OUTSIDE THE PULPIT: Not me and that Labour Ministry
If I were to be involved in elective politics of which I have no intention because God has set me apart to be a messenger, and if I was offered a position in any Government Cabinet, there is one Ministry that I would not want, not even if I were paid in gold.
It is the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, because it can be a very stressful ministry these days.
That is why I really feel for Dr Esther Byer Suckoo, the present Minister of Labour. She has been having it rather rough along with, I am sure, many sleepless nights over the last few weeks.
One can only wonder how she is managing with so many four- and five-hour meetings per day.
I will remember her in my prayers every day.
First it was the sugar workers dispute which lasted longer than I thought appropriate. It robbed the crop of much valuable productive time. Only time will tell if we will be able to reap all those canes from the fields.
Now it is the National Conservation Commission (NCC) which has been going on for too long, with so many five- and ten-hour meetings.
Those long meetings may have taken a toll on Keith Neblett, general manager of the NCC, who could not attend a meeting on Tuesday, March 20, because of illness.
What a pity.
I am also concerned about my friend, Dennis Clarke, General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), and those many long hours, because Clarke was very sick a year ago.
Dennis, I am appealing to you to take it easy these days because you are not a boy, you are an old man like me.
I am also concerned about the well-being of Wayne Walrond, an industrial relations officer with the National Union of Public Workers, because when he is dealing with any disputes, he becomes very worked up.
After fighting other battles what? Your health must be taken into consideration, please!