The members of Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) are being told to disabuse their minds of the notion that the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is going to hand them the government.

In a fiery address on Sunday night at the official opening of the DLP’s St. Michael North constituency office, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and the party’s St. Michael North West candidate, Christopher Sinckler rallied the troops, as he made it clear that after working hard to keep the country strong in the face of the recession, the Freundel Stuart-led administration was prepared to fight to finish the work they have started.

“This is not like 1994. They waiting for us to hand them a government, they got to fight for it, because we are going in every nook and cranny in Barbados and speaking to the people of Barbados. So when this Democratic Labour Party caravan hits the road, when the people’s army hits the road, be prepared. You know what Grynner say? Get out the way. Get out the way Mottley; get out the way Symmonds; get out the way Bradshaw; get out the way Toppin, the people’s army is coming for Barbados and Barbadians, so that we can continue to lift our country up. And I pray to God that the Prime Minister at the right time will call the elections so we can wash them off in licks,” he said to cheers from the crowd.

Describing the DLP as a leader among institutions in the Caribbean, Sinckler said that that party of free secondary education, free health care, national insurance and workmen’s compensation, has been at the forefront of social and economic transformation of Barbados, the likes of which has not been seen anywhere else in the developing world. He made the point while stating that when the DLP came into office in 2008, it was faced with the greatest world recession since the Great Depression, but they have managed to handle it. The finance minister said his Government held the hands of Barbadians and stood firm in the breach, even when many fell by the wayside and many predicted that Barbados was finished.

“We have stood in the breach and kept Barbados together, but you know why we were able to do it? Not only because of the sound, astute leadership of Freundel Stuart and the members of his Cabinet in Barbados… we were able to do it because you the people of Barbados came within, and we took you in our confidence amidst the noise and the barking and the hollering and the tearing down of Barbados. You stood by us and we stood by you and we are Barbados strong and going forward,” the St. Michael North West candidate added.

During his speech which lasted just over 30 minutes, Sinckler referred to a recent meeting of the BLP where its Leader, Mia Mottley reportedly told those gathered they would not just vote for an MP, they would get a PM [Prime Minister], and chided the Opposition Leader charging that “if greedy wait, hot would cool”.

“The office of Prime Minister in the constitutional arrangements of Barbados’ liberal democracy is such a supreme and important office, sitting at the pinnacle of a government structure, with many powers, authorities and responsibilities that it is not to be taken flippantly. It is not like a glass of Hennessy brandy at Reggae on the Beach, please pass the brandy; bring some drinks somebody will pay. It is not that type of thing, it is a serious office for serious people who prepare themselves first by disciplining themselves first in the school of humility,” he argued.

Sinckler maintained that if anyone who aspires to the office of Prime Minister of Barbados cannot discipline themselves enough to wait; it is incumbent on the voters of Barbados to instil some discipline in them. He added it is the voters’ duty to make them understand that the office of Prime Minister is not to be trifled with.

“It is the prime trophy, it is the sacred thrust, it is the bond between the people and that representative of the Almighty here in the temporal on earth to lead people,” he stated.

THE region is more prepared for the hurricane season, but there is still a lot of work to be done in specific areas. That’s according to Ronald Jackson, Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

He was speaking to The Barbados Advocate recently at the ninth Meeting of CDEMA’s Technical Advisory Committee at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael.

Jackson continued, “We are always better prepared for the hurricane season. As a region, we have improved and a good marker of that could be the fact that year over year, despite the ferocity of the events, we have seen less deaths and that is a sign of being better prepared. Being better prepared is not only a matter of the state, but the citizens learning and that is part of our job to get individuals to know their role and there is evidence that we are becoming better prepared.

“However, we are losing the battle in critical infrastructure and the strengthening of existing critical structures and where they fail, you have more losses. If your roads are weak, hospitals don’t stand up and a major problem in the region is that a lot of the infrastructure is old.”

He identified, “We also need to look at the ability to co-ordinate multiple actors from across the globe. There is still a challenge for national level players, resources in terms of the ability to move people/assets through the Caribbean; this still remains a challenge and that came out in Dominica. We are trying to find a solution towards that maybe a mix of investment in community capacity to respond and also to house items in areas where access will be a challenge and there are a lot of other areas we are discussing at the meeting.” (NB)

Coming out of the 2018 Perinatal Data Review Conference, which took place at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital recently, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) would have expressed the need to have more equipment. Within the recent week, much to the delight of Dr. Angela Jennings, Head of the Paediatrics Department, the NICU would have received updated and much-needed pieces of equipment.

Speaking with The Barbados Advocate following their most recent handing-over ceremony, where the department was able to receive a GE B-20, Dr. Jennings highlighted that these recent donations were definitely needed, and she could not be more grateful.

“Out of the Perinatal Conference, we would have highlighted what our deficiencies were in terms of the need for equipment. As years go by, you have equipment that you obviously need to replace and replenish because everything has a lifespan; and you also have deficiencies in terms of making sure that you have the appropriate number of machinery to deal with for the patients that you have,” she said.

