The St John’s Primary School is to remain closed as the Ministry of Education searches for an alternative location on Wednesday — five months after confirmation that mould had reared its head at the rural school and after days of protest by students, teachers and parents.

Efforts are being made to secure a satellite facility so face-to-face instruction can resume on Monday, the ministry said, while teachers are to deliver lessons online.

Just after 8 a.m. on Tuesday, a number of parents and students demonstrated in front of the Glebe Land school with placards in hand chanting: “We are getting sick, we need the school fixed.”

Some of the cards read: “We Need a New School”, “Our Health Matters”, “No Lot of Long Talk, We Need Action Now!” and “Take Us Seriously”.

This protest followed several months of complaints by parents and teachers about the environmental issues plaguing the century-old, colonial-style school for more than a decade, which have been making educators and students fall ill repeatedly.

In a report dated June 23, environmental hygienist Ian Weekes confirmed that mould was a major problem at the school.

Last Friday, teachers refused to enter the classrooms and parents were instructed to collect their wards. On Monday, as teachers insisted that they were not returning to the classrooms, they were joined by parents who decided not to take their children to school.

After Tuesday’s protest, Nicole Gill-Wilson, who heads the school’s parent-teacher association, said parents were frustrated and disheartened that their children were being affected and suggested that the ministry was not taking the matter seriously. She added that parents wanted to join the teachers in solidarity and make a stand for the wellbeing of the students.

“We are here today because there have been ongoing actions at this school from last Friday,” said Gill-Wilson. “The teachers have not been entering the school due to the environmental concerns and the parents have been keeping the children at home. However, today we have decided to bring the children out in uniform, not to go to school, but just to take a stand because we are doing this action for them. And right now, we are feeling disheartened and we are frustrated that we have been made to take a stance and choose between the health and the education of our children.”

Promises were being made to address the matter even before the current administration first came into office, she added.

The PTA leader said: “I know that this school was previously earmarked to be closed down and demolished and a new school was supposed to be built south of the Thompson Health and Social Services Complex. This was with the previous administration and then we no longer heard anything about it once the administration was changed. So this is not a new issue; this issue was identified years ago.

“Our hope is that a new location would be established so the children can go on and get their education. Right now, this is exam period and our children are unable to set exams because they do not have a facility to do that. So we have teachers here who want to teach and we have children who want to learn, but we do not have the resources which we need- a safe facility to conduct the classes.”

President of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) Rudy Lovell was also visiting the school while the demonstration was occurring. He said the environmental problem was not only affecting the health of the staff but the students as well, adding that he was pleased to see the PTA step up.

“The union is happy that the PTA of St John’s Primary School has taken the initiative to voice their concerns with regards to the environmental issues at the school. It shows that both parents and teachers have a similar interest in ensuring the health and safety of the students and ensuring that the delivery of education is done in a safe and healthy working environment. My intention is to support the teachers throughout the entire process and we will be here for as long as it is,” he said.

The union leader said the staff and students deserved a new school, as he urged the education ministry to “take the initiative to rectify the issue or to relocate the school”.

He said the complaints about St John’s have been going on for far too long and “nothing seems to be happening”.

“There have been remediations on several occasions but the result is basically that the environmental issues continue to plague the school,” Lovell said.

In a recorded statement on Tuesday evening, Deputy Chief Education Officer Joy Adamson said the ministry regretted the environmental issues the staff and students at the school had to endure.

“The ministry’s first priority is to finalise conversations with a potential new location for the rest of the term,” she said. “We are therefore actively pursuing an alternative location for Monday, December 4, 2023. While the ministry has made every effort to counter reported environmental concerns, since earlier this year, the school continues to be plagued with several structural issues.”

Adamson added that in October and earlier this month, an environmental hygienist, environmentalist and the education technical management unit visited the school.

She said that corrective work is done as issues are identified, adding that remedial work took place last weekend.

An air quality test and a test for mould were conducted on Monday, she said, and the ministry was awaiting the results.

