Tourism ministers meet

Tourism Ministers of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are meeting in St Vincent this week to discuss initiatives to improve the industry’s performance.

The talks come as the region grapples with a fall in tourist arrivals and revenue as a result of the global financial crisis.

The April 20-21 conference will focus on issues such as joint marketing, multi-destination tourism and the agriculture-tourism linkage.

The ministers will also examine short term relief measures and emergency funding for small to medium enterprises in the tourism industry.

Jamaica teachers
unhappy with union

A group of teachers in Jamaica have accused their union, the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA), of not negotiating effectively on their behalf.

The teachers say they have already written to the JTA, withdrawing from the association.

Some are also threatening to picket the JTA’s offices to voice their concern.

Their statements followed a recent announcement from Prime Minister Bruce Golding that the government is unable to honour an agreement for salary increases, because of the financial crisis.

Violence mars Haiti
senate election

Haiti’s senate elections were marred by violence on Sunday, forcing the authorities to cancel voting at some polling stations.

Several people were wounded during clashes between supporters of rival candidates.

One member of the security forces was wounded as police and UN forces exchanged fire with civilian gunmen in one town.

Observers said that less than ten percent of eligible voters cast their ballots.

The country’s largest political party, the Lavalas Family Party, had urged an election boycott after its candidates were barred from contesting the election.