She explained that as the department became more advanced in the care that they provided, the patients they are seeing become more complex, which means that the equipment that they have, have to support that and be able to provide the necessary information.

“So, we are glad that we got the donation that we got on Tuesday as well, as it pretty much just marries the advancement that we’re hoping to achieve,” she said.

Jennings explained that the equipment they received was a more advanced monitor that was able to track the baby’s heart rate, its oxygen saturation and its level of carbon dioxide, which is gas that the baby will produce as he/she is breathing out.

“So it allows us to monitor that without having to do more invasive investigations. So we wouldn’t have to take blood tests from the baby to find out this information as we can obtain it via this monitor. So this is a very important progression as far as this is concerned,” she said.

“It also has two other modalities. It has the CO2 and the blood pressure. So without having to put on the blood pressure cuff, we can get minute by minute blood pressure readings on the baby so that we can identify changes that occur more readily.”

Environmental health issues are serious issues in the Caribbean. That was the word coming from Ronald Jackson, Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

While speaking to The Barbados Advocate at the ninth Meeting of CDEMA’s Technical Advisory Committee at Baobab Tower, Warrens, he stated, “It is not just about sewage management, it is about general waste management in the Caribbean. If we are not managing waste properly, all of these are hazards, then under adverse events such as hurricanes, floods would be a concern. For instance, a country which may have a failing sewage system and then you have a flood, then you are increasing the volume of liquids in that space and therefore magnifying the problem.

“One of the reasons we talk about management of risk as a development issue because the challenges that we face is where development fails. We push to have improved standards; this has been a long-standing campaign and we have been working with the entities. What we have realised is that there are a lot of countries that have the building codes and legislation, but the problem is enforcing. The campaigning for sound construction, monitoring and enforcement will continue in the region by CDEMA.”

The Executive Director explained, “This meeting is one of our annual governance meetings, where the heads of national disaster offices and regional institutions of the Caribbean come together to look at the programmes for CDEMA, review polices and discuss lessons learnt from previous hurricane seasons. However, we keep pulling the same lessons from each event, so it means we are not learning as a region and that is something that I’m concerned about in terms of the level of investment, in terms of operational readiness at the national level. The critical agents of the state nationally are still not well equipped with resources to be able to deal with the extent of vulnerability and exposure of many of the small states.” (NB)

Youth gathered at the Barbados Youth Service’s five day World of Work Seminar this week will be exposed to some critical information, aimed at grooming them to function effectively in the workplace.

The World of Work Seminar which got underway as of yesterday at the headquarters of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) in Dalkeith, St. Michael, will run until Friday of this week and youth participants will be exposed to a number of work related topics. Those who are successful in completing the seminar and who excel in key areas, will also be presented with job attachment opportunities, via the BYS programme.

Counsellor Kay Stoute, in giving the seminar outline and objectives noted, “Basically this seminar is to give you information to help you in the world of work, whether it be next week or for those CSEC students who will be going on job attachment later in the year”.

Some of the objectives of the seminar meanwhile are, to provide participants with valuable information to ensure greater awareness of job expectations in the working environment; to offer viable options in terms of opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and further training; to provide tools needed to enhance the soft skills necessary for participants to function in the world of work and to sensitise participants about workers’ rights, responsibilities and procedures in the workplace.

The overall theme for the seminar is, “Working Together Today, Towards a Productive Tomorrow”, but Stoute indicated that each day will also focus on a subtheme, as the youth are taken through their paces by various facilitators.

The first day focused on “Gaining The Edge” and consisted of sessions focusing on both trainee as well as employer expectations, labour legislation and NIS benefits.

Day two will carry the subtheme, “Success Through Synergy”, with emphasis on effective communication, customer service, professional grooming and attire for the world of work.

Day three will focus on “Igniting Team Spirit” and participants will take a look at work ethics and team building, resolving conflict in the workplace and undergo group work and team activities.

Under the subtheme, “In It To Win It”, day four will explore the topic of entrepreneurship and how to start a business and there and there will be a motivational talk by Corey Lane, Manager of the Nature Fun Ranch, as well as a panel discussion by participants of the Youth Ministry’s YES Programme.

Day Five will be themed “Partners in Progress” and will introduce participants to gender relations in the workplace and sexual harassment matters. Focus will also be placed on exploring the role of the trade unions. Job attachment allocations will be made on this day as well as the presentation of awards, for those who stand out in various areas. (RSM)

St Michael North is no Barbados Labour Party stronghold, says Patrick Todd.

The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Candidate for St Michael North East, who was at the time addressing the opening of the constituency office of St Michael North’s candidate Kim Tudor, sought to remind Barbadians that DLP stalwart Sir Philip Greaves represented that area from 1965 until 1994, when he retired from active politics.

When the general election is called, Tudor, a first-time candidate will go up against the Labour Party’s Ronald Toppin who has since held that constituency.

Todd also recalled that the previous DLP candidate for St Michael North in the last two elections, Francis Depeiza, came extremely close to victory on both occasions.