Adamson assured the public that the issues affecting the school have been a frequent point of discussion among officials at the ministry and when the test results are provided a final decision on the way forward would be made.

The chairman of the BUT’s Health and Safety Committee, Julian Pierre, also expressed concerns about environmental issues at two other schools, the Ann Hill School in The Pine and The Lester Vaughan School in St Thomas. He said the union was also carrying out investigations at Luther Thorne Primary School in Wildey, St Michael following a recent sickout by teachers complaining of environmental issues

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

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In a collaborative effort to celebrate Independence Day, the Consular Corps of Barbados partnered with the Walkers Institute for Regenerative Research Education and Design (WIRRED) to plant just over two dozen trees at the National Botanical Gardens on Monday.

During a brief ceremony, Honorary Consul for the Bahamas and Dean of the Consular Corps of Barbados Selwyn Smith highlighted the corps’ commitment to the Barbados National Tree Planting Project which aims to plant one million trees to contribute to the global fight against climate change.

The 25-member Consular Corps of Barbados created the initiative to plant a total of 25 trees, symbolising each country represented within the Corps.

“While 25 trees may not seem like a massive contribution to the million, we feel that it is symbolic and it is important that we participate in such an effort,” said Smith.

The planting ceremony featured a diverse selection of trees, including a Baobab tree and other fruit and statement trees such as avocado, Mediterranean fig, soursop, and a golden apple tree. The trees, provided by Walkers Nursery which is managed by WIRRED, are part of the charity’s flagship initiative, the One Tree for Every Bajan programme.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY on the sidelines of the ceremony, Programme Manager at WIRRED Elize Rozant said the charity hopes to plant 285 000 trees and plants as part of their reforestation project.

“As a means to address climate change and its negative effects, we have planted trees across Barbados. Through this initiative, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of trees and reforestation as we strive to plant one tree for every Bajan,” Rozant explained.

WIRRED has successfully planted over 135 000 trees and plants across the island since the inception of the programme in 2019. Additionally, all trees planted through this initiative will contribute to Barbados’ national goal of planting one million trees. 

(BB)

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A free shuttle service is being provided for members of the public who will require transportation to the Usain Bolt Sports Complex for the 2023 Independence Day Parade.

The free shuttle, which is exclusively for persons who do not have a park-and-ride ticket and require assistance with transportation, will operate from the Golden Square Freedom Park in Bridgetown and run from 6:15 a.m. until 7:30 a.m.

The shuttle will provide transportation back to the Golden Square Freedom Park following the completion of the 2023 Independence Day Parade and the departure of the President, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.

Members of the public who have a park-and-ride ticket are advised that their ticket will clearly indicate one of five locations to park and access transportation services. 

(PMO)

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A champion of the disabled, a leader of industry and a career banker are the recipients of this country’s highest national awards in this year’s Independence Day Honours.  

An honorary title is also to be bestowed on two foreign leaders, the heads of state of Guyana and Rwanda.

The Order of Freedom of Barbados is to be conferred on Kerryann Ifill, who has been blind since age four. The first woman to serve as President of the Senate from 2012 to 2018 – also the first person with a disability and the youngest ever to hold the post – is being honoured for “distinguished service” in the Upper Chamber and “outstanding contribution to the enfranchisement of people living with disabilities through education, employment and exposure”.  

The current President of the Senate, Reginald Farley, has also been honoured with the Order of Freedom of Barbados for his distinguished career as a policymaker, diplomat, leader of industry and accountant. The former minister in the Owen Arthur administration is also being recognised for “his sterling contribution to national and business development as well as the cohesion of the Social Partnership” and for exceptional Senate leadership.  

The third recipient of the country’s apex national honour is banking and insurance executive Dodridge Miller, honouring his “exceptional career in local and regional banking, Caribbean money management and entrepreneurship and his sterling contribution as a transformational and international financial leader”. 

In March, Miller retired after helming Sagicor Life Insurance Company and Sagicor Financial Company Ltd, which capped a 33-year career with the financial services giant.

Two foreign leaders have also been given the island’s highest national award in an honorary capacity. 

