Comments on: The Barbados ejection

By: michael tannassee

michael tannassee — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:38:25 +0000

….”our way of life” ,,,, hmmmm ! leheh see haysuh now ! yuh en talkin bowt “crop ova wid flyin fish an cukoo” is u ??????????

it gat fuh b cos what else is dare pon a rock dat is 21×14 miles ! goh bloine ! what a stretch……

By: michael tannassee

michael tannassee — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:41:51 +0000

…and they talk abt “caricom” ,, and de ress ah de bull ” spatter ” comin out fum dem mouth ,, de whole truth ah de mattah iz ,, bcaz ah dem lazyness ,, an nat skilled in squat ,, dem totally scared dat we tek ova dem “lil island” dat shape dem mentality !

gwan suh anadah tsunami ,, and hurricane comin ,, as i write dis ,, ah juss read de POP KING MJ has passed

By: Adam Frankowski

Adam Frankowski — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:03:47 +0000

Regardless of the rights and wrongs of this situation, there is no excuse whatsoever for the xenophobic language used by several of the above posters.

By: Heaven

Heaven — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:30:38 +0000

Guyanese in barbados were bragging long before out last election that no one could remove them from here. the Guyana government needs to find someone to blame for its own inadeqaucies.

By: Wiggins

Wiggins — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:09:09 +0000

E.M , you are not telling the truth and you know it . The woman said that she waited at the airport for over 2 hours and when her husband did not come out she made inquires with a female immigration officer who told her that her husband was not granted permission to enter Barbados and he will be returning to Guyana . She also said that she was allowed to talk to her husband by phone . The other encounters of which she spoke , took place in Bridgetown , 1st , at the Immigration office and at a later date she said that she saw the said officer that she had spoken to in the office on a street in Bridgetown and on both occasions , he allegedly made unprofessional remarks to her . If she was telling the truth , the Permanent Secretary who was on the programme was also the Chief Immigration officer for 9 years and he said that he never accepted unprofessional behaviour from his officers . The Foreign Minister of Barbados , Ms. Maxine Mc Clean , came on the programme and said that any complaints supported by facts will be dealt with . So E.M , do you want the immigration officers and the police to visit a house where illegal immigrants are hiding and ask them for permission to enter ?? These people have decided to run and hide until they are caught , they have knowingly broke the law . EM , why do you want to live in Barbados , since it is so bad ???

By: bajegal

bajegal — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:30:12 +0000

All Guyanese know that they are to leave Barbados immediately if they have expired work permits. If they choose to stay and break our laws, Bajan immigration officers and the police should use whatever means necessary, short of doing physical harm to them, to get them out of the country. Any time of day is an acceptable time to pick them up. I listened to the program you referenced and I think there is more to the story involving the Bajan woman married to the Guyanese man than we know. He could have run afoul of Bajan immigration in the past. If I am correct, the woman said one of his grandmothers, his parents, and “aunties” live in Barbados. Why was he living in Guyana under the poor conditions she mentioned if his parents and other family members live in Barbados? I think someone is pulling a fast one.

By: bajegal

bajegal — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:12:56 +0000

Kevon, that sounds too sensible. Guyanese would rather whine and curse Bajans than think about doing something to develop their country.

By: bajegal

bajegal — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:06:47 +0000

tiger, thousands of Guyanese have migrated to Barbados since the 1940s. Thousands of them have made money in Barbados since then. Many are living permanently in Barbados now. Many are now living and working in Barbados with legal work permits. Many are living and working there illegally. Bajans have more than repaid Guyanese for what Guyanese did for them decades ago. Many Bajans who live in Barbados today were not alive in the 1940s and 1950s and cannot be held responsible for things that happened in the past. Guyanese sound childish when they whine about what Guyanese did for Bajans in years gone by.