However, he believes that Barbadians, 30 years and younger, are unaware of the DLP’s stamp in that constituency.

“They came along hearing Labour Party winning St Michael North so they figure it’s some stronghold, but we know different. So, we have to inform those younger folk that in fact the Democratic Labour Party has won St Michael North and neighbouring St Michael North East by massive majorities in the past and we intend to do so when the next general election is called,” he declared.

“Political Scientist Dr Neville Duncan said publicly on a number of occasions that from a professional point of view, the fact is that the majority of the electorate in Barbados support the Democratic Labour Party.”

“So, once the DEMs come out in their numbers we will win the next general election by an increased majority. But, what the Barbados Labour Party detractors like to do is confuse the DEMs into complaining about this and that, and say that they are not voting… But, we the Democratic Labour Party supporters have seen the errors of our ways and we are coming out in our numbers next election and we will win throughout Barbados,” Todd said. (TL)

LOCAL application (app) developers are being challenged to create an app that can help users to track calories of local foods.

The challenge was issued yesterday by Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, who was delivering remarks at the launch of the new Pharma Wellness International Inc.’s Information Technology Platform, Website and Public Programme at the Diabetes Centre in Warrens yesterday.

She said the apps that can be found on smartphones and other devices do not reflect or consider the caloric content of local foods.

“You try to track foods and for each food you have to go in and choose the type of food, but there is nothing there for breadfruit cou cou and salt fish,” she mused.

“These are things that we have to do now. We have to start looking at our local variants. Because we want to encourage people to eat healthy, eat local.”

“Technology is the way to go. It is one thing to put it out in books, but not enough people are getting it. But to find the apps that we can reach people. Those messages that you send so that they can understand our local foods. It is okay to know about cranberries and blueberries, but they also need to know about our foods. The value of those foods and what they contribute in terms of calories.”

Dr. Byer-Suckoo remarked on the many ways in which Information Technology can play a role in the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“Technology has changed our lives so much in the last 20 years. The way we socialise, the way we shop, the way we do our banking. Every aspect of our life has changed so much because of technology. Even in terms of how diabetes is managed,” she explained.

However, she noted that in spite of the technological advancements, there is still a lot of myths, misconceptions and ignorance about diabetes, with some persons remarking that they were told they have a “trace of sugar” years before, but never followed up with their doctor.

“We have to ensure that we tackle them with lifestyle intervention. Exercise, diet, but also the workplace… And we can’t now talk about diabetes without talking about childhood obesity. We have to get involved in the schools. Work and school – we cannot leave out those aspects as we try to prevent and treat diabetes and other lifestyle diseases. We have to get people where they are,” the Minister urged.

To this end, she commended the Workplace Wellness Policy and the efforts of the Pharma Wellness in the empowerment of patients.

She said patient empowerment leads to more patients reporting side-effects of medication, less wastage and allows the patient to see themselves at the centre of care being administered.

The Labour Minister commended the IT platform, which will enable persons whose workplaces may not be a part of the Wellness Programme but who will be able to reap the benefits of the programme, which has been in existence for four years.

She said while youth unemployment is a challenge, it can also be seen as an opportunity to find solutions to many threats in Barbados, including NCDs, climate change and reef degradation. Many of these ideas she says if exportable, can tackle the foreign exchange challenge facing the country. (JH)

A number of youth in the Barbados Youth Service (BYS) have been encouraged to capitalise on all employment opportunities presented to them, by way of job attachments offered as part of the BYS programme.

This critical piece of advice came from Terry Bascombe, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, as he addressed the youth yesterday at a World of Work Seminar hosted by the BYS, at the headquarters of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) in Dalkeith, St. Michael.

“According to reports from the Barbados Statistical Service, the overall unemployment rate from 2015 to 2017 stood at 11.4 per cent.

The figures recorded for unemployment among youth stood on average at just over 30 per cent for the corresponding period – 2015 at 31.9 per cent; 2016 at 31.1 per cent and 2017 at 30.6 per cent. Bearing these statistics in mind, I would like to stress the importance of one, making good use of employment opportunities by way of job attachments as are offered by the BYS; and two, being appropriately trained in your chosen careers to ensure job security and to develop your country’s human resources.”

He further admonished, “When you embark on your ten-week attachment, whether next week or in a few months, as is the case for the CSEC students, your willingness to work, display of good work ethics and good staff relations will be determining factors in whether or not you could possibly maintain employment.”

“I urge you not to take this seminar or your work assignments lightly, as this is your opportunity to get your foot through the door and shine. I am confident that each of you have a contribution to make to this small island in whatever area you are interested in pursuing,” the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary further advised, as he encouraged those gathered to go out into the world of work and make a positive mark.

Counsellor Kay Stoute, meanwhile, reminded the youngsters that only those who attended all five days of the World of Work Seminar and put their best foot forward, would have the opportunity to be considered for a job attachment, as completion of this phase of the programme was key to their progression. As such, she encouraged the fifty or so young persons gathered to embrace the valuable information presented, which will enable them to function effectively in the working world.

