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COURT LEAKS
The new Supreme Court Complex (FP)
Published on: 10/31/2009.
by HEATHER-LYNN EVANSON
LESS THAN a month into operations at the spanking Barbados Supreme Court Complex, there is urine coming through the ceiling from the floor above, and faeces and water floating on the floor.
Yesterday, a number of Government workers who had been centralised from departments around Bridgetown to the complex on Whitepark Road, St Michael, walked off the job protesting the unsanitary conditions.
The section of the complex that was most affected is home to the Registration Department, the Law Library and the Court Process Office. The marshals are on Ground Zero (the basement), the Registration Department is on the ground floor, while the Law Library is housed on the second floor.
"We have been more than patient," said one woman. "From the time we moved in around October 5 we have had problems. Nobody is listening to us, nobody is entertaining us, no one's come to look at the problem. A whole month is more than enough time."
In addition, another worker said the task of cleaning the mess was being placed on the maids, who were ill-equipped to deal with such a problem.
The staffers complained that they could find no evidence that their situation was being addressed.
Attempts to get a response from Registrar Marva Clarke proved futile.
Her secretary said that she (Clarke) "would call back when it's convenient".
National Union of Public Workers senior industrial relations officer Rosalind Smith and industrial relations officer Caswell Franklyn toured the affected areas.
"This building - bright, new, spanking and pretty, is unfit for human habitation. Sewage is rising from the floor and they are forcing temporary maids to clean it under threat of dismissal or not renewing their contract, rather than bring in industrial cleaners and also fix the problem. This is not good enough," Franklyn said.
Smith told the SATURDAY SUN that this was not the first time workers had complained.
"We are taking it seriously, so we will be putting it in writing to the relevant authorities so that we can have some kind of definitive action to have the matter resolved," she said.
In addition, the staff complained that even though they worked at the complex they were scanned every time they entered the building.
Attorneys also complained about the relentless security searches, with one relating how a security guard told her that because she had a lawyer's gown, that did not mean she was a lawyer.
21 comment found!
This is nothing wrong : 11/7/2009
This is best way to keep such a big build secure if you do not want to be screen then work at home it the right thing with workers causing so much work related incident why not screen everyone that pass through the door no one is up the screening process. The ones you trust are the that doing the unexpected that can happen any where
: 11/7/2009
In brief: The Contractor should be required to rectify whatever problems which exist with the plumbing and then an industrial clean should be performed. If contractor refuses: Sue them and bring them in the same court for breach of contract. The security checks should continue, however, security should be sensitised on the way in which they interact with people. Some of the security guards' manner and tone leaves much to be desired. BUT The world has changed and we have to take security seriously. Only two weeks ago a man was gunned down by two assailants while he was in police custody leaving court in Trinidad & Tobago... If something happens the same Bajans who complaining bout security checks will be cussing de security at the court for not doing a good enough job to prevent the incident. That being said the new court is a beautiful edifice and a definite improvement over the former location. God Bless Barbados
Leaks : 11/7/2009
Get the plumbers back to fix the problem. They should stand by their work. Contractors should fix problem! Stuff like this happens all the time.
Court Leaks : 11/6/2009
Its pretty sad that the workers have to endure such conditions... The authorities need to have that problem corrected... I wouldnt work in those conditions either... And that stupid lawyer - if you must be checked then get checked... I fully agree with the security saying "because you haev a gown dont make you a lawyer"...
Court Leaks : 11/6/2009
You wan tot tell me that less than one month after you get a building from the contractors you are having these problems and want to placed the remedial work on "maids." Get your head around the situation and fast Mt. Attorney General. Get the contractors "ass" back in and fix the problem, or, are they "too big" to be told such.
no small problem : 11/1/2009
i don't think that filth floating on the floors is a small problem, it is a health hazard. the risk of exposure to disease from raw sewage is unacceptable in an industrialized country. maybe you like to live dirty in NY...but some people don't. maybe you need to sit in it for a day and tell us all how you love it, before you talk so much judgement on others!
