For the third time since coming to office, the Barbados Labour Party Government convened a meeting with the Social Partnership.

Among those attending yesterday’s Social Partnership meeting, which was expected to be an intense work session, were Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association, Charles Herbert; President of the National Union of Public Workers, Akanni McDowall and General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union, Senator Toni Moore.

On the Government’s side, leading the delegation was Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who was accompanied by Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn; Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs Marsha Caddle; Minister of Labour and Social Partnership, Colin Jordan and Ambassador Dr. Clyde Mascoll, Chief Economic Counsellor to the Minister of Finance, among others.

Yesterday’s meeting, which was closed to the media, was held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. It came on the heels of the meeting held last Friday at the same location, which at the conclusion; Prime Minister Mottley announced that Government had decided to suspend payments due on debts owed to external commercial creditors. But, she said the intention is to make scheduled domestic interest payments, but domestic creditors will be asked to roll over principal maturities until restructuring agreements are concluded.

In last week’s briefing Prime Minister Mottley also revealed that Government was working to complete a comprehensive economic reform programme for the country, which she explained is intended to stabilise the public finances and create an environment to facilitate a return of sustained economic growth. She indicated that that plan is designed to attract balance of payments support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), of which a team is expected to be in Barbados as of today to begin discussions.

That IMF team is being led by Dr Bert van Selm, formerly the IMF resident representative to Jamaica. In a statement regarding Dr van Selm’s visit, Managing Director of the IMF, Christine Lagarde stated that their “ultimate goal” is to assist Barbados in achieving not only higher living standards, but more inclusive growth going forward.

Should Barbados enter into a formal IMF plan, it would be the first time since the early 1990s that the country would have done so.

THE island’s top judge, Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson, is of the view that drug treatment can be more cost effective than the incarceration of the drug offender.

He was at the time addressing the opening of the Drug Treatment Court (DTC) Training Workshop, held at the Savannah Beach Hotel yesterday.

Judges, magistrates, defence attorneys, prosecutors, probation officers and drug treatment providers were exposed to the training, which was part of the response under the Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) component of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Crime and Security Programme between the European Union and CARIFORUM.

“When the studies are done, we will discover that it is more cost effective to treat than to punish,” he stressed, pointing to the cost of incarcerating one person at Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds, which is approximately $30 000 to $35 000 a year.

“If you multiply that by 1 200, you come to a pretty penny. So, it means even if you sentence someone to six months, you are spending between $15 000 to $17 500 on their upkeep, and you are just keeping them in prison, you are not treating them.”

The Chief Justice explained that the idea of a Drug Treatment Court is centred on treatment and the need to return that person to, at least some semblance of respect in society.

“As I said before, addiction is a neurological issue. A lot of people believe that you can tell the person to just ‘kick the habit’, but it does not work that way. What addiction does is that it completely rewires the neural pathways in your brain, with the result that trying to ‘kick the habit’ is difficult, and what it means is that incarcerating the person does not help – what is needed is treatment.”

Sir Marston also highlighted that one of the main challenges with the DTC in Barbados as indicated by DTC Judge, Magistrate Graveney Bannister is the need to strengthen the treatment team.

“We need to get more people from the Probation Department to produce the reports…”

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Dale Marshall QC gave the assurance that the new government will fully support the efforts of the Drug Treatment Court.

Moreover, he expressed concern that Magistrate Bannister is only able to sit in the DTC once a month.

“I somehow suspect that he would rather be immersed for longer periods of time in the Drug Treatment Court, so that we can really see the full benefits… .To the extent that it is possible, we may have to make a few changes, but I give you my assurance that I will strain every sinew to ensure the opportunity to devote more time to that particular enterprise.

“This court will really only achieve the results that we need if the government stands fully behind it, and I give you my commitment to stand fully behind the court,” he said.

The activity is being carried out under the leadership of the Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), Secretariat for Multidimensional Security, Organization of American States (OAS) and the CARICOM Secretariat.

THERE is still no word on who will be appointed the second Opposition Senator.

Yesterday, while the first Opposition Senator Caswell Franklyn was sworn in by Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason, Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley would only tell the media that the second senator would be named “shortly”, while encouraging the media to focus on Franklyn, who has been receiving high commendation as a choice for the senate. Atherley left the Barbados Labour Party on Thursday to become the leader of the Opposition. On Saturday, it was announced that Franklyn was Atherley’s first Senate pick.

Other Members of Parliament sworn in yesterday were Chairman of Committees Dr. Sonia Browne, Deputy Speaker Gline Clarke, Ian Gooding-Edghill, Speaker of the House Arthur Holder and Ralph Thorne, in time for the full sitting of the House of Assembly today.

Franklyn, a well-known trade unionist, while speaking to the media after the ceremony, reaffirmed his commitment made over the weekend to tackle the last-minute deals which were allegedly made under the last administration, with the hope that criminal charges would be brought against the guilty parties.

According to Franklyn, “The last government gave away a lot of tax concessions. I believe it is wrong. I know it is wrong. And it has to come to the Senate and it has to come to the House. If the House does not resolve to annul them, then the Senate can. We have 40 days after they are laid; they have not been laid yet because there [was] no House in session when they were made.

“I am waiting with bated breath to move a resolution to annul them. We are struggling for resources in this country and we can’t just flitter them away because we have good friends who want a concession.”