The Magnum Tonic Wine Reggae Beach Party kicked off the Barbados Reggae Festival with a bang as headliner Aidonia sent everyone into a frenzy with his electrifying performance on Sunday.

The final act on a line up which feature local and regional performers, Aidonia (Sheldon Lawrence) took to the stage just before 11 pm, with an energetic introduction of songs that set the tone for his performance to come.

With the crowd already moving before he touched the stage he took the Pirates Cove venue on an hour-long journey that left their tongues wagging as he performed some of his hits over the years, as well as sampling some of the other popular musicians from Jamaica, two of whom were Sizzla Kalonji and Capleton.

The Jamaican musician also brought on local musicians Porgie and Murdah during his performance.

Such was the explosion of energy on the stage that Aidonia even took it to the fans as he made two trips into the crowd, jumping from the stage into the general section of the venue where he continued to sing much to the delight of the patrons.

His captivating performance held the crowd until the very end and only when he had left the stage after his final song did the fans leave the packed venue.

Earlier the crowd was rocking to Ding Dong and Shenseea who teamed up after their individual performances for “Fling Yuh Shoulda”.

Local performers that had the crowd rocking were Stiffy, Porgie and Murdah, Lady Essence, Jagwa and Champ, Scrilla and Kas Katee.

The DJs also had the crowd swaying as DJ Puffy moved the crowd with his set, as well as Dj Scott Le Roc and Mali Fresh.

The Barbados Reggae Festival continues with the Mount Gay Extra Old Vintage Reggae Show & Dance at the 3Ws, Kensington Oval on Friday April 27th; Reggae Party Cruise on board the MV Dream Chaser on Saturday April 28, and climaxes with Digicel Reggae on the Hill at the Farley Hill National Park, St. Peter, on Sunday April 29. (CG)

Our National Heroes’ have been able to make great sacrifices and offered tremendous contributions to national, economic, social and religious landscape of Barbados.

Canon Noel Burke said this during his greetings at the Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving held at The Sealy Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church on Sunday. In the presence of the Prime Minister of Barbados, The Right Honourable Freundel Stuart, Minister of Tourism, Honourable Richard Sealy and his aides, Canon Burke added that the national heroes worked against tremendous odds, their thinking often ran counter to the prevailing views of their day.

“[National Heroes’] lives were such that they changed the trend of thinking, fabric and outlook of many in Barbados. They demonstrated what we can do and those things which we are capable even with the few and limited resources of our island,” said Canon Burke.

Under the theme of “Keeping Alive the Memories of National Heroes”, Canon Burke explained that the [service] was to place the National Heroes’ contributions within a theological framework of powerful themes of the Exodus story, that of the resurrection of Jesus – that people must always be free.

“[People] must always be free to participate in financial, economic, social, spiritual and religious enterprises of human life. With the human dynamic of building communities in which we can help each other and receive the kind of help that is vital if it is all able to move from strength to strength,” said Canon Burke.

He ended his greeting by thanking God for Sealy Memorial AME Church and their leadership offered the ecumenical service to the nation. Additionally, Canon Burke prayed that the acknowledgement of the national heroes will inspire all of Barbadians to take their duties and responsibilities as citizens seriously.

“We honour their memory and take up the mantle to make life better for all,” said Canon Burke.

GOVERNOR General Dame Sandra Mason is being applauded by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Donna Babb-Agard, QC, for the contribution she has made to the growth and development of the law profession in Barbados.

Speaking during a luncheon to honour Dame Sandra, at the Cin Cin restaurant, Babb-Agard described the Governor General as a resilient dynamic daughter of the soil who has held various posts – some which were: banker; teacher; attorney at law, magistrate; ambassador, registrar, High court judge, and court of appeal judge.

“I have admired over the years, the grace and poise with which you, Dame Sandra, have navigated those challenges and silenced the critics, to achieve this well-deserved honour.”

“I am confident that Your Excellency would agree with me that the rewards which inevitably flowed from your stellar contributions to the reformation of criminal justice and the improved rights of women and children in the region, have been bestowed-not by man, but by God’s Righteous Right hand on your life. All things are possible, with God,” she said.

The DPP indicated that majority of her interaction with Dame Sandra has been around Hallowed Halls of Justice where she made several appearances in Criminal Appeal maters on behalf of the Crown. She said any Attorney-at-Law who has appeared before the Court of Appeal over which Dame Sandra has often presided as President, knows only too well that to waste her time and that of the Court can be classified as a “dereliction of duty”.

“If, as a practitioner in the Court of Appeal, you were on the receiving end of one of Madame Justice Mason’s signature sardonic smiles, and the roll of her penetrating eyes, which served as a warning shot to move, then you knew that you were well-served to abandon your submissions in mid-flight. Her Excellency has never seen the point of wasting words, or flogging a dead horse,” Babb-Agard said.

Babb-Agard said that her personal interactions with Her Excellency outside of the Courtroom have always been cordial, as she has been a mentor, always willing to share her wise counsel.

