Dismont: Committee Formation A Breakthrough
Martha Dismont, Executive Director of Family Centre, has said that the approval of the formation of a joint select committee to investigate the issue of establishing a living wage in the House of Assembly on June 17 is “heartening” and a “breakthrough.”
Ms. Dismont said, “It is heartening to hear of what is being considered a ‘breakthrough’ which incurred in the House of Assembly on Friday June 17th , which was the approval of the formation of a joint select committee to investigate the issue of establishing a living wage.
“It is just as disheartening to hear of the incident of another shooting and stabbing on the morning after Father’s Day in this community. Our support and prayers go to the families of these individuals.
“We need to celebrate that our parliamentarians unanimously chose to come together on this important issue of a ‘living wage’, however, every next step towards resolving our continued critical social problems should also be taken with the same spirit of cooperation.
“Mr. Commissiong should be congratulated for his efforts and passion on this issue, and we hope that other issues which we all know are affecting our community will be viewed with the same level of commitment and partnership.”
“As difficult as it is to come together, we are out of time in reaching solutions. Our young people continue to watch our actions, and behave with the same level of mistrust and disrespect that they see often displayed by adults. The efforts to punish individuals to resolve the violence has not solved the problem in the long run. No manner of punishment will ever heal these wounds of disregard that they have felt over the years.
“Circumstances such as absent fathers [mothers], substance abusing parents, disrespecting relatives, verbally abusive teachers have plagued the childhood of many of our young people. These issues are often multi-generational and must be addressed at their core.
“Young people have always needed, as do you and I, supportive, nurturing families, encouraging educators, motivated skill-builders, job opportunities, and a community that shows it believes in an inherent sense of dignity for all. Parents have a significant role to play to reverse these situations, as do we all.
“We can certainly start by being willing to come together collaboratively to resolve any differences that would divide us.
“As we celebrate Parliament’s unanimous decision as a step in the right direction, we can only hope to see more evidence of this willingness to work together.
“Can we agree, in the interest of a struggling society, to truly change our current paradigm and find the things that unite us rather than clinging to those things that divide us? Loss will only be gain, if these occurrences help to lift us out of this very difficult environment and culture into the spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and dignity for every individual, no matter who you are and the mistakes that you have made.
“Change cannot occur in isolation; it must happen across the island to reach the ‘tipping-point’ of change. I congratulate all of the individuals and groups in this community who are working hard towards this end. And, so much more is needed.
“The possibility of agreement on a living wage would be a tremendous next step for this island. And, it requires a spirit of “win-win, not “win-lose”. In order for us all to begin to enjoy a new resurgence in visitor arrivals, a stronger economy, opportunity for increased wages, and ultimately support to the most vulnerable in our society, we must seek the spirit of cooperation, respectfulness, partnership and ultimately, trust.
“Our children are now doing much more than just watching our actions, they are playing them out. Are we ready, and willing, to make the shift that is necessary?”
Well said.
Mr Commissiong often gets a bad rap but this motion definitely has a place in the current economy and to ensure people have the ability to make ends meet.
Well written article. It should be noted that every business is different; to impose a living wage with disregard for the business or the government’s ability to pay makes no sense. The government has to be the first one to live within their means; we should not be operating at a deficit.
Thank you Ms. Dismont- it is a step in the right direction when we consider how power and money are held and circulated in Bermuda. If we can’t all survive and thrive on this beautiful island we must ask ourselves why not?
Too often the select few are rewarded for replicating an oppressive system that involves a false economy that does not work for all our residents. Importing labour to work in our companies focused only on enhancing our quality of life – and we justify it because our laws allow if not encourage it.
I have been hearing a lot of scripture quoted recently around same sex marriage and encourage all of us to keep it simple, keep connected, be kind and do everything through love of one another.
We are our brothers keepers.
Yes. It’s about time. Too long overdue.