Impressive operation

Colin Jordan, Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, maintains that there are still thriving businesses that take standards very seriously and continue to carve out a niche in Barbados.

Jordan, while touring the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) Food Innovation Unit facility at the Grantley Adams Industrial Estate, Seawell, Christ Church yesterday, stated that he is impressed with the local products and the environment of the small organisation.

He indicated that even though they will need a bigger location, the level of health and safety standards is commendable. He stated: “I am firmly of the view that productivity is not the purviews of a department, productivity has to be the focus of very aspect of Government. The issue is the satisfaction of the workers and ensuring that their surroundings allow them to be productive. Improving productivity is not just a country issue, it makes a person more satisfied.”

“The reality is to get in the minds of people. You need to get in people’s faces, the challenges that companies like this would have. They have limited resources to do advertising. In some cases, the local items are not packaged as appealing as imported items, but the Carmetas line of products is well presented. It is important that we give local products the chance. There are a fantastic range of products that locals can benefit from a health perspective, benefits in terms of employment and to cut down on imports.”

Speaking on the impact of the tour, Jordan indicated that, “It is important to come out and see workers’ conditions and that we are in a position to craft good policy. We are going to four different locations and we are going to various industries. It is good to see in a relatively small space the workers are operating in a safe and productive manner. The staff is small, but show their efficiency …” (NB)