“She was sure to remind me to continue to approach my profession with integrity and not to compromise my standards for any man, or woman. I remember that just before I was elevated to the honour of Queen’s Counsel in 2009, and to the post of Director of Public Prosecutions this January 2018, Her Excellency telephoned me in my office. To say that she spoke to me frankly, on each occasion about the responsibility that is attached to those positions, would be an understatement,” Babb-Agard said. (AH)

A project seeking to strengthen the Open Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) to make high-quality education available to more people across the Caribbean through the use of distance education technologies has exceeded expectations.

Partnering with Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Universal Service Fund (USF) to execute the Strengthening Distance Education in the Caribbean (SDEC) Project, the Open Campus is reporting phenomenal growth in the number of programmes that are relevant to the needs of private and public sectors regionally.

Word of this came from Dr Luz Longsworth, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal at The UWI Open Campus during the SDEC Project Showcase, held at Hilton Barbados Resort, yesterday.

“We have been able to develop programmes that have expanded access to our students in the region allowing them to stay home,... to earn and contribute to their countries,” she pointed out.

“With over 20 new degree programmes and over 130 new courses online as well as 37 and counting, new continuing and professional education programmes, the Project has exceeded the goals of achieving larger numbers of relevant programmes for our people.”

The technological improvements that have been funded through the SDEC project have created a robust system for student support, records management and an agile platform for growth.

Dr Longsworth also observed that through online study and the innovative funding model of the Open Campus, each country now has the opportunity to educate their population with a first-class quality UWI degree at a lower cost. She explained this is particularly relevant to students from countries without a physical UWI campus, but also is instrumental for those students who live or work in remote locations or who for personal reasons are unable to attend a physical campus.

Moreover, the Principal highlighted that St Lucia has been the fastest growing site over the 10 years of the Open Campus. Now, with approximately 800 students online, St Lucia is their third largest site behind Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago.

“When we look at the analysis of the cost of educating 800 students at degree level – undergraduate to doctoral level – the annual cost to the government of St Lucia for educating each student is below US$2,000 per student, per year,” she revealed.

“There is no where that kind of cost effectiveness for higher education of a good quality degree can be found. This is the message that we need to get out to the region about the power of what the Open Campus and the online modality can do in transforming those numbers that we are always lamenting about.”

Professor Sir Hilary Beckles Vice-Chancellor, The University of the West Indies expressed his appreciation to the partners for their support.

“The Government of Canada, through their Development Strategy, invested CAD$20 million in this project to expand distance education across the Caribbean. Indeed, this Canadian investment respected 60 percent of the overall resource allocation. The CDB made a significant contribution of $3 million, as did the Universal Service Fund of Jamaica making a contribution of CAD $1.1 million. These resources were matched with those already provided by the Open Campus at the University of the West Indies.”

Describing the project as being “brilliantly executed,” Sir Hilary also said it has become a model, not only for the University but for other institutions, in terms of how to implement effectively an internationally-funded project.

“The Open Campus was transformed, the impact of this investment and the effectiveness of this project have empowered the University of the West Indies to meet its broader remit to the people of the Caribbean,” he stated. (TL)

THERE is the view that more must be done to ascertain the true impact of non-communicable diseases on the economy of Barbados.

It comes from veteran trade unionist Orlando “Gabby” Scott who was speaking during the recent launch of the new Pharma Wellness International Inc’s Information Technology Platform, Website and Public Programme at the Diabetes Centre in Warrens.

The Assistant General Secretary, while highlighting the benefits seen from the partnership forged between Pharma Wellness and the BWU in the empowerment of workers to take greater control of their health, said as the leading trade union organisation in the Eastern Caribbean, the BWU is profoundly concerned not only about the physical health of the workforce and on families, but how ill-health affects our economy.

“Only recently we have heard that Barbadians are eating themselves to death. The reality is that we in Barbados could find ourselves being threatened if indeed, we are not, by a lifestyle disease epidemic because NCDs are really the major cause of illness and death in Barbados. Yet, notwithstanding the cries from the Ministry of Health and the health NGOs, we are still behaving like couch potatoes,” he pointed out.

“When workers and their families are afflicted by NCDs or indeed, by workplace accidents, missed days at work (absenteeism) and reduced performance (presenteeism) leads to loss productivity. Whilst we are unable to quote statistics about Barbados’ situation, a report released in 2007 by DeVol et al in the USA estimated that indirect-related losses were more expensive than the direct health care costs to treat chronic diseases.”

“We need though, in Barbados to be able to have better and update reporting of our situation and perhaps those who should take notice, would take notice,” he stated.

Noting that over the past two decades the BWU has been in the vanguard in promoting healthy living, both at the level of the worksite and nationally, he revealed that through the establishment of Pharma Wellness International, the BWU has been able to make far more practical steps in its quest to improve the health of its staff, its membership and retirees.

“This programme allows the workers to monitor their health, in a systematic manner, by way of examining their biometric data. This system, as you know, allows the worker, with the advice of Pharma Wellness International to monitor, over a set time, their blood sugar, their blood pressure their waistline and their weight, thus providing them and Pharma Wellness International with the vital information to make necessary lifestyle changes like diet and physical exercise.”