President of Guyana Dr Irfaan Ali is being recognised for a “strong commitment to enhanced cooperation and collaboration to achieve regional integration and to foster deeper social and economic partnerships particularly in relation to food and nutrition security and for the upliftment of the people of Barbados and the region”. 

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has also been acknowledged with an honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados in recognition of his “influential and constructive role, unswerving commitment and proactivity” in the mission to foster collaboration, and positive international relations and promote economic diplomacy through the Pan African Network between Africa and the Caribbean.

Among the 35 national awardees are Barbadian global athletic champion Sada Williams, fish vendor and philanthropist Sharon Bellamy-Thompson, bodybuilding administrator and youth advocate Ivor Worrell, and broadcaster and media specialist Dr Allyson Leacock.  

Dr Leacock, a former general manager of the state-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation and the current chair of the Barbados Broadcasting Authority, is being recognised with the country’s second highest honour – Order of the Republic – for her “sterling contribution to broadcasting, media relations, corporate communications, training, human resource development and educational technology, and for her distinguished service to Barbados as Head of the National Transformation Initiative”.  

Williams gets the Gold Trident of Excellence honour for her “outstanding achievements as a world-class athlete in sport and in particular track and field and her unrelenting efforts to bring global acclaim to Barbados”.    

Bellamy-Thompson is also being acknowledged with the conferment of the Barbados Service Medal for her sterling contribution to Barbados as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of the ‘Fishers of Men’ charity and her outstanding community service to assist children in care and those with disabilities, the homeless and vulnerable families across Barbados. 

Worrell will also receive the Barbados Service Medal for his “meritorious service as a youth advocate and social worker and his sterling contributions to community empowerment and the development of the sport of bodybuilding in Barbados”. 

(EJ) 

RECIPIENTS OF 2023 NATIONAL HONOURS

ORDER OF FREEDOM OF BARBADOS 

Reginald Richardo Farley, J.P. 

Kerryann Fenelle Ifill, S.C.M.  

Dodridge Denton Miller  

HONOURARY AWARDS ( ORDER OF FREEDOM  OF BARBADOS)   

His Excellency Paul Kagame        

His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali  

ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC  

Allyson Irmene Leacock, Ph.D

Esther Elizabeth Phillips  

Dr Grantley Einstein DeClaire Morris  

GOLD AWARD OF ACHIEVEMENT 

Angela Mary Simpson   

GOLD TRIDENT OF EXCELLENCE 

Winston Hudson Bayley   

Dr Ermine Claudine Augusta Belle

Canon Curtis Stephen Roosevelt Goodridge, J.P.

Daisy Suzanne King 

Sada Amelia Wenel Williams   

SILVER TRIDENT OF EXCELLENCE  

Daniel Owusu Boamah, Ph.D.   

Dr Jacqueline Michelle King   

Karen Louise Meakins   

Mitchell Anderson Nicholls  

Lana Cyrilene Yard   

BARBADOS SERVICE STAR 

Pamelia Tercina Brereton  

Heather Yvette Deane  

Lt. Commander Carl Alphonza Farley   

Maurice Wilfred  Gaskin   

Reverend Stephen Anderson Lorde, J.P., Ph.D.    

Natalie Shermaine Murray, J.P   

Kevin O’neil Vaughan    

BARBADOS SERVICE MEDAL 

Sharon Felicia Bellamy-Thompson   

Renford Mark Harper  

Pauline Ernesta Holder, J.P.   

Evelina Cecilia King-Harper, J.P.   

Betty Omega Waithe, J.P.  

Colin Anderson Vandyne Williams 

Ivor Sinclair Worrell, J.P.  

BARBADOS BRAVERY MEDAL 

Roger Orlando Rock   

Marlon Elrico Tempro

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By Emmanuel Joseph

The Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) is considering a review of this country’s voters’ list to determine if it needs to revisit the current shape of the nation’s 30 constituencies, a senior government official has told Barbados TODAY.