By: BajanFaReal

BajanFaReal — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:27:08 +0000

I am shocked at the response of illegal migrant workers who complain about being deported after being giving an amnesty period and choosing not to take advantage of it. Does the writer of this article believe that we can allow persons to disregard our laws and “do as their feel like in” our fair land? There has always been a large amount of migrant workers in Barbados from several areas, the average bajan like me is offended by the comments of those who chose not to adhere to our laws and then want to demand how they should be treated. Even the tone and language of this article is testament of how obnoxious many Guyanese are. Fact is, as committed as we are to CARICOM and regional integration, there must be rules and protocol to govern such. The fact that one chooses not to conform and then complain after the repercussion of their action is baffling. Despite what Guyanese or anyone says we support our Prime minister 100%. For several years the previous administration chose to ignore this escalating problem, we are glad that this administration can see problems and address them. We don’t mind sharing the sweets of bajan labour with some but who do Guyanese think they are to make demands. The government and people of Guyana should try to improve the living condition of their homeland, rather than try to suck off the life blood of Barbados. You should make demands in Guyana not “bout here”.

By: Dr.ROY SINGH

Dr.ROY SINGH — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:39:19 +0000

In reply to Kevon.
My brother your plan would have much validity in a “normal society”
At present, Guyana is not a “normal society” due to the massive corruption, blatant racism, and extremely poor Governance.I am not a fan of the PNC EITHER BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE MANY WRONGS IN THE PAST-but we as a people cannot always seek to victimize and keep blaming the previous Govt–we spend too much time doing that and not seeking to work together for our country.
I myself am an Indo –Guyanese and i am pained by the way Afro Guyanese are treated in Guyana and yes, it is highly institutionalized racism.
ALL iNDO GUYANESEif they really love Guyana and have any civic pride in their country need to speak up and denounce racism in all its forms–unless this is abolished along with massive corruption ,poor governance.

By: tiger

tiger — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:25:54 +0000

you forgot to mention too that they help develop barbados with their hard working skills guyanese are know for, most guyanese go to barbados to work and earn a living just as you people came to guyana in the early 40’s 50’s and 60’s to earn a living so be balance in your comments and dont be one sided when you talk of a hard working people.

By: Blackrattlesnake

Blackrattlesnake — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:55:54 +0000

PS: to moderator….why are Circuit City’s ads still on your site???? They have been closed and out of business for months.

By: Blackrattlesnake

Blackrattlesnake — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:53:37 +0000

Present(PPP) and past(PNC) Govts. of Guyana are using/have used immigration as a way to ease the pressure building up in the country….a sort of safety valve. But with the economic realities of today, this valve is being closed rapidly. The twin pressures of no overseas work and the inability for remittances to be sent, will hit Guyana together with the ensueing reccession. The day of reckoning for the present Govt is fast approaching…the money from the ‘drug’ trade is also rapidly drying up as ‘kingpins’ fall like bowling pins. With no proper development plan in place the country will experience dire times for the forseeable future….Supply of loans are drying up as many of the donors find themselves on hard times…A massive return to the land is required…..great efforts need to be made in returning people to the land…Just like PNC’s great mistake of getting rid of the train…..the PPP’s dismantling of National Service is showing their lack of vision….as I could now have been used to great advantage in the agri field…..because whatever happens…..the whole world will still need to be fed.

By: FREESPEECH

FREESPEECH — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:34:35 +0000

SN find some new head lines.
you are getting stale with the same twisted crap.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:33:08 +0000

Get over it SN, the PPP and Jagdeo. What “onerous” immigration conditions Barbados has. Because you don’t like it you condemn it. The illegals have to obey the law or be deported. Be big men and women and stoping grumbling and stand for something, i.e. the rule of law and let Barbados implement it. SN you on Barbados and Thompson to be orderly in a democratic society and you let the PPP and Jagdeo get away with disordely behaviour in what you call a democracy. You people cannot be serious!

By: Ecoanalyst

Ecoanalyst — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:48:27 +0000

Illegal immigrants have been deported from Barbados for years. The new Barbadian policy was no surprise, when announced, as there was a growing backlash against the swarm of Guyanese and others, entering since 2002. The promises of eventual CSME free movement accelerated the emigration to this relatively prosperous, crime-free island but Barbadians knew that the unlimited migration would have to be curtailed eventually. This is now happening.

There are thousands of Guyanese residents who have lived in Barbados for years and are fully integrated in the society. There are also hundreds who have qualified under the CSME present rules (five categories), who are allowed to work there. Added to this are the agricultural and building trade workers who have work permits to work in Barbados. The thousands of “Illegals”, came on vacation and have overstayed for years, worked and even settled in with their families. They now behave as if they have a right to be here in Barbados. The articles you have published highlighting their removal should also say that they knew they were breaking the laws of Barbados, and should not be surprised that they are being deported.