While tackling the health challenges affecting the workforce is paramount through preventative programmes, Scott stressed that more radical changes must be made at the childhood level.

“As the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) led by Professor Sir Trevor Hassell has pointed out, there is a critical link between childhood obesity and NCDS. That evidence is clear.”

“I plead that we in Barbados should support the HCC’s launch of the childhood obesity prevention on-line petition which is part of its broader “too much junk” campaign to reduce childhood obesity through the enactment of polices and legislation such as the imposition of a tax of not less than 25 per cent of sugar sweetened beverages, banning the sale, promotion and marketing of sugar sweetened beverages and unhealthy fast/junk foods in schools and the adoption and application of regional standards for nutritional and front-of-package labelling of foods and beverages,” he said.
(JH)

Barbados has signed a Bilateral Agreement of Technical Co-operation with the Argentine Republic.

That agreement has marked the first time that the two countries, which this year are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations, have joined ties in such a way. The signing took place yesterday morning at the Accra Beach Resort during the opening ceremony of the Argentine-Caribbean Regional Co-operation Workshop.

Speaking moments before signing the agreement alongside Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Barbados Gustavo Pandiani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Maxine McClean, said the aim is to promote technical Co-operation in areas of common interest between the two countries through the exchange of technical expertise and people-to-people exchanges.

Minister McClean said the agreement also seeks to bolster public-private partnerships and capacity building of institutions and personnel. To that end, she is confident that it will serve as a critical tool to enhance the technical Co-operation efforts and solidify overall bilateral relations between the two countries.
“Since Barbados and Argentina established diplomatic relations in 1968, technical Co-operation has been the hallmark of our relationship. I am pleased to say that with the re-opening of the Argentine Embassy in Bridgetown in 2013, there has been a steady increase in bilateral engagements between our countries and a marked enhancement of collaboration and Co-operation between Bridgetown and Buenos Aires. The stage is also set for Barbados and Argentina to further deepen its relations as more cultural Co-operation and exchanges are being explored,” she said.

Her comments came as she spoke of the technical assistance Argentina has given to Barbados in the area of agriculture, particularly with respect to the fisheries and dairy sectors. She spoke glowingly of that help, which she explained has seen the fishing community putting what they have learnt into practice. With that in mind, she revealed that her Ministry and the Argentine Embassy have engaged in discussions surrounding the importance of developing agro-businesses as a “formidable avenue for entrepreneurial activity”.

“This would serve to stimulate the economy while strengthening national and regional efforts to improve food security. The ability to feed your populations is a priority of all governments,” she affirmed.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Pandiani made it clear that the Technical Co-operation Agreement will not be “empty words”. In fact, he told the gathering that there will be tangible results seen through the various projects which his embassy intends to roll out during the course of this year, as efforts are made to mark the golden jubilee.

“I am pleased to announce that the Embassy’s cultural agenda for the 50th anniversary celebration includes an Argentine Film Festival at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination at the University of the West Indies from July 9 to 11 [and] the first ever performance by an Argentine singer at both Pan Fusion and Pan Pun De Sand during Crop Over,” he said.

Ambassador Pandiani said that his embassy has also decided to partner with the National Cultural Foundation, and will for the first time, make their national dance Tango a part of the upcoming Crop Over Festival. According to Pandiani, on August 4 and 5, 2018, they will offer a series of Tango shows and Tango clinics at Bridgetown Market. He said though it is a “risky” endeavour, he is confident that it will be a hit with persons.

Additionally, he indicated that from August 10 to 11, the embassy will host a play, directed by an Argentine playwright at the Frank Collymore Hall. (JRT)

THE Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) is expecting a massive turnout for this Saturday’s Heroes’ Day Picnic and Political Rally at Barclay’s Park,
St. Andrew.

Chairman of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), George Payne, has called on all Barbadians on that day to show solidarity with BLP and those who believe that the Freundel Stuart administration is playing around with the people of Barbados and has yet to call elections.

While speaking yesterday at the site visit, he also expressed his disappointment that even though they have requested the use of 15 Transport Board buses, they have received no response and he believes that this is a political move.

According to him, “The BLP normally holds a picnic to commemorate the founding of the BLP. This is the 80th anniversary picnic and it is special because it is election year and the 28th of April, in addition to National Heroes’ Day, it is the birthday of Sir Grantley Adams, the founder of the BLP. Last year we attracted an audience of over 15 000 and from all indications it appears we will have double that because of interest that has been showed in the picnic and it is election year.”

He explained, “We are disappointed that a number of buses from the Transport Board we may not have those facilities this year. Very early in February we wrote the Transport Board, we indicated to them we need 15 buses and they didn’t respond. We sent e-mails and they indicated they would get back to us and up to this date they have not done so. This is in contrast to last year where we had actually their response within a week of being informed.

“I would think revenue would be welcomed, but one of the things that is disconcerting they have not even come back to us to tell us why. I believe it is political because it is election year and I believe they have been directed not to allow the BLP to be accommodated with any buses from the Transport Board and this is unfortunate because we have been holding this event for years and we have never had any issues. It is discourteous for the Transport Board to behave in this manner.”

