GINA- A review of operations at the Palms institution, Brickdam, and installation of an Interim Committee was called off Friday, after a team headed by Minister of Labour, Dr. Dale Bisnauth and including, new Permanent Secretary Mr. Phulander Kandhi, was prevented from entering the building by a protesting group.
The protesters comprising nurses, maids and seamstresses all bearing placards were loud, rude and disrespectful to Minister Bisnauth and other members of his team.
And, despite pleas by the Permanent Secretary they became more abusive to the group, thus forcing the Minister to leave the compound.
Minister Bisnauth who said he was shocked by the outburst, noted that the Ministry of Labour is willing to have the situation resolved for the betterment of all the parties involved.
He further remarked that, "the persons who are responsible for this are preventing the effective management of the institution".
Over the past weeks, there were reports in the media that The Palms was in a deplorable condition with inadequate staff, improper food and
unsanitary conditions, among other problems.
Minister Bisnauth’s visit was to have a first -hand assessment of the situation.
There are presently 288 residents and over 80 nurses, in addition to other staffers of the institution.