Rather symbolic of the law in Barbados. : 10/31/2009
... with some of those crooked attorneys and all....
contractors : 10/31/2009
The contractors are the people to take care of that.It is a new building. Sound to me like there is a problem with the pipes. Bajan 48 Arkansa
Leaks : 10/31/2009
It would be interesting to know who were the inspectors that gave their approval on this building. Also the plumbers should be held accountable for this mess. The maids should not be ones to clean up this sewage. Shoddy workmanship caused this problem and therefore the responsibility for the cleaning should rest with the builder. The attorneys that complained about the security guard doing her job are ridiculous. What would be the likelihood of someone trying to carry out an attack on that building but to dress like a lawyer. Their egos seem to get the better of them. The world has changed.
COURT LEAKS : 10/31/2009
Not true, bajans tolerate a hell of a lot before they are forced to take action. Come to New York where many bajans congregate? No thank you, we prefer to live and work in our own slums which are far nicer than the Brooklyns, New Orleans and other similar areas. Some of you bajan yankees are unbelievable hypocrits.
Threats? : 10/31/2009
All new buildings will have some early (teething) problems irrespective of the best workmanship. Where are the contractors or builders? Have they disappeared beyond the horizon already with their suitcase full of dough? Why are the maids being threatened in a place that does not condone threats? Not good publicity for the person whose brainchild this was. Retired
COURT LEAKS : 10/31/2009
Why is it that as soon as there is a little problem in any work place in Barbados, the staff for whatever reason seem to think that they have the TROTMAN'S God given right to walk off the job? Please come to New York or any of the other major cities in the world and try that nonsense.Trust me, you would be looking for a job the next day.
SHAMEFUL SITUATION : 10/31/2009
THIS IS THE MOST SHAMEFUL SITUATION IN HEARD COMING OUT OF BARBADOS FOR A NEW STRUCTURE TO DEVELOP SO MANY PROBLEMS.WHY THE MAIDS HAVE TO CLEAN UP THAT MESS?IT SHOULD BE THE CONTRACTORS WHO BUILD THE STRUCTURE TO PROVIDE A CLEANUP CREW DAILY UNTIL THE PROBLEM FIX NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THAT.
dress code/leaking building : 10/31/2009
they should have got this wright before talking about dress code........ stupid. LOL priorities. priorities .priorities
: 10/31/2009
This is all down to bad workmanship who ever comissioned this job should have had as part of allocating the contract the contracters who built this building should be responsible for all faults/repairs for at least three years therefore when there is a fault instead of all this runing around like headless chickens you contact the firm and their workers come immediately and do the necessary job/repairs this is how other countries do things especially when taxpayers money is used.
leak : 10/31/2009
thats the contractor problem now is the time to do a real inspection to see if any more faults can be found
: 10/31/2009
So what is wrong with being scanned every time you enter the building even though you work there. If you worked in embassy settings the same thing would apply./ My attitude is if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear in terms of being suspect. The world is changing and not for the better, so better safe than sorry. On the other hand the contractors should be responsible for repairing that mess, did they not get paid for something that they did not deliver? Where is the building manager, is there one? That person should be resposible for solvingall those problems. The place unfortunately is unhealthy and the walk out is warranted.
Problems : 10/31/2009
begs the question, where were the building inspectors when the plumbing was being laid out, and what else was 'over looked' at the sametime, most construction companies give a six month punch list, which means that whatever goes wrong in that six months they return to repair for free, without being privy to the terms and conditions of the contract it would be difficult to say, sounds like a lot more going on in those hallowed halls than meets the eye.
No big Deal, why did you walk of job? : 10/31/2009
Oh and I thought there was something serious with the new building (just some pee and poo around because the contractor forgot to hook up the pipes to the toilet facilities) . Just the same -o problems with government buildings. Does not matter if new our old; maintenance is pathetic and the tools to do the job...hmmmm ahhh what tools.
: 10/31/2009
The security is to be expected and should probably be better explained to those who worked there. However it is a court so security is of the utmost importance. However, the fact that the building's plumbing/drainage is already experiencing problems is nothing short of embarassing for the government! Didn't they test the building's facilities before the handover?
: 10/31/2009
That's what happens when buildings are constructed deliberately facing East.
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