However, Payne indicated, “We have taken the decision to hire over 185 minibuses because we want to make sure everyone is able to come and we would like those persons in support of the BLP and who are supportive that the Prime Minister has failed to call elections on time to wear something red on Saturday in solidarity with BLP. We would like Saturday to be a red letter day and if you can’t make it to the East Coast, we are asking you to wear something red.” (NB)

There are certain international standards that post offices across the world have to adhere to and the General Post Office in Barbados is one of them.

This is according to Acting Deputy Postmaster General, International Postal Affairs and Business Development at the General Post Office (GPO), Iris Lashley, who spoke with The Barbados Advocate on the sidelines of an EAD and EMSEVT V3 Compliance for Express Mail Service (EMS) Workshop held yesterday at the GPO.

She stated that there are regulations and information that keeps changing and it is important that staff keep up-to-date with these changes if they are going to do their job efficiently and provide the best possible customer service to the citizens of this island.

“We have many regulations and information that keeps changing and we have to ensure that we are familiar with what we have to do. We have to avail ourselves of all the information – all the documents that we are supposed to be up-to-date with. We have to be very familiar with them and apart from that, we have to ensure that customer service is paramount because obviously within the post office, there are things that we would know and that we would be dealing with. However, we have to be able to communicate to the customers what is required of them and also ensure that the service that we give is very efficient and to ensure that as they work and do business with us, that they are able to guarantee that their packages and their items arrive at the required time.”

Lashley continued by stating that being in the region does not exempt them from following these standards and therefore, it is important for the hands-on employees to know about these criteria.

“Even though we are operating here in Barbados and in the Caribbean region, there are standards that are set throughout the world and we have to reach them and maintain them and therefore we have to operate under the performance standards and we are paid according to the standards, whether we have reached them or whether we have not been able to achieve them. So we are looking also at electronic means as to how we would conduct business in exchanging the express mail items and we are looking at introducing at least one of the applications which would allow us here in Barbados, we send off items, to enter those items so that the receiving countries can know what is coming… And then when we are on the other end where persons are sending express mail items to us, we can see what is coming so that the things can actually be examined before they touch down on Barbados.”

THE General Post Office is holding a conference to train their hands-on staff in the Express Mail Service systems and procedures.

This is coming from Acting Deputy Postmaster General, International Postal Affairs and Business Development at the General Post Office (GPO), Iris Lashley, who spoke with The Barbados Advocate on the sidelines of an EAD and EMSEVT V3 Compliance for Express Mail Service (EMS) Workshop held yesterday at the GPO.

“This conference is our Express Mail Service Workshop. It is being held here in Barbados from the 24th of April to the 27th and it is being held in conjunction with the La Poste (Group) in France, the International Bureau (IB) and the United States Postal Service (USPS); and it is dealing with the different aspects of the compliance for the EMS for the Caribbean region. We are covering topics that would be primarily (associated) with the implementation of the applications, which allow us to actually do the interacting and exchange of the Express Mail Service items with countries throughout the world.

“Normally we have been having sessions so far at least twice a year, the minimum. This is a new cycle that we entered in 2016 and in this cycle we are actually looking at repositioning and retooling all of our Caribbean staff and workers, because we recognise that this area is a very competitive area and if we are not up to the standards that are required, then we would be losing business. So from the mandate that we were given at our last conference in 2016, we recognised that we have to do business differently and so we have been doing these sessions and training persons to come up to par with the standards required and to make sure that we are still a viable entity.”

The facilitators are drawn from Switzerland, France and the USA while the participants are drawn from across the Caribbean. Some of the areas that will be discussed are the business plan for the EMS Co-operative and adopting the appropriate standards. (PJT)

A Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate in the upcoming general election says the harsh criticism levelled at the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL) has been unfortunate, as the levy has been instrumental in keeping many Barbadians employed.

The incumbent for the St. Michael West Central seat, James Paul, made the point while addressing a sizeable crowd on Sunday night at the opening of the St. Michael North Constituency Office, at Eden Lodge, St. Michael.

“[There are] people walking around this country that still don’t know why the Democratic Labour Party had to introduce the NSRL; and even in our own party, I am going to be very frank with this, there are people who misunderstand the purpose of the NSRL. This NSRL in this country saved jobs and what it also did is that it gave us some fiscal space, that’s what we needed,” he contended.

Defending the introduction of the levy, which attracted the wrath of many in the business community and the trade unions, the DLP hopeful contended that contrary to popular belief, the NSRL has not been imposed on everything. Referring to the VAT-free basket of goods, he said there are over 350 food items that the levy was not placed on, a fact which he said the private sector has also failed to highlight.

“We have a private sector in this country we have to be very careful of, I am part of it. Be very careful, because it is not a homogenous private sector. We have different players, different actors with different games to be played and what do they do? They exploit the naiveté of poor people. As they say, ‘Nature don’t like a vacuum, it has to be filled,’ and I am saying to you members of the Democratic Labour Party and those good people out there who understand what this Government is trying to do. We have to continue to explain to those people; do not disrespect the intelligence of Barbadians to understand the issues,” Paul maintained.

