🌎 ACS Conference in Suriname

Happy Monday!

This week we cover the ACS conference in Suriname, negotiations and strikes between labor unions and the government, Suriname’s Press Freedom Index, and possible scandal of the President’s advisors.

Conference and various activities of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) will be held in Paramaribo from May 6 to 9

• ACS Conference in Suriname aims to enhance regional connectivity for trade, tourism, and development.

• Minister Ramdin underscores the importance of both physical and digital connectivity for sustainable growth.

• ACS emphasizes the need to elevate transport services beyond shipping to include aviation.

• Over 200 foreign guests are expected to attend, featuring meetings on cooperation and a business fair.

• Suriname's presidency of ACS focuses on climate change, connectivity improvement, and regional cooperation.

• ACS conference in Paramaribo includes the election of the next chairman and emphasizes policy areas like environmental protection and sustainable tourism.

• Key activities include the ACS Business Forum, International Cooperation Conference, and Ministerial Council Meeting to promote regional trade and economies.

C-47 continues action on Monday; government is silent

• C-47 trade union protests electricity rate increases, supported by police and educational unions.

• Lawsuit planned against government regarding rate hikes, with legal preparations underway.

• Collaboration with various unions, including police and military, forged since previous VAT increase protests.

• Confederation for Civil Servants' Organizations (COL) expresses solidarity with C-47, instructs members to support protest actions.

• COL highlights unfulfilled agreements on price control measures and increasing financial strain on public servants and pensioners.

• C-47 extends "stay at home" protest to Monday, awaiting government response to rollback request.

• Government invites Ravaksur and other unions for discussion on electricity rates, meeting postponed to May 7.

• On Friday, C-47 held an emergency Labor Assembly. The boards of the affiliated member associations have decided to continue the campaign. Nothing has yet been heard from the government about the letter sent earlier about the rollback of electricity rates.

Suriname climbs 20 places on the press freedom index

• Suriname improves by 20 points on World Press Freedom Index, climbing to 28th place.

• Previous fall from 19th to 52nd in 2022 prompted concerns, but recent progress noted.

• Vishmohanie Thomas, Surinamese Association of Journalists (SVJ) chairman, highlights persistent obstacles like "muzzling laws".

• SVJ advocates for removal of colonial-era laws allowing state intervention in press freedom.

• Despite challenges, Suriname sees no serious journalist incidents in past year, aiding progress.

• SVJ emphasizes importance of press freedom for democracy, echoing global concerns.

• Countries with journalist fatalities see declines in press freedom rankings.

• SVJ's advocacy against abuses contributes to maintaining press freedom awareness in Suriname.

Uproar in Parliament regarding electricity to Qualogy

• Rabin Parmessar, NDP faction leader, queries Qualogy's significant electricity consumption in Paranam, linked to Paul Mehilal policy advisor of the President.

• Concerns raised about preferential rates for family and friends contrasted with high energy costs for the public; can be seen in high uptick in energy usage by Qualogy

• Motion submitted by Melvin Bouva, backed by NDP, NPS, and BEP factions, calls for investigation into bitcoin mining activities and suspension of the president's advisor.

• Parmessar seeks detailed information on Qualogy's electricity usage, investment costs, and agreements, citing a conflict of interest and urging transparency.