CARIBBEAN NEWS: December 6th – 13th, 2014

ILO REPORT SAYS WAGES IN CARIBBEAN GREW LESS THAN ONE PERCent—12/06/14
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), wages in the Caribbean rose by less than one percent in 2014. the Global Wage Report for 2014-2015 states that overall wages globally fell by two percent over 2012 totals.

GONSALVES CONDEMNS U.S. BLOCKADE OF CUBA—12/07/14
The Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves has strongly criticized the blockage of Cuba by the United states. He is calling for the release of Cubans who are in prison in the U.S. for spying. He said the “criminal” blockade of Cuba, which includes economic sanctions against the nation, should be ended.

BAHAMAS LOOKING FOR MORE SPACE TO HOUSE MIGRANT FAMILIES—12/08/14
The government in the Bahamas is trying to find more space to house migrant women and children, as complaints about its main detention center increase. Perry Christie, the nation’s Prime Minister, has asked authorities to find some way to separate migrant families from the general population at the Carmichael Road Detention Center. There has been a surge in illegal migration to the country, which has brought thousands of individuals to the Bahamas, chiefly from Haiti. This is causing a strain on national social services.

REDUCED TARIFFS ON TRADE IN CARIBBEAN URGED BY CUBA—12/09/14
Raul Castro, the president of Cuba, is urging a revision and update of the trade and cooperation agreement negotiated between Cuba and the Caribbean Community. He wants tariffs on 300 products to be eliminated in the region. Cuba is also joining with other nations in the area to demand the removal of the countries from lists that hamper their economic development and international trade.

CARIBBEAN CORALS RESISTANT TO ACIDIFICATION IN OCEAN—12/10/14
Researchers have found evidence that the Caribbean gorgonian corals may be resistant to ocean acidification. According to a new study by Juan A. Sanchez of the Universidad de los Andes, Bogota Colombia, the species can calcify and grow under high concentrations of carbon dioxide, suggesting that the corals are more resilient to acidification than previous believed.

CCJ TO HEAR NATIONALIZATION CASE INVOLVING BELIZE—12/11/14
A case brought against the government of Belize by the British Caribbean Bank will be heard by the Caribbean Court of Justice. The court will allocate three days to hearing arguments in six consolidated appeals against Belize by Dean Boyce & Trustees of the BTL Employees Trust, British Caribbean Bank Ltd and Fortis Energy International (Belize) Inc. The cases stem from an action by Belize in 2009 to enact laws citing a public purpose for the mandatory acquisition of BTL and BEL utility company properties.