I am just writing to highlight what Jamaicans who work in the Cayman Islands are facing. We are being exploited, especially those of us who work as security guards. We have to work long hours, sometimes 250 per fortnight, and we are not being paid overtime. We have been trying to get help from the Cayman Islands Employment Relations office here since 2006 and still can't get any help. Some of us are owed in excess and CI$20,000-$25,000 or even more.

We are asking for some help from the Jamaican government. We are being robbed of our savings and are calling on the foreign affairs minister to help us.

-JAMAICAN IN CAYMAN

George Town

Cayman Islands

Plight of kids

Recently, I was made aware of the homeless children by a young teen begging for food in the Montego Bay area. I asked him where he lived and he said politely, "Under the bridge, Miss". I was shocked. I asked him about his parents. He said he doesn't know of any mother or father.

His appearance was clean, his hair combed and he seemed very pleasant. I asked him if he went to school and he said he did but the teachers were not aware of his homelessness. How is it possible that the administration would not know if a student has no guardians and no address?

I asked him how is he doing in school and how does he manage with books. He said he was doing well in school and that people help him to get uniforms, backpacks and books.

Why wasn't he at a children's home? I asked. He gave a not very pleasant report of the home he was in and that he "had to leave". The child was breaking my heart but there was nothing beyond food that I was able to help him with at the time.

If there are 6,000 homeless children in Jamaica, it's a tragedy.

-Concerned Citizen

Montego Bay

Colours on police cars

It is really a wonder and curious spectacle to see the 'nationalising' of the new 2009 SX4 Suzuki motor cars for The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

If I am correct, this would be the first time in our history as a people, that a Jamaican police car is draped in the splendour of the national colours. It does speak volume of our belief in 'Brand Jamaica' but should everything be rebranded to initiate this concept? The JUTC buses have already caught the wave and now it's the JCF's turn to be 'arrested and draped'.

This new thrust raises some questions: Is the choice of colour for branding police cars a legal issue? (2) Would this new branding require all existing vehicles in the JCF fleet to be rebranded and draped in the 'black, green and gold'?

- Andrew Salmon

andrew.salmon@hotmail.com