The official, who spoke to Barbados TODAY on Wednesday on condition of anonymity, said that the EBC will be conducting an exercise to validate the addresses of residents living in the various constituencies.

The exercise comes amid shifting demographics as more Barbadians move out from heavily populated urban areas while rural parishes begin to take on a more suburban character.  

“You are going to verify the addresses, delete people who you find to really have [died],” the official source said. “The determination is whether a review is required, the way you determine how many people are registered in constituencies. That is what needs to be revised. There are constituencies right now that have more electors in them than what the legislation says they should have.”

The senior public officer identified St Philip as one of those growing areas, noting that people are leaving St Michael and taking up residence there.

“Many of the ones in St Michael now have [fewer] electors than the legislation says they should have. So, it may just be moving a boundary line to even out the 30 constituencies, which might not require any addition or subtraction but an evening out. So, it could be any of those three things or maybe you just have to look at what the law says about how many people should be registered. There are a number of ways to look at it.”

Electoral authorities have announced their intention to remove some 2 085 names of people presumed to be dead from the National Register and the Register of Electors.

In a notice published in the press on Tuesday, the EBC said it intends to consider the deletion of names of persons from the Register of Electors published on January 31, and from the National Register as well.

Before the commission removes these names, it wants people at home and abroad to confirm that any of the individuals listed are indeed dead. They have until Friday to provide the information to the Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

The commission said that information should be submitted to the office at Level 1, Warrens Towers 2, Warrens, St Michael. The list is available on the EBC’s website at www.electoral.barbados.gov.bb.

The Register of Electors is continually updated by adding the names of eligible voters as well as by deleting the names of those who no longer meet eligibility requirements, such as the deceased and those who have been absent from Barbados for a period exceeding five years, with the exception of foreign service officers who are stationed abroad.

As far as the National Register is concerned, there is also a continuous National Registration System under the Barbados Identity Management Act 2021, where all citizens who are resident in Barbados, as well as citizens of other countries who have been permitted to remain here for a period of not less than six months, may be registered.  

Everyone who meets the requirements and is registered is issued the Barbados identification card. 

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb

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Democratic Labour Party (DLP) President Dr Ronnie Yearwood said Wednesday he is seeking clarity from the government on whether November 30 is still being observed as Independence Day or whether Republic Day is gradually taking its place.

In a personally delivered open letter to the office of Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the DLP leader voiced displeasure with any efforts to recognise November 30 as Republic Day. 

Dr Yearwood’s comments came in response to what he described as a prolonged period of silence after the administration endured public backlash last year in its attempt to rename November 30 as Barbados National Day.

Despite the Cabinet backtracking from the renaming at the time, Dr Yearwood charged that some subtle hints for the change are still being seen. 

The DLP, led by Errol Barrow, took Barbados into Independence in 1966 and held the reins of government through six terms and four premiers until it was swept entirely from power and out of parliament in the 2018 and 2022 general elections.

Yearwood said: “This year what we have found is much more subtle attempts where correspondence have been Independence Day and or Republic Day, and the controversy around this still stands. The government has not made a clear position on this, and we thought it necessary that we state the views of the Democratic Labour Party and its membership and the concerns of Barbadians on this issue.

“Independence Day is close to our hearts, it is that simple. It is not National Day, it is not Republic Day, it is not Day of Observance, it is Independence Day, it is that simple. We want to make it clear that it has to remain; there can be no subtle or not-so-subtle attempts by the government to rename the day or to try to erase the memory of Errol Barrow.”

Flanked by DLP officials, including third vice president Felicia Dujon, Young Democrats chairman Tyra Trotman, and DLP general secretary Steve Blackett, the DLP president told reporters Barbadians have made clear their position on the subject and their opinions should be respected.

“There does not need to be any more immortalisation,” declared Yearwood. “We became a republic, that is fine, we take note of that, we respect that moment, but the reality is we are an independent country, it happened, and that is what we want to celebrate. That is what Bajans have made clear that they want to celebrate.

“You don’t see other countries who have become republics and who have been independent try to just tussle and rename one. It’s a very odd thing to do. It’s almost like you are legacy grabbing, and you are trying to build a legacy around something that you did not have a part [in],” the DLP president said.