Illegal immigrants have been deported all the time, but now the process has been accelerated… thus the uproar. It is unlikely that the new policies will be changed and therefore illegals will have to go home voluntarily or be removed. Barbados is a small country and eventually the will have to go. In the meantime the Barbadian government is still approving persons for work permits and CSME approvals to work in Barbados… thus satisfying their CSME agreemments. A managed migration policy for Barbados – a small island of 166 sq miles – is their only option if they want to upkeep their high standard of living.

Barbados strives to be an orderly society. It depends on tourism and therefore a low crime rate is an asset. It also has the highest rating in the human development index in the Caribbean and Latin America. The people of Barbados are concerned that their society cannot deal effectively with an estimated 30,000 illegal immigrants (10% of its population) competing for housing, education and other social services. Illegals also have their children staying home from school; squat in live in substandard housing and have few health services, as they fear being discovered as being illegal. These are valid concerns of the government and people of Barbados. The same could be the case if Guyana was deluged with 75,000 illegal immigrants (10% of their pop). The situation could be untenable for the same reasons.

Guyanese have to start looking inward, and start rebuilding their communities from the ground up. Everyone seems to want to escape and build other countries, leaving Guyana behind with all its natural resources for the few rich and connected, to benefit from. Leadership and and infusion of hope is required, as well as a “Plan to Revitalize Guyana” so that everyone feels they can benefit from the Plan. Georgetown has to again become the beautiful city it was and all Guyanese have to feel involved in the process of making Guyana an attractive place for Guyanese to live in; Guyanese to return to and retire in with their expertise and money; and also a place to attract people from the Caribbean and elsewhere… as it did in the past.

By: E.M

E.M — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:19:10 +0000

I am Guyanese living in Barbados. It is true that Guyanese are being rounded up at all hours of the morning, and sent to the Grantley Adams airport for deportation.
Yesterday on a local program called Brastax, a government offical, who was part of a panell, comprising Mr. Farrier,said that he sees no problem with people being rounded up, because they are in breach of Barbados’ law.
A tape was even played on the airwaves, with the voice of a bajan woman who is married to a Guyanese man. The woman said that she was at the airport waiting for her husband, and when she didn’t see him arrive, she decided to enquire and was asked if she doesn’t know that marrying a Guyanese man is bringing someone her to take up space. She also said that when she told the immigration officer that she is finding it difficult to survive without her husband, he told her to find a man to support her, and even offered himself.
You might want to uplift a copy of that tape, since it is being said, in Barbados, that the media in Guyana are overstating the issues.

By: Kevon

Kevon — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:16:58 +0000

Do we as a country not wish to become a strong agricultural force in the caribbean? Here’s a suggestion.

The government should welcome those who were ousted from Barbados,Set up a co-op. have them pool whatever funds they would have accquired and with the assistance of the Ministry of Agriculture and its branches (NARI) provide a substantial acreage of land along with duty free allowance on equipment bought, technical assistance etc. Said land could be used for cash crop farming and geared to produce export quality goods. Whatever an individual has invested he would revieve a percentage of same.

By: Bajan Observer

Bajan Observer — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:21:55 +0000

Article 16 and 17 refer to “Migrant Workers” and their rights. David Thompson and government are dealing with illegal immigrants. Big difference.

By: SupportingourPM

SupportingourPM — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:19:17 +0000

As far as I am concerned from the time PM Thompson made his announcement way back in May, illegal workers should have “tidied up their affairs, gathered all of their belongings AND prepared themselves for the return home”. They already know that they whether or not they meet the conditions for amnesty. Instead they have wilfully and blatantly continued to flout Barbados’ laws and hide out. Many have said that they are not going back voluntarily. Why therefore should the police and immigration warn them of the precise date and time when they will be removed? So that they can abscond yet again? They have already been given sufficient warning. If you choose to work and live illegally in someone else’s country then that is the risk you take.

Illegal workers live in a shadow economy and most of the money they earn is sent out of the island and not back into Barbados’ economy. They don’t pay taxes, they don’t contribute to the NIS – why should I as a hardworking taxpayer be supporting people who don’t contribute to Barbados’ social system but take advantage of our schools, polyclinics, roads, buses and other amenities?

The majority of Barbadians are fully behind PM Thompson. We have the right and the obligation to protect our borders, our economy and our way of life.