“The next thing I want to move against is those contracts I heard the Prime Minister talk about. It is unfair. You have people with contracts with a year and some going on them and then you renew them for five years. Even though the Boards and the Ministers have the power to do it, they did it improperly. It is called misfeasance in public office and it is a crime and I am going to lobby to see that something is done about that crime. You cannot be using the people’s resources to feather the nest of your friends,” he argued.

Franklyn says he believes there is enough existing evidence that the Royal Barbados Police Force can investigate.

“The Police will have to refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the DPP will have to make the decision, but if they are not charged it won’t be because I didn’t try,” he said. (JH)

GOVERNMENT and a team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be getting down to business to discuss the way forward for the Barbados economy.

According to a Government notice yesterday, an IMF team led by Bert van Selm has arrived in Barbados on a three-day visit.

The team will hold discussions with the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mia Amor Mottley, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Cleviston Haynes, other senior government officials, and representatives from the private sector and the labour movement.

It is expected that during this visit the IMF mission will update itself on the current economic and financial situation in Barbados, ahead of discussions with the authorities, over a potential programme in the coming weeks. Barbados last engaged the IMF in 1991 when the then Government entered into a Standby Arrangement with the Fund.

The Mia Mottley led administration said it was necessary to have the talks with the IMF as her Government sets about the task to enact policies to stabilise the economy which during the first quarter of 2018 registered a 0.7 per cent decline. The main areas that will most likely be given priority are the high fiscal deficit and ballooning debt, and the low economic growth.

In the meantime, the Government has also announced that it had appointed White Oak Advisory Limited to act as its financial advisor in the context of the debt restructuring process announced on 1 June, 2018.

The financial advisor is in the process of establishing initial contacts with affected creditors, and is expected to soon commence creditor engagement on the basis of the medium-term macroeconomic projections to be finalised by the Government in the coming weeks. As such, all queries relating to the announced debt restructuring should be directed to the financial advisor using the email address barbados@whiteoakadvisory.com.

The Government stated that it has held discussions with the rating agencies since last week’s announcement, and it is expecting that Barbados’ credit rating will shortly be adjusted down to Selective Default (SD), as is customary when comprehensive debt restructurings are announced.

Information for creditors will be posted periodically at http://gisbarbados.gov.bb/creditors/. (Central Bank of Barbados/BGIS)

Government is intent on achieving a balanced budget by 2019, and to do so without any new financing requirements.

That was but one of the objectives of the new Government, which was outlined in the Throne Speech yesterday.

Along with that, Governor General Dame Sandra Mason told those attending the State Opening of Parliament in the Senate Chamber, that the Mia Mottley-led Government intends during its five-year term to follow through with all of its campaign promises. Among those would be to provide a Cost of Living Allowance to civil servants should negotiations with the trade unions on salary increases not be concluded within the next three months; raise the non-contributory and contributory pensions; raise the minimum wage to $8 and extend it to all categories of workers across the economy; pay the reverse tax credit of $1 300 for those earning less than $18 000 yearly; and abolish the controversial National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL).

In the presentation that lasted close to one hour, Dame Sandra, noting that Government has commenced its mandate at a time of “unprecedented economic and social uncertainty for Barbados and its people”, characterised among other things by a stagnant economy, excessive taxation, unsustainably high levels of debt, decaying sewage systems, and inadequate foreign reserves to safeguard the value of the local dollar, said that Government has identified urgent national challenges as mission critical issues – 20 in total – which must be tackled with urgency and be resolved.

Not to address these issues, she said, would result in severe consequences. In that respect, Dame Sandra said over a period of six months, Government will focus on addressing all mission critical issues and clear guidelines will be set for deciding on and applying the identified solutions.

“Dedicated mission critical teams, comprising public servants and highly experienced professionals, recognised nationally, regionally and in some instances, internationally, will be established and tasked to ensure delivery. More important, proper management structures will be put in place to prevent these issues from reaching crisis proportions again,” she added.

Speaking specifically on the economy, the Governor General noted that from day one Government has been tackling the national debt and failing foreign reserves, and has started the process of restructuring the public debt and renegotiating existing obligation. At the same time, she said balance of payments support is being sought from the International Monetary Fund. With that in mind, Dame Sandra added that the Government intends to craft a comprehensive Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan, which it intends to consult extensively with the Social Partners on. The goal of that Plan, she explained, is to ensure that the burden of economic adjustment is shared fairly and does not fall disproportionately on workers. It is in that vein, she said, that the goal is to achieve a balanced budget by next year.

She added not only does Government remain committed to a fixed exchange rate and to preserving the value of the Barbados dollar, but the intention is to pursue policies to restore our foreign reserves cover to at least 15 weeks. Dame Sandra indicated that this is to be achieved through stimulating investor confidence and allowing Barbadians to retain foreign exchange they have earned in foreign current accounts in Barbados. Such Barbadians, she added, would be eligible for a foreign current tax credit on all foreign exchange earned.

Word of that came as she reiterated the manifesto pledges of the Government to return Value Added Tax to 15 percent within 18 months; abolish Road Tax and the NSRL and repeal the need for tax clearance certificates and the Municipal Solid Waste Tax (MSWT). In respect of the latter, Dame Sandra stated that a tax credit will be given over a period of time to those who paid the MSWT.

Additionally, referring to the “extraordinarily high” government arrears to citizens, corporation and institutions, which at September 30, 2017 totalled $1.7 billion; she said steps will be taken to bring those arrears down. According to Dame Sandra, a dedicated team will be assigned to work with affected individuals and companies on a plan to settle the arrears, and a structure will be created for regular on-time payments owed by Government to be made. She added that once that system is up and functioning well, where late payments are made, the Government will be required to pay interest and penalties. (JRT)

COME Monday Barbadians can expect part of the economic template which the Mia Mottley Administration intends to implement for the country.