“You have removed the queen from being head of state, fine, we all wanted that, we all supported that. But the reality is, the heavy lifting and the work to bring this country from that collection of villages that Errol Barrow talked about, to a nation that could be proud of itself was done by that Independence generation.”

Yearwood also said that in support of the party’s concern surrounding the ambiguity of the current situation, they will once again not take part in the Independence Day celebrations.

“We cannot give credence to what is going on, and I think if we had to actively take part, it would be saying that this is okay. It is not okay, and if it takes every year for us to object, well we will object from now till the end of time. Every single year, same process, because we will not just stand by and quietly acquiesce to this happening,” he said.

As the Monument to the Barbadian Family was unveiled in Heroes Square on Tuesday, the Prime Minister made several remarks about the value of family, with which the DLP president agreed. However, he said that Mottley should engage the public in an open discussion about their views on these values rather than “lecturing”.

“I find her off-handed comments, as if she is lecturing to a nation of bad boys and girls, [are] wrong. We are grown-up people here. If you want to have a conversation about the values you want Barbadians to have, have it.

“We believe in family values, we believe in community values, we want those things to matter and to mean something for Barbadians. Does that mean that we don’t accept that change has to happen? Of course it has to happen. You can be progressive, but that progressiveness has to be built on a foundation,” the DLP leader insisted. 

(SB)

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By Emmanuel Joseph

Leading political observers have slammed the Democratic Labour Party – which led this country to Independence in 1966 – for opting out of participation in the nation’s 57th Independence anniversary celebrations and the second birthday of republican status. 

The decision, branded “silly”, a “red herring” and a “misuse of time” came from political scholars Professor Don Marshall, Dr Kristina Hinds and Peter Wickham, in separate interviews with Barbados TODAY, after the party’s president Dr Ronnie Yearwood delivered a three-page letter to Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s office at Government Headquarters.

In the letter, Yearwood expressed the party’s appreciation for the invitation but conveyed that it was “with a heavy heart that we must respectfully decline your invitation to attend this momentous event”. The rejection, as outlined by Yearwood, was not taken lightly and was grounded in the party’s commitment to respecting the will of the Barbadian people. 

Declaring that the DLP had evaluated the circumstances surrounding Barbados’ shift to a parliamentary Republic, Dr Yearwood said his party was concerned about perceived attempts to rebrand Independence Day as Republic Day. 

“Our attendance at this event would be perceived as an endorsement of a process that, in our assessment, falls short of the democratic standards that we hold dear. It is our duty as responsible and right-thinking Barbadians to give due regard to the voice of the people and their concerns, and champion the safeguarding of democracy wherever it may be threatened,” Yearwood wrote.

Professor Marshall, Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) at the UWI, said he was “stunned” by the response of the DLP to the government’s invitation.

“The letter clearly states that it’s an invitation to the 57th anniversary of Independence and the second anniversary of republican status. There is nothing wrong in acknowledging our Independence while also acknowledging that on this same day two years ago, we also completed the process of becoming a Republic.”

He suggested that while one can understand the party’s objection on the grounds that “there have been stealth attempts in their view to replace Independence Day with Republic Day, that’s a red herring in the rejection of this invitation because the invitation makes no pretence of trying to substitute one with the other”.

Professor Marshall also pointed out that the DLP’s letter acknowledges that both events are important, adding that any right-thinking Barbadian would interpret the reference to the two celebrations as fact rather than an alteration of history in any way.

“I am just stunned that with all that is happening in Barbados and the fact that the world is ‘on fire’ that the DLP could respond in such a way to an invitation to an event in which the country is charting a new path in its history and development,” he said.

Dr Hinds, who heads the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill Campus, suggested that the DLP leader could have better utilised his time to address more pressing national issues. While understanding his concerns, she questioned the necessity of a three-page letter in response to a decision not to attend the annual Independence Day Parade.