His comments came as he charged that detractors of the party have also been promoting a bad narrative about Barbados. He warned that if Barbadians are not careful, the society will see a “new low” in these detractors’ quest to get what they desire.

“We have to understand that we have to market the good in as much as they are out there marketing the bad, because at the end of the day we are fighting for the souls of people, we are fighting to help them understand the direction they need to go,” he stated. (JRT)

A lot of things are happening in agriculture in Barbados but somehow they are not being captured in statistics relating to the sector’s contribution to the economy.

Ms. Ena Harvey, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation (IICA) Representative in Barbados, laid out this shortcoming during an exclusive interview with the Barbados Advocate.

IICA is a specialised agency in the Inter American System and provides technical and other assistance to member states in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Ms. Harvey, who attended a workshop dealing with cooperation between Argentina and the Caribbean, said that there is a need to change the methodology in assessing Agriculture’s contribution to GDP, and factor in a lot more of what is taking place in agriculture.

She said with the present system one does not hear about the downstream activities like agro-processing, jobs, the social aspects of the economy, the linkages with tourism, contribution to the small scale producer, the environment, you don’t hear about those contributions …,” she declared. All you hear about is sugar and non-sugar agriculture.

Ms. Harvey pointed to a method known as the Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) which is used by the tourism industry to account for its importance to the economy. “We don’t hear about that for agriculture, which is not given the full treatment,” she declared.

The IICA official said that tremendous work continues to be undertaken in Barbados and in the Caribbean with local commodities like sweet potatoes, yams, cassava, and breadfruit creating new products from them. The same thing goes for the black belly sheep, and she acknowledged also that several persons have been trained in the various disciplines of the sector. Some of them are engaged in producing new products as well.

The IICA official maintained that when people talk about agriculture they are still talking about the fields and production of raw materials, but nothing about the agri-food sector.

“When you look at tourism there is, for example, a report put out every year by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) which shows the economic linkages of tourism with the rest of the economy, and the true contribution of agriculture in some countries,” she remarked.
She admitted that as an agency they cannot always boast about the projects, the training and the research that have taken place and which are continuing.

According to her, the IICA is working closely with other agencies like the FAO, UN Women, and UNDP, to make impacts on the ground with respect to climate change, smart agriculture, family agriculture, and working with the youth.

She said that every year the agency runs a youth farm programme, in association with the Ministry of Agriculture, providing certification for over 130 students, some of who have found permanent employment in the private sector.

An IDB project called Impact was recently concluded. That programme dealt with competency based training for over 200 participants. They were also certified in crop production, agro processing, rabbit production.

“In the area of compliance with Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary (SPS) measures, we have looked at legislation for plant and animal health, fisheries and food safety, across all 15 countries of the region,” Harvey said.

“We have also looked at national and regional coordination in the areas of management for food safety and we have trained over 3 000 persons over the last three years,” according to her.

“All over the region there were projects taking place,” she added. (JB)

A Cabinet minister is highlighting the importance of Barbados becoming a bilingual society, especially in this globalised era.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Maxine McClean raised the topic while addressing representatives from across the Caribbean, who are in Barbados this week for the Argentine-Caribbean Regional Cooperation Workshop being held at the Accra Beach Resort. She told the gathering that as Barbadians are called upon to engage in an increasingly integrated global society in order to bolster our trade linkages with our partners, it will be imperative that persons can speak more than one language, with Spanish, she explained, being the primary choice. With that in mind, she said concerted efforts are being made to take Barbados in that direction.

“We live in an increasingly globalised world where physical borders are waning in importance [and] real time transactions are occurring without the physical movement of people and money. In view of this reality, I am of the view that it is also critical for us to enhance the language skills of our children and citizens by improving the quality of Spanish training offered in our schools and institutions,” McClean stated.

Meanwhile, turning her attention to the relationship between the Argentine Republic and the countries of the Caribbean, McClean said while each country is at a different stage in their national development, there is still so much they can share with and learn from each other. She made the point while contending that the difference in culture, size and historical experiences, provide our countries with a very interesting basis for cooperation both bilaterally and in the broader multilateral contexts. The Foreign Minister’s comments came as she noted that our countries face very similar global challenges that threaten our efforts to achieve sustained economic growth and development.

In reference to the workshop, Minister McClean said it, along with several initiatives being executed across the region by the Government of Argentina, show that the South American country is actively seeking to reinvigorate relations with CARICOM countries. She bolstered that point while noting that Argentina has in fact expanded its embassy network within the Region. She said that in addition to re-opening of its Embassy in Barbados, the Argentine Government has also re-opened its Embassy in Guyana and established new Missions in St. Lucia and Suriname.

With that in mind, the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister said she is confident that the discussions held yesterday and today will be “immensely productive and fruitful” and she is keen to see the tangible initiatives which will spring from such discussions. (JRT)