Yesterday Leader of Government Business Santia Bradshaw announced that the Prime Minister who is also the Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment will deliver a Ministerial Statement on Monday, June 11, at 11 a.m.

Describing the statement as a “mini budget” Bradshaw said: “We anticipate that the appropriate resolution will accompany this statement and such that the Leader of the Opposition and other members of the Chamber will be given the opportunity to respond appropriately.”

Last Friday at the conclusion of the meeting of the Social Partnership at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre Mottley stated that Government was working to complete an economic reform programme for the country aimed at stabilising public finances and putting the country on a sustainable growth path.

“The restructuring will address the severe challenges presented by current debt service commitments. We warned the country about this. Along with the corrective economic and fiscal measures to be introduced in a Ministerial statement within two weeks it will place the public debt on a sustainable footing.
Creditors will thank us for that. Unsustainable debt is of no use to anyone,” she said. (JH)

The House of Assembly has passed a constitutional amendment to allow the swearing-in of two new government senators.

As its first order of business, the new Parliament yesterday sought to address provisions which were discriminatory to Barbadian citizens holding dual citizenship.

The issue arose when Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced Kay McConney, who has been named as Minister of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology, and Rawdon Adams, son of the late Prime Minister Tom Adams as two government senators in her parliamentary line-up.

While both are Barbadian by birth, McConney also holds Canadian citizenship, while Adams holds French and British citizenship.

Under the Constitution, Barbadians who have sworn allegiance to another country are immediately precluded by sections 38 and 44 of the Constitution from becoming a member of the Senate and becoming a member of the honourable House of Assembly:- a discriminatory provision according to Mottley.

“What makes it even more egregious for us is that they hold the citizenship of the country of their children’s birth and in each instance their children are still minors, so that in order for them to serve in the country of their birth, they would have to choose to give up the citizenship of the country of their children’s birth while their children remain as minors. That is an extraordinary request of anyone,” she lamented.

Assuring persons that her government intended to keep its promise of constitutional reform, she said this was necessary due to the fact that the country had significantly changed since the document had been penned 52 years ago.

“We have also as a country given clear voice to the fact that we want Barbadians wherever they are located whether they are in the 166 square miles or wherever they are in the world to take up their rights and responsibilities as Barbadian citizens to treat this country in the way that citizens ought to treat it by way of contribution of service, (and) investment,” Mottley added.

She pointed to a similar amendment made by Father of Independence Errol Walton Barrow, noting that such changes were therefore not uncommon.
The PM also announced that with the Upper House set to debate the amendment today, John Williams and Delisle Bradshaw will sit in senate in the interim to allow for the completion of the bill’s passage in both houses. (JMB)

Government will be tackling the challenges being experienced at the South Coast Sewage Plant, taking steps to prevent a similar scenario occurring at its Bridgetown counterpart and putting an end to the dreaded tipping fee for solid waste disposal.

In the Throne Speech delivered yesterday in the Upper Chamber of Parliament, Dame Sandra Mason, the Governor General of Barbados, disclosed those plans as she referred to the “catastrophic failure” of the South Coast Sewage Plant. That failure, she said, poses a significant threat to the health of locals and visitors alike, to the environment and nearshore ecosystems, and to the economy in general.

“My Government has declared the matter a National Emergency. My Government is taking urgent action to alleviate the problem while developing a plan for its definitive long-term resolution. We will utilise the best local and international expertise we can access. A dedicated team is already at work and has started to present its advice and recommendations to the Cabinet. Discussions are also under way to source funding and technical support for this emergency project,” she stated.

Dame Sandra added, “Attention is also being turned to the ageing Bridgetown plant. Diversion of waste from the South Coast has placed additional pressure on this plant. Urgent pre-emptive and longer-term action is now needed to avert a similar occurrence in our capital city.”

Referring to Government’s intention to re-profile the country’s national debt, the Governor General said that along with other sources of funding and savings, Government will use the fiscal space achieved through the debt re-profiling efforts, to finance the solutions to address some of the mission critical areas that have been identified. She indicated that these include providing an adequate number of buses to meet the public’s transportation needs and an adequate fleet of trucks to ensure a consistent and competent garbage collection service. Additionally, she said that Government will expand the Accident and Emergency Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and extend the opening hours at two of the island’s polyclinics.

Her comments came as she indicated that the Mia Mottley-led Government will also do away with the tipping fee for solid waste disposal, which she stated has contributed to a significant rise in illegal dumping. Moreover, she stated that Government will promote National Clean-Up and Beautification Programmes, aimed at returning order and cleanliness to the island’s landscape.

Government also intends to tackle the country’s poor road infrastructure. According to Dame Sandra, the new administration will immediately utilise existing and procure additional funding and equipment to carry out a costed road repair and rebuilding programme, starting with the most heavily trafficked roads. She made the disclosure while indicating that the country’s water woes will hopefully soon be a thing of the past, as there is a plan to deal with the persistent problem of access to and availability of running water, particularly in communities in the north and east of the island.

“We will ensure that the Barbados Water Authority assists householders in the purchase and installation of water tanks, to allow for greater resilience at the household level. My Government will transition to renewable energy and backup power at all pumping stations and reservoirs to provide continued service during natural disasters and other emergencies,” the Governor General indicated. (JRT)

WHEN Barbadian students enter the University of the West Indies (UWI) in the new academic year, they will once again do so free of cost.

