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  • LIAT confirms discussions with unions to extend layoff period; doesn’t recognize NUPW in Barbados

LIAT confirms discussions with unions to extend layoff period; doesn’t recognize NUPW in Barbados

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LIAT STATEMENT — LIAT has taken note of news articles reporting statements made by the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW)in Barbados with regards to LIAT’s employees and the company considers it necessary to clarify the facts.

LIAT operates across several jurisdictions and we continue to engage all our Union Partners during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) is not a recognised bargaining agent for any of LIAT’s employees. Pilots are represented by the Leeward Island Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) registered in Antigua and Barbuda.

The company has been in discussion with LIALPA on all issues regarding the pilot body. Prior to the COVID crisis, the NUPW approached LIAT on certain matters, affecting Barbados based pilots, which LIAT has responded to as a matter of courtesy, as the NUPW is not the recognised bargaining agent of LIAT’s pilots.

Contrary to news reports, the Chairman of the LIAT’s Board of Directors, Professor Owen Arthur has had no discussions with the NUPW. As borders were closed across the regional network, LIAT suspended its scheduled passenger services from 16th March in certain territories and subsequently implemented a network wide suspension on April 4th. These services remain suspended through to 30th June 2020.

Consequently, most of LIAT’s staff, including pilots were laid off in accordance with labour laws. All staff including pilots were paid their full salaries for the month of March. The current pandemic has heavily impacted the company’s operations and staffing as has been the case with airlines worldwide.

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LIAT continues with union engagement and frequent communication to its staff on the matter. In this regard, LIAT is presently discussing the extension of the layoff period with the recognised unions in light of the continued closures, travel restrictions and slow reopening of borders across the LIAT network.

LIAT continues to engage with Governments across the region concerning their reopening plans and is working towards the restart of flight operations when the situation allows. LIAT’s Management continues to work with its recognised union bodies in the interest of all its employees, in these challenging times.

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In Other News

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

 

OECS MSME Guarantee Facility Project

Loan No.: IDA-62670, IDA-62660, IDA-62640, IBRD-88830, IDA-62650

Assignment Title: Senior Operating Officer (SOO)

Reference No. KN-ECPCGC-207852-CS-INDV

 

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have received financing in the amount of US$10 million equivalent from the World Bank towards the cost of establishing a partial credit guarantee scheme, and they intend to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, and consulting services to be procured under this project. 

The consultant will serve as the “Senior Operating Officer (SOO)” for the ECPCGC and should possess extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to Micro, small and medium-sized businesses, knowledge of the internal control processes necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk mitigation procedures. The ideal candidate should possess an Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Accounting, Banking or related field, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in lending, inclusive of MSME lending. The initial employment period will be for two years on a contractual basis. Renewal of the contract will be subject to a performance evaluation at the end of the contractual period. The assignment is expected to begin on September 30th, 2021.  The consultant will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the ECPCGC.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be viewed by following the attached link below. 

 

https://bit.ly/3iVannm

 

The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC) now invites eligible “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have:

  • An Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Finance, Banking or related field; and
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in MSME lending. Applicants should also have:
  • The ability to design and implement risk management procedures 
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to small and medium-sized businesses
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME banking operations
  • Knowledge of the internal controls necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk management procedures
  • Experience developing and presenting information in public, including responding to questions in real-time
  • Experience lending to MSMEs located in the ECCU
  • Knowledge of marketing and communicating with the MSME sector
  • Ability to draft procedures to be used in a lending operation
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of a loan guarantee program
  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.

The attention of interested Individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, Paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016, [revised November 2017] (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Approved Selection Method for Individual Consultants set out in the clause 7.34 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. 

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1700 hours:

Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation

Brid Rock, Basseterre,

St. Kitts.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form by e-mail by August 11th, 2021, to [email protected]. 

 

For further information, please contact:

Carmen Gomez-Trigg                                                            Bernard Thomas

Chief Executive Officer                                                          Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 868-620-8144                                                                  Tel: 869-765-2385

Email: [email protected]                                          [email protected]