Wrong on overtime

November 9, 2004

Dear Sir,

This letter is directed to the Bermudian workforce and to employers. The PLP government is about to legislate overtime at time and one half over normal work hours irregardless of the employees desire to work such hours at straight time to earn additional money.

First of all a legal challenge should take place on this blatant intrusion on the civil rights of the employee and employer. Such legislation goes contrary to the laws of natural justice. If an employee volunteers to work additional hours at straight time then he should be able to do so without government intervention. The business arrangement is between the employer and employee and has nothing to do with the government.

Even jobs where it is mandatory to work more hours than other industries the employee does not have to work there. He or she has a choice. He or she can go somewhere else. By accepting the job he or she accepts the terms of the job. Government should have no input. This is once again between the employer and employee. By making the employer change the way he has been doing business is not acceptable to this community.

The next thing will be just one TV channel allowed with PLP videos. It's time to get rid of this Castro influence on Bermuda's way of life. If you like Cuban ideas, Alex, and want that style of government, then go to Cuba. I will buy you a one-way ticket.

Only an inept government could devise and orchestrate such a horrendous fiscal inflationary programme that could cause a collapse of our economy, and all those that are smiling at getting the overtime windfall will be out of a job!

In their desperation to stay in power the Scott government has thrown up another unresearched piece of legislation full of sugar coating for its labour workers but unfortunately, as with the Berkeley job, it is laced with poison. They don't know what they are doing!

The only winners with this legislation will be the government, who will take more tax on the payroll increase, so they can misuse the taxpayers dollars on unnecessary trips South and East and to build on private additions or new houses for its 'friends' ... and the banks and other lenders who will take your property when you cannot pay your mortgage. And why will this take place?

Well, let's take the construction industry for example. Workers are allowed to work 60 hours a week on a construction site. After this legislation is in place the 20 hours of over time (one-third of their income) will cost the contractor a significant amount of additional money for no productivity. Add to that figure the government taxes and the cost is even more.

At some point the costs are either passed along to the owners raising the cost to build a house by about 20 percent to 25 percent or the contractor will not allow more than 40 hours and the job will take longer to complete. To be competitive in the trade, and to make sure the government gets the message, I vote that the employers should do just that. Work to rule and send them home with legislated pay packets.

The taxes will be less, the buildings will take longer to build, slowing down the economy a bit and getting back to reality.

The labour movement and their in-bed partners, the Scott government, can then take care of all their workers who suddenly cannot meet their monthly cash requirements to pay off their loans as their paycheques are short by 20 hours of pay (33 percent) and they have been evicted from their houses. This could happen if this ridiculous legislation is enacted.

History proves that governments cannot legislate economies. Any interference or control has always been a poison pill. Bermuda's economy is fragile at best despite the apparent boom. All successful economies must be free to be able to function through level playing field competition.

Market conditions rise and fall providing the natural balance for sustained natural growth and keeping inflation in balance with reality. This legislation is the dopiest so far from the Scott government and that's saying something!

The PLP government is going to cause grief once again to its supporters because of their own ignorance or understanding of the real market situation.

Alex, please go back to your advertising business and leave the job that you are not qualified to run. Take all the rest and see if they can run a simple business!

It's time to get Bermuda back on track with some quality business people. We have to get rid of this government soon: how long do we have to suffer this continuing embarrassment. Surely even the workers are smart enough to understand the implications of this situation. The ball is in the workers court. Get rid of this legislation or take a huge pay cut and lose your house.

CAPRICORN

Warwick

Where's the change?

November 2, 2004

Dear Sir,

Change: To make a difference; to make radically different; to give a different position, etc. There's an old adage: "The more things change, the more they remain the same."

With the change of Government in November, 1998, we were introduced by the Premier of the day to a "New Bermuda". Change was about to be made after some 30-plus years of Government by the United Bermuda Party. I'm sure for many; this word conjured up all sorts of new goodies that had never been experienced before. Something to look forward to.

The Country soldiered on to the next general election in 2003. The ruling Progressive Labour Party retained power, but the Country got a new Premier. With the new Premier, we were once again treated to yet another chant of a "New Bermuda". So far with six years of the current and basically the same Government, we're experiencing two 'New Bermudas.'

During this six-year period, the Country has gone through (at least politically) many changes. One thing for sure, the game of politics is very active. Young people have come to the forefront, both positively and negatively.

We see many more college graduates and young Bermudians assuming good positions in the employment industry and at the same time, many still actively involved in gang warfare, criminal and anti-social behaviour.

Throughout all of this, many of our churches have remained silent on their take on the 'New Bermuda,' in particular, that aspect of antisocial behaviour.

However, one of our largest and leading churches is once again sponsoring yet another conference on the topic of 'Nation Changing.' The topic in my estimation fits in perfectly with the New Bermuda theme.

The local organisers are bringing in famous American/International Religious heavyweights to lead this conference. I'm certain it will be great. This same Church, around a year ago sponsored a similar conference with a similar high-flying Religious Luminary of International fame. Like this current group, his credentials were enviable. Personally, I frequently watch them all on the Bible Network Television (Cable Ch.13) and yes, they're impressive. If memory serves me correctly, I believe this first conference was also associated with a plan to change young people's ideas on gang warfare in particular. Change seems to be in the air. We're seeing a lot of change, but are we, really? It seems the more things change, the more they remain the same. Am I missing something?

LENNETT MAURICE EDWARDS

Somerset

Justice has been served

November 5, 2004

Dear Sir,

Justice has been served. Many thanks and prayers to the boys that came forward and reported the nightmare that they had endured by a cop, of all people. He will never hurt another young man again thanks to their courageous acts.

Being an ex-policeman, he is aware of the situation in the jails when it comes to paedophiles. But that was not a deterrent for him. Forgive me if I don't feel sorry for you because you are being threatened up at Westgate. Poor you. Take your medicine like a man.

Whatever befalls you, you more than deserve. You showed no remorse for your actions. Then there were the audacity of the members of the force allegedly knowing that he liked boys, but keeping it quiet.

Under whose orders were these? And how would they like Chalky to sodomise their sons or nephews? Put yourselves in the victims' shoes. He should have been fired in 1992!

IN THE SKY

City of Hamilton