Word of this came yesterday morning as Governor General, Dame Sandra Mason, delivered the Throne Speech during the State Opening of Parliament. The announcement from Dame Sandra, that Government will again pay the tuition fees for Barbadians to
attend the regional educational institution, appeared to draw cheers from some persons congregated on the outside, who were watching on the screens which were erected in the Parliament yard.

It was in the August 2013 Budget delivered by then Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Christopher Sinckler, that it was announced that Barbadian students would have been required to pay tuition fees from academic year 2014/2015, to assist Government in meeting the burgeoning costs of university education. That measure, which was expected to reduce the transfer to UWI by an estimated $42 million, was opposed by the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) from the outset, and they had pledged, if returned to power, to once more cover those costs for students.

In announcing the Government’s intention to pay the tuition fees for Barbadians, Dame Sandra said Government’s goal is to safeguard our future generations and empower them to have the best quality of life our country can give them. Her comments came as she also spoke to plans to create for young Barbadians, a National First Job Programme, catering to persons between the ages of 16 and 25. Through that programme, she indicated, they will have access to Government-subsidised placement at businesses in their specific field of interest. Additionally, the Governor General told the packed Senate Chamber and those within earshot, that Government also intends to develop a National Apprenticeship Programme and to introduce a National Mentorship Programme, through which young people can get guidance from adults and professionals.

The Governor General also spoke to plans to tackle violence in schools. She indicated that an emergency session of professionals dealing with the welfare of children will be convened to approve an “immediate plan of action” to put an end to the current epidemic of violence and bullying in schools. This, she said, would include increasing the number of Guidance Counsellors and Social Workers, and introducing anger management and conflict resolution classes in schools by September 2018. She added that the support of civil society and faith-based organisations will be sought in respect of those school initiatives.

“The Government will also ensure a reliable and timely school bus service and, from September 2018, it will deploy Safety Officers, where necessary, on buses and at places where students and young people congregate in large numbers,” the Governor General added.

The Governor General additionally revealed plans to create a Barbados Sovereign Wealth Fund (BSWF) aimed at making national wealth available for present and future generations of Barbadians. She said the BSWF will hold Government assets including real property; and non-tangible assets including trademarks, patents and intellectual property.

“The Fund will ensure appropriate, professional long-term management, development and returns from these assets. A percentage of the revenues of petroleum products will flow to the Fund, to ensure oil and gas earnings are not squandered, but become a source of funding for Barbados’ long-term development. After its establishment, every Barbadian, upon turning 18, will become entitled to a stake in the Fund. Over time, this stake will produce an income or could be used as collateral for loans for housing, education and other specified purposes,” she added. (JRT)

Yesterday, the opening of Parliament was ushered in with the usual pomp and pageantry.

The air was alive with anticipation as Barbados Labour Party (BLP) supporters came out in their numbers, clad in their red, taking up every vantage point from as early as 7:30 a.m. to get a glimpse of their representatives, in particular this country’s eighth Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley Q.C.

The new Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators, accompanied by family and friends, as well as dignitaries and specially invited guests started to make their grand entrance just before 9 a.m. all decked out in their finest.

Among the early arrivals were Minister of the Creative Economy, Culture and Sports, John King; and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Dale Marshall, both receiving a rousing welcome.

There were also cheers for Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott; MP for Christ Church South, Ralph Thorne; Minister of Home Affairs, Edmund Hinkson; and Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Cynthia Forde. Leader of the Opposition, Bishop Joseph Atherley, with his wife at his side, also received a warm reception.

It was an especially big day for those entering Parliament for the first time – MPs Ryan Straughn, Marsha Caddle, Colin Jordan, Charles Griffith, Adrian Forde, Kirk Humphrey, Indar Weir, Ralph Thorne, John King and Neil Rowe.

The Mottley family – led by father Elliott, mother Amor, sister Elana, brother Stewart and several others – arrived just before the Prime Minister, who entered the courtyard of Parliament at 9:45 a.m. in MP 2. Her presence resulted in much celebration among the Party faithful, who lined the north gate near Palmetto Square.

Shortly after, the Guard of Honour formed by the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) Band taking up position in National Heroes’ Square, sounded a fanfare for the arrival of Governor General, Dame Sandra Mason, promptly at 10 a.m.

Her Excellency received a royal salute and inspected the guard before entering Parliament, where she was received by President of the Senate, Sir Richard Cheltenham. Afterwards, she proceeded to the Senate Chamber to deliver the Throne Speech, which outlined the Government’s policies and programmes for the next five years.

The large crowd gathered outside, braved the heat for over an hour to watch the live coverage of the official opening, carried on two large screens positioned at the gates of Parliament.

IN LIGHT of horrifying stories of young children being infected with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) after being molested, local child care providers are being urged to use age-appropriate and culturally relevant tools to teach young children about child abuse and other child protection issues.

Delivering opening remarks at the Child Care Board’s Tools for Early Learners Workshop, Dr. Aloys Kamuragiye, the Representative UNICEF Officer for the Eastern Caribbean Area, said interviews with some adult survivors conducted in the past suggested that abuse for some of them, or their siblings, started during the pre-school years.

“Additionally, we received reports from countries and we hear on the news media the shocking stories of young children with STIs; the horrifying stories of young children having been digitally penetrated. I say to you again that children are never too young to learn,” she said.

