica total exports fell by 9.3%
  • Total imports also fell, but by a lesser 5.7%.
  • Traditional domestic exports fell from J$680 million to 645 million.
  • Non-traditional exports did even worse, falling by 17%.

  

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Rasta Millenium Summit in Antigua

Rastas from all over the Caribbean met in Antigua for a weekend "Millenium" summit which ended January 2. The meeting was hosted by the Antigua-based Wadadli National Council for the Advancement of Rastafari and the Eastern Caribbean Rastafari Organisations. Activities included formalising of an arts, crafts, and food fair, and discussion on education, health, human rights and the "weed".

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Caribbean States aid Venezuela

Caribbean states have rallied to send aid to flood ravaged Venezuela. With estimates of deaths up to 30,000, and thousands more homeless in the worst disater of the century there, Venzuela is in dire need. Guyana, for instance airlifted relief supplies part of a US83,333 humanitarian aid package.

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Puerto Rico Reject Vieques Compromise

Puerto Rico gave a unanimous "No". Puero Rican leaders rejected a compromise plan proposed by President Clinton. Even Puerto Rican, pro-Clinton Governor, US statehood supporter, Pedro Rossello was vocal in his rejection. The plan entailed

  • resumption of military exercises in the spring, but at a sharply reduced level
  • only dummy bombs would be used
  • ending of all training in 5 years
  • paying Puerto Rico $40 million to go along with the plan

Of course, Republican politicians, and the Pentagon, predictably hated it as they have absolutely no regard for the feelings of the local population.
In the meantime, the Marines will conduct an amphibious assault on the North Carolina coast and Navy strike aircraft will conduct air-to-ground bombings at Eglin Air Force base in Florida.

 

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SPORTS

Sir Conrad Hunte Dies

Former West Indies great, Sir Conrad Hunte played his final innings. The late opening batsman was laid to rest in his hometown in Barbados.

 

New Zealand Decimate West Indies

West Indies cricket continues to flounder at the bottom.This time New Zealand has been an inhospitable host by clobbering the visiting West Indies team in both tests. Hopes were raised when they started out so well on the 1st day of the 1st Test, scoring 282 for 1. But, it was downhill from there as they lost the 1st test by 9 wickets and the 2nd by an innings and 105 runs. Also, they have lost the firsst three of five one-day matches.

Test 1
1st Inning - WI 365 (AFG Griffith 114, S. Campbell 170, Vettori 4 for 83, Cairns 3 for 73); NZ 393 (CD McMillan 72, King 4 for 81)
2nd Inning - WI 97 (cairns 7 for 27), NZ 70 for 1

Test 2
1st Inning - NZ 518/9 declared (MS Sinclair 214 in his Test debut, NJ Astle 93 King 4/96) WI 179 Griffith 67, Lara 67, Cairns 5/44)
2nd Inning - WI 234 (Lara 75, Chanderpaul 70, Nash 4/38)

 

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Time Magazine, BBC, Pick Bob Marley

Time magazine picked Bob Marley’s "Exodus" as top album of the century. And the awards still keep coming as it is reported that the BBC picked Bob Marley’s "One Love" as its song of the century.

 

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Reggae and Revolution

A coup recently overthrew the government of President Henri Konan Bedie of the Ivory Coast, a nation of 19 million in west Africa. Now the radio waves are filled once more with reggae music. Local reggae music had been banned from the air waves by the ousted government. In "Rasta Village", a beach community of dreadlocked Rasta adherents, they see the coup as liberation and has put these feelings to music, to reggae music.

 

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Fair US Trial or Witch-hunt?

Nuclear scientist Chinese-born Wen Ho Lee has been accused and tried in the media for espionage. That media kangaroo court pretty much found him guilty, using its guilty-by-accusation yellow biased reporting. However, a slight problem arose, the FBI could find no evidence of espionage. Worse, investigation uncovered such slipshod security procedures for top nuclear weapons research that it was an embarrassment. Even President Clinton and previous presidents came under fire for this porous security. Since the espionage charge could not stick, the FBI has come up with 59 charges of mishandling nuclear secrets which could get 60-year-old Lee life imprisonment. He did copy classified data to his home computer. Shall they parlay this act into a life sentence? Will he get a fair trial? Several Asian-American organisations don’t think so. They think he is a scapegoat because he is a foreign-born US citizen and non-white. All foreign born non-white Americans, including West Indians, have a stake in this. We need to monitor this case closely and insist on a fair trial, to guard against the spread of this type of anti-immigrant bias. To be sure, this country has earned a proud record for justice probably unmatched by any other, but by our vigilance we will help preserve it or make it even better.

 

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