Kartel denied work permit!

Vybz Kartel's travelling options have again been limited, as he was recently denied a work permit to perform in St Lucia.

A statement from the St Lucian government yesterday stated that Vybz Kartel will not be given a permit to perform in that country next weekend.

It said: "Having looked carefully at the significant amount of information presented, and considering the views and opinions of the many individuals and institutions as well as available options, the Government of St Lucia, through the Ministry of Labour, Information and Broadcasting, has decided not to grant a work permit to Mr Adidja Azim Palmer, otherwise known as Vybz Kartel, for performances at the Hot FM-promoted Supreme Weekend show. This show is scheduled for April 30 and May 1, 2010."

(government option)

It continued: "Government has written to the show promoters and has offered them the option of reapplying for the granting of work permits to the other artistes included on the show with the exclusion of Mr Adidja Azim Palmer, aka Vybz Kartel."

When contacted by THE STAR, Vybz Kartel gave no comment on the matter but noted that the decision is being appealed by the show's promoter, Patrick Smith.

Prior to the decision, a committee was set up to decided the pros and cons of the request to have Vybz Kartel there. Some of the things done included a comprehensive research of the artiste's musical repertoire; soliciting the views and opinions of key institutions and organisations in the country; reviewing the rationale given for the denial of work permits for the artiste in neighbouring countries; and determining the general impact of the artiste's performance on the population, particularly the youth, amidst consistent calls for higher ethical standards and morals from a wide range of persons and institutions in society.

"The Government is cognisant that St Lucia is part of the CARICOM grouping and we will, as we have been doing, encourage and facilitate the free movement of artistes. However, the administration holds the firm view that artistes, promoters and Government have a shared responsibility as much as possible to ensure that standards prevail to the benefit of the country, particularly to the vulnerable youth in our midst," the statement said, noting that the government hopes to facilitate public forums to inform its approach in the future.

COURTESY OF THE JAMAICAR STAR