Dr Kamuragiye said as it relates to age-appropriate and culturally relevant tools being taught to children, it may not help them to defend themselves from a more powerful perpetrator, but it will help to raise their antennas; it will help them to realise something does not look right; this touch does not feel right; this secret makes me uncomfortable; this look makes me feel uncomfortable.

“It may also help to build their courage to tell someone and to continue to tell if needs be until some adult like you or I believe them and have the courage to report. I say to you again, children are never too young to learn,” the UNICEF official said.

On that note, Dr Kamuragiye congratulated the Child Care Board for organising the workshop and for following through with its commitment related to the 2012 Bridgetown Accord where, among other things, countries pledged to ensure that all persons who meet children are empowered to teach them about what they can do to protect themselves and about reporting.

“You see often we focus on sensitizing children in the primary and secondary sector and we forget early childhood sector. Let me remind you that the work does not stop after the workshop has ended. Indeed, it has only begun.

“We trust that as you get a new set of children entering your day care center each year that you make it your business to ensure that every child who come under your care does not transition to the primary level without knowing what is appropriate and inappropriate touches, about sexual grooming, bullying and the importance of reporting,” he said. (AH)

THE maritime space over which Barbados now has jurisdiction is four hundred times greater than that of the island’s land space.

This is the reality which was outlined by Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason as she highlighted some of the Government’s plans and policies during the Throne Speech on Tuesday in the Upper Chamber.
It was explained that there are currently exciting untapped possibilities for the sustainable exploitation of the marine environment.

“For this reason my Government has established a new Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy. The Ministry will be charged with responsibility for preserving Barbados’ coastlines, our marine
environment, the health of our reefs and the habitats of our marine plants and animals. It will ensure sustainable use and development of our fisheries, our marine assets, resources, minerals and species for sustainable recreation and decent livelihoods for those who make a living from the sea.”

With future generations in mind, plans were outlined to extensively restore coral reefs and build new ones to increase the habitats of marine species, protect the coastline and provide for increased and improved snorkelling, dive sites and fishing.

“It will create new marine conservation areas to the west and north of the island, declare Carlisle Bay a Marine Protected Area and rationalise the legislation governing marine protected areas.

“My Government will capitalise on our large coastline and our geographical location by training nationals in a range of maritime, technical and specialist skills in seafaring, yachting, boating, fishing, sail making, navigating, and the full suite of nautical and marine services. It will transform Barbados’ Ships’ Registry to provide a greater contribution to our international business sector.”

As it relates to fishing, the BLP government also intends to take the local fishing industry to the next level of development by establishing more berths for fishing vessels at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex, broadening the ownership of fishing vessels through rent to own mechanisms, and upgrading our fish markets to world-class facilities that meet international phytosanitary standards.

Dame Sandra said the BLP government over the next decade will also provide the necessary regulatory and fiscal environment to promote the creation of a small number of new islands and peninsulas off the west and south coasts of Barbados, through the reclamation of land.

“This will result in new tourism, economic, and cultural hubs and hundreds of jobs. An Environmental Scoping Study will first be done to determine its feasibility. An appropriate Social Impact Study will also be required. Policy and legislation will be put in place to ensure that Barbadians maintain the freehold of this new land space while providing 99 year commercial leases to those investing.”

It is expected that new high-quality jobs will be created and new activity and investment encouraged by establishing six Special Economic Zones.

“It will move immediately to make Heritage Bridgetown a Smart and Creative City and put in place all that is required to facilitate its conversion. This will be a precursor to Barbados becoming a ‘Smart Country’. It will also designate and promote Speightstown as a Heritage, Artistic and Culinary Centre, Holetown as a Tourism and Entertainment Centre, St Lawrence Gap as an Entertainment District, Oistins as the epicentre of Barbados’ fishing industry and Six Roads as the premier Industrial Corridor.”

Government is pushing the idea of developing a culture of entrepreneurship in this country, so that there is an entrepreneur is every home.

Noting a goal of the Mia Mottley led administration is to tackle unemployment and underemployment in Barbados, Governor General Dame Sandra Mason said entrepreneurship is one way Government intends to achieve that.

“My Government will confront unemployment and underemployment and build a more prosperous society characterised by high skills and entrepreneurship, in which all of our people are given the tools to build wealth,
well-being and security. Existing sectors will be modernised and new economic sectors created. Our growth must be led by our people and our concept of who constitutes the private sector must change – from vendors to public owned enterprises,” she stated while delivering the Throne Speech on Tuesday morning during the official opening of the 2018-2023 term of the Parliament.

Dame Sandra told the over 200 persons gathered in the Senate Chamber and those watching outside, that Government has identified several new paths through which Barbadians can create and share capital, in order to take full advantage of income earning potential, stimulate economic activity, and boost the penetration of the Barbados Brand regionally and internationally. With that in mind, she referred to the proposed Trust Loans to be made available to small businesses.

“My Government will take a chance on ordinary Barbadians, especially those left behind by the policies of traditional financial institutions, by providing $10 million per year for each of the next five years to seed a Trust Loans Fund to give to small businesses or business owners, security-free loans of up to $5 000 each. When this loan sum is paid in full and the borrower has built a good credit profile, the business/owner will become entitled to a loan of up to $10 000,” she stated.

