OPPOSITION Leader, Mia Mottley, believes that a commercial court is needed in Barbados.
She made this point during the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s monthly luncheon held on Wednesday afternoon at the Hilton Barbados Resort.
According to Mottley, “Barbados must have a commercial court so that people can resolve commercial disputes in short order and in good time. The absence of that is a major problem not just international business, but domestic business and we are committed to that as one of the first orders of business.”
Her comments came as she delivered the featured address at the monthly meeting under the theme, “Rebuilding Investor Confidence in Brand Barbados”, where she revealed that Shadow Minister, Kerrie Symmonds, has been asked to look at the issue of Debt Tribunals on the island. “We believe that Debt Tribunals would be able to deal with small claims that are affecting the ability of some of our domestic businesses to be able to move forward.
“We recognise that key institutions in this country have to be built back up to play a key role in our development. Whether it is the Police Force, Central Bank or the law courts, all have regrettably fallen below par in terms of their performance in recent times.”
Mottley also took issue with the Social Partnership and the industrial relations climate, which she said has to be restored in Barbados.
“It is now spiralling out of control and threatening to further undermine confidence in this country. We must not stand back and allow a climate of intimidation of our labour leaders or members of the private sector, simply because you choose to voice a disagreement with a government policy. It is wrong!
“On this current dispute with the NUPW and the Government, the Government has a fundamental duty to get involved and stop what is going on and to urgently resolve it rather than letting these issues fester. This is a matter that is ... capable of being resolved. And ironically, the Prime Minister is the Minister of Civil Service,” she stated. (JH)
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