That, she noted, is but one of four initiatives earmarked to assist in putting entrepreneurship on the front burner. The Governor General added that the Prime Minister's Innovation Award, worth $250 000, will be presented quarterly and aims to “spark new ideas, innovations and new business”. Through those prizes, she said Barbadian innovators, particularly those without access to funding, will have the ability to create new wealth and employment opportunities as well as earn valuable foreign exchange. Additionally, she stated that there will be a Youth Innovation Award worth $150 000 in prize money, which will be open to all young people. Dame Sandra said in the event the prize is won by school students, the prize will be divided between the winning school, teacher and students.

Noting that all Barbadians have a part to play in getting the country back on track, Dame Sandra indicated that Government would be encouraging all Barbadians to promote new investments in the island. She explained that those who participate would qualify for a pre-set introduction and success fee if the investment takes off. Moreover, in the interest of transparency and anti-corruption, she explained that a promotions and promoters register will be created.

“The Government’s aim is to widen the scope for all Barbadians and to act against corrupt practices in the promotion of investments by people who may have special access to Government Ministers, Board Chairmen and senior public servants,” she added.

Dame Sandra had earlier spoken to the fact that corruption is a stain on any society, as well as a considerable drain on government revenues and the economy in general. In that vein, she maintained that Government is firm in its position not to let corruption become endemic in this country and so will put legislative arrangements in place to address it.

“As part of its zero tolerance policy, it will move swiftly to fight and punish corruption in whatever quarter it has manifested itself or continues to do so. In furtherance of that objective, my Government will immediately introduce into this Parliament comprehensive Integrity Legislation which will hold Ministers and Board Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons accountable for their actions; require politicians and key public officials to disclose their assets and liabilities; and provide stiff penalties for those who attempt to bribe politicians and public officials,” she said. (JRT)

As the country prepares to embark on another Crop Over Season, it appears that some changes are in store for the annual festival, though it has not been revealed when they will be made.

Last Friday the decision was taken to postpone the launch of the 2018 Crop Over Season dubbed ‘Crop Over Xplosion’, which was scheduled to take place the following day. The statement released by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) indicated that the event was postponed, as the new Minister of Creative Economy, Culture and Sports John King, having only been sworn in less than a week before, was unable to meet and discuss with the NCF the plans and preparations for the festival prior to the scheduled launch. As such, the release stated it necessitated the official launch being put back to a later date.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday during the Throne Speech, Governor General Dame Sandra Mason revealed Government’s plan to create a new model for culture and the creative industries in this country. To start that process, she indicated that there will be a transformation of the NCF, the Crop Over Festival and the National Independence Festival for Creative Arts (NIFCA), but no details were given on what that would entail.

Speaking more to the work to be undertaken with respect to the creative economy, Dame Sandra announced that Government will also look to make changes to the recently established Barbados Cultural Industries Development Authority. She explained that the idea would be to further develop the Authority and put it at the forefront of nurturing, showcasing, marketing and exporting products made by local creative professionals, to the wider world. Additionally, that entity will facilitate the production and promotion of a 52-week calendar for the arts, entertainment and sports including at least one world-class festival every two months.

Her comments came as she indicated that plans are on stream for Government to re-establish a National School for Dance, with an adjunct National Dance Company, as well as a National School for the Performing Arts, with a National Performing Arts Company. Furthermore, she disclosed that the National Film Commission will be equipped to play a prime role in putting Barbados on track to be a “welcoming jurisdiction” for not only film and video productions and strategic co-productions, but supporting the further development of a local film industry.

“…It will bring true life to a National Art Gallery that acquires, houses, protects and displays important works by Barbadians and provides workspace for collaborative activities,” she said.

In its effort to be more sustainable, Verdun House has been generating its own electricity and selling the excess to the Barbados Light and Power Company Limited.

The all-male, residential treatment facility located in St. John has been doing so for the past three months. The move is part of the ‘Solar Rooftop Project’, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Through the Project, the rooftops of all the buildings are outfitted with solar panels. These panels are also on the compound’s animal and vegetable farms.

On Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer of The Substance Abuse Foundation (SAF) Inc., Marietta Carrington, signed an agreement launching the initiative. She explained that 502 panels are on the buildings. These will generate a yearly “income stream of approximately a hundred thousand [dollars] to support” the SAF in its educational and rehabilitation efforts.

Meanwhile, SAF Chairman Peter Boos said the Project would help the health institution to move away from mainly “relying on philanthropy and charity to relying on a commercial income.

“So the reliance on private funding like that has risks and things change. So the opportunity to [have] sustainability and long-term sustainability, if you like, is what keeps Marietta up at nights and certainly keeps me up at night – how do we transform from relying on very generous private philanthropists to having a revenue source that is sustainable and reliable over many years? So that at the end of the day we do this to help the people who need this help, the people in recovery, that is what we do, that is why we do it. There is no other reason why we do it, that is the only reason we do it, is to help the people who need the help.”

National Coordinator of the GEF SGP at the UNDP, David Bynoe lauded SAF for “transitioning this Project from just being an idea to something that is tangible or reality”. He further stated the Project was one that could be replicated locally and regionally.

He also outlined some of the core benefits of it. These included providing SAF with an opportunity for income generation.

It also provided a chance for individuals, “five female clients and 15 male clients”, to be trained within the Project and the renewable energy generated is being used to help rehabilitate clients.

THREE Barbadians are challenging two sections of Barbados’ Discriminatory Sexual Offences Act (SOA).

Yesterday, a transsexual woman, a lesbian and a gay man filed a petition against Barbados before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), challenging laws criminalising “buggery” and other intimacy between consenting partners, including same-sex partners, as violating numerous rights guaranteed in the American Convention on Human Rights.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organisation of American States (OAS), whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere.

The challenge is focused on two sections of Barbados’ SOA: Section 9 and Section 12. Section 9 criminalises “buggery”, which the courts have confirmed means anal sex between men, but also a man and a woman. The maximum penalty is life in prison; it is the harshest buggery law in the hemisphere. Section 12 criminalises “serious indecency”, which is sweepingly defined in the SOA as an act by anyone “involving the use of the genital organs for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire”.

The maximum penalty is ten years in prison if the act is committed on or towards a person aged 16 or older; the penalty is higher in the case of a person under the age of 16. Even when seemingly neutral, there is a long history of indecency laws being used to target same-sex intimacy and LGBTQ people.

“With these laws, we have been stripped of the freedom to enjoy one of the most important aspects of any romantic relationship – intimacy,” said Alexa Hoffmann, one of the petitioners in the case and a trans Barbadian woman.

Speaking during a press conference held at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Law Faculty, yesterday, Hoffmann argued that many LGBTQ Barbadians face stigma, discrimination and abuse every day – which are deemed permissible and certainly exacerbated by the existence of the laws.

“I have seen many of my friends simply pack their bags and leave Barbados, even though our Constitution was designed to protect everyone as equals. These laws must be relegated to the dustbins of history,” Hoffmann added.

Meanwhile, Maurice Tomlinson, Senior Policy Analyst at the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, who also attended the press conference, said that at their core, the laws violated human rights of all Barbadians, but they are overwhelmingly used to discriminate against LGBTQ people.

“Evidence also shows that these provisions, and the stigma and discrimination to which they contribute, undermine the access of transgender people, gay men and other men who have sex with men to critical HIV services including for testing, treatment, care and support.

“This undermines an effective response to HIV. We hope that the IACHR will recommend that the Government of Barbados repeal sections 9 and 12 of the SOA in their entirety, so as to decriminalise private consensual sexual activity between those above the legal age of consent,” the Senior Policy Analyst at the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network said.

The ultimate goal of the petition is to end the criminalisation of consensual sexual activity between persons above the age of consent, in particular the criminalisation of consensual sex between same-sex partners, and stop the state-sponsored homophobia they represent.

There is no timeline for a decision; however, petitions should be given priority by the IACHR as they concern fundamental rights and freedoms.

The Legal Network, along with Trans Advocacy and Agitation Barbados (TAAB) and the University of Toronto’s International Human Rights Programme, is supporting the petition and providing technical assistance to the three petitioners. (AH)

Members of the National Council of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) met yesterday morning to come to a consensus in relation to pay talks, which have been ongoing with the new Mia Mottley led administration.

After talks about a salary increase for public servants or even a coping subsidy broke down with the former Democratic Labour Party administration, there was a promise that a new Barbados Labour Party government would seek to negotiate a new public sector salaries and wages hike.

Yesterday’s NUPW council meeting was held so that members could settle on a new proposal for a salary increase for civil servants and President Akanni McDowall, whilst not giving out too much information on what the Union is now proposing, stressed that the majority of council members agreed with the proposal.

“We came up with a decision where we would look favourably on the proposal sent to us by the Government. So it is now up to the Government to agree with what the Union is proposing, but once the Government agrees, public servants should be a little happier. We don’t want to share those details about the proposal until Government agrees to exactly what we are discussing, because technically speaking we are still negotiating. So once Government accepts what the Union has suggested, which is in line with what they are suggesting, then everything should be OK,” McDowall commented.

Last week, following the second meeting of the Social Partnership chaired by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, McDowall revealed that issues surrounding the public service were frankly discussed and the benefits that public servants should receive was also a matter for discussion. He was optimistic then that the Union would be able to strike a deal with government on the pay hike. He has meanwhile noted that the Union will make a public statement on the matter when the time comes.

The United Progressive Party (UPP) is insisting that the amendments to the Constitution passed in the Lower House on Tuesday are in breach of three fundamental principles.

“The first is that amendments to legislation, especially the Constitution should have as its overriding objective the benefit of the people of the country as a whole, and not individual interests,” said UPP leader Lynette Eastmond.

In a statement to the media, she also charged that a rush to draft and pass legislation so critical to Barbados’ legislative and electoral process without ruminating on its effect will increase the chances of creating uncertainty within the law where there was none previously.

In addition, she noted that bills which are to be passed in the House of Assembly and especially those which seek to amend the Constitution, should receive wide circulation within the public domain in order to permit thorough debate.

During its first sitting, the Mia Mottley-led administration passed amendments to the Barbados Constitution granting eligibility to Barbadians with dual citizenship to become Senators, as well as allowing such persons to contest a seat in elections. The amendments also removed the requirement that those appointed to the Senate had to be ordinarily resident in Barbados 12 months immediately prior to being sworn in as Senators and required the Governor General to consult with political parties not supporting the Government when appointing Opposition Senators.

“The mere fact that the amendments were not circulated for debate speaks to just how individual the interests were. This should cause deep concern to all Barbadians,” she insisted.

She further said that this “trivialising of the legislative process”, left “a discernible blot upon the legislative landscape of a nation”.

The region and Barbados in particular, is facing a difficult period in terms of economic reforms and this is evidenced by the fact that this island is third from the bottom globally in this area.

This is the word from the Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Sandra Husbands who delivered the feature address at the Excellence in Management Consulting Conference Celebrating International Consultant’s Day hosted by the Barbados Chapter of Caribbean Institute of Certified Management Consultants (CICMC) yesterday at the Savannah Hotel.

She stated that this can be felt in our companies and even in our homes. “Our region is facing one of the most difficult periods in terms of foreign economic reforms and none more so than Barbados who at the moment is third from the bottom across the world for where it is in terms of its economic reforms and we feel it very keenly in our enterprises and we feel it very keenly in our households.”

This means that Barbadians now have to work earnestly towards getting this island back on the path of economic prosperity so that we can once again ensure that our citizens are able to enjoy the high quality of life that they were once accustomed to.

“So Barbados now has a task as to how it is going to raise economic development and to produce the type of growth that would cause our country to be able to go back to where it was, where we were punching above our weight. But it was not just that we were punching above our weight, we were guaranteeing our citizens a quality of life that was envied across the world. That is now at risk,” it was explained.

“This morning we were greeted with the news that we have experienced another downgrade and that this downgrade now puts us at D. This was not unexpected because all of the performance indicators were still heading in the wrong direction. What is pertinent about this moment is that we have a new Government that has a deep commitment to changing those indicators to taking Barbados and taking it back to where it needs to be, to grow literally a new Barbados as indeed in order to us to go forward a lot of systems have to be changed, a lot of new things have to be introduced and you can see from the size of our cabinet, you can see from the throne speech that there are many initiatives that we are prepared to undertake to bring the necessary changes to what is happening in Barbados,” she added.

FISCAL consolidation has to be high on the agenda of the new Mia Mottley led Administration.

This blunt assessment has come from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) upon the conclusion of its visit to the island over the past few days.

The IMF team led by Bert van Selm had discussions on economic policies and possible IMF financial support of the government’s economic plan.

Van Selm stated that while the fiscal deficit had decreased in recent years, Barbados faced multiple threats, including low net international reserves combined with low economic growth in the first quarter of this year, which made for a dangerous combination of challenges. “Barbados is in a precarious economic situation. International reserves have dwindled to US$220 million, while central government debt is unsustainable. The fiscal deficit has decreased over the last few years but remains large, at about four per cent of GDP in FY2017/18. Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) is reporting a contraction of output of 0.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2018 (over the same period last year). The Barbadian authorities, in close consultation with their social partners, are rapidly developing a plan to address current economic vulnerabilities. We welcome the government’s plans to urgently address infrastructure problems, and its goal of seeking to support the most vulnerable during the economic adjustment process.

Van Selm stressed the need for the Administration to focus on ‘substantial fiscal consolidation’, and positioning the debt downwards. He also maintained that a strong course of action is needed, inclusive of expenditure cuts, public service efficiencies, control of wages and pension reforms. In line with efforts from the now former Democratic Labour Party (DLP) efforts contained in the Budget of 2017, the IMF team leader, also pointed to the need to widen the tax base, pursuing mergers or privatisation, greater oversight of tax administration was also recommended. Those efforts included the proposed sale of the Hilton and the Barbados National Oil Terminal Limited, inclusive of revenue raising measures, such as increasing the National Social Responsibility Levy from two to ten per cent.

“At this juncture, the IMF’s recommendations contained in the 2017 Article IV Consultation remain highly relevant to rebuild confidence and address Barbados’ current challenges. Substantial fiscal consolidation is needed to place debt on a clear downward trajectory in conjunction with the proposed debt restructuring, and to address balance of payments risks that cloud the country’s future. Since tax and revenues are relatively high, the adjustment effort should focus on the expenditure side, including by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public services, containing wages, and reforming government pensions. Government transfers to SOEs need to be reduced by reviewing user fees, exploring options for mergers and privatisation, and by providing much stronger oversight. Tax policy should be reviewed with a view to broadening the tax base and improving its progressivity, while efforts to strengthen tax administration should continue. Structural reforms are critical to improve the business climate in Barbados to attract investment, and develop the private sector,” it was further explained.

Calls were also made to continue efforts to protect the island’s exchange peg, through limiting the Central Bank from printing money. It was also stressed that an orderly debt restructuring was critical. “Fiscal consolidation will also help to reduce financing needs, in conjunction with the proposed debt restructuring. It will be important for the CBB to limit financing of the government budget given that such practice is not consistent with Barbados’ exchange rate peg; the large monetary financing over the last few years has contributed to the decline in international reserves. We also note the authorities’ decision to seek a restructuring of domestic debt and external debt to commercial creditors. An early and open dialogue with the country’s creditors, aiming to achieve an orderly debt restructuring process, is important.”

Van Selm maintained that the IMF stood ready to assist. “Overall, the team had very positive and candid discussions with the government during the visit. In the coming months, we expect to continue our close dialogue with the Barbados government with the aim of reaching understandings on economic policies that could underpin an IMF supported programme. Our goal is to help Barbados achieve higher living standards and more inclusive growth for the years ahead. During the visit, the team met with Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment, CBB Governor Haynes, and other key officials. The team also had good opportunities for exchange of views with social partners, including labour unions and the private sector. The team would like to thank the Barbados government for open and candid discussions, and to express its desire to continue to work closely with Barbados in the period ahead.”
The IMF visit came even as the island was downgraded by Standard and Poor’s on Wednesday evening to Selective Default (SD) from junk bond status. Government had announced on Tuesday, that it had appointed White Oak Advisory Ltd. to act as its financial advisor in the context of the debt restructuring process announced on June 1, 2018.

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment, Mia Mottley is expected to deliver a Budget aimed at addressing the economic imbalances and challenges on Monday June 11, in the House of Assembly.