“I don’t think that we can assume because an invitation says that on Independence Day two years ago Barbados became a Republic is any affront to democracy,” Hinds told Barbados TODAY. “I think that there are probably other issues that the DLP might be better served by concentrating their energies on; other serious national issues. I am not saying that [any] decision to change the name of Independence Day to something else is not serious, but I am not clear that that is what is happening. But I am clear that there are a lot of other serious things that are happening in Barbados that people might prefer to hear the DLP taking a very strong position on.” 

She added: “If the DLP does not want to attend the Independence Day Parade, they do not have to, but to pen a three-page letter about not attending the Independence Parade is, to me, likely a misuse of time.”  

Regional pollster Wickham, meanwhile, said: “Quite frankly, this approach of Yearwood and the DLP is bordering on silly as it sets the stage for an annual political drama at a time when we should be celebrating our achievements as a nation.”

He described Yearwood’s open letter as a continuation of the DLP’s campaign to undermine the celebration of progress to a Republic, a status he contended the party has never been enthusiastic about.  

“It seems clear that the DLP believes that the celebration of our Republic, undermines our celebration of Independence and moreover that they are in a competitive battle with the BLP over one versus the other; and this is the basis of my fundamental disagreement with Yearwood,” Wickham told Barbados TODAY.  

“I have always contended that becoming a Republic is a natural evolution of the Independence movement and jointly this occasion provides a unique opportunity for an expression of national unity that will now be lost.”

While he was inclined to agree with Yearwood’s campaign to resist the rebranding of November 30 as National Day, Wickham said the DLP “also needs to understand that success in that campaign means that we will need to continue celebrating both [Independence Day and Republic Day] on the same day which he also now appears to be resisting”.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb 

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Two Independent senators on Wednesday took the government to task for rushing to make substantial changes to national insurance legislation, not even four months after repealing it and moving amendments through the Houses of Parliament.

Senators Dr Kristina Hinds and Monique Taitt attempted to punch several holes in the legislation. Senator Taitt described it as an “abomination” and Dr Hinds declared that she was “torn” because while she supported the attempt to bring more self-employed people into the social security system, she remained worried about those areas of the legislation which it seemed legislators were being called to “skip over”.

“I am not in support of increasing the retirement age to 68,” Dr Hinds told the Upper Chamber while praising the move to draw more self-employed people into the social security net through the National Insurance and Social Security (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill. 

At the same time, she called for the full intent of the legislative change to be made clear.

The new bill, she charged, was “littered” with changes including additions, removals and expansions that could not be categorised as “minor” and which were introduced since the last debate on national insurance in August this year. In spite of that debate, Dr Hinds added, there were still glaring areas that needed to be amended and substantive issues that senators were apparently being encouraged to ignore.

“Changes that were suggested were treated as if they were nonsensical,”  the political science academic recalled. “Instead of addressing things at the place where they can be amended and saying let’s go back and look at this legislation and come back …to address the amended legislation, you have to pass it now, today, as is. And then you come back and repeal the same thing that we passed.”

The senator bemoaned the unwillingness to address the concerns that were raised in what she described as the “back-patting” exercise.

She declared her opposition to increasing the pensionable age, saying the change was not a minor matter.

“I am not supportive of increasing the retirement age to 68. I’m not going to pretend that I am,” Dr Hinds said. “I am also not in favour of us speaking about a piece of legislation that contains a whole set of things about the governance structure of the National Insurance Service as if it does not contain these things. I am not in favour of that.”

Immediately following Dr Hinds, Senator Taitt attacked the government’s move to rush the legislation through the Senate given Senate President Reginald Farley’s waiving of Rule 58 of the Standing Orders to facilitate the debate on the amendment during Wednesday’s sitting – an unusual step for the Upper House.

“That is severely flawed. We cannot continue to perpetuate the ability to get waivers because we can. It is not good,” she said

She also criticised the rush to bring the law into force since the governance structure of the new social security entity to replace the National Insurance Scheme is earmarked to come into force on Friday.

“So it’s a fait accompli. No matter what anybody says, it’s going to pass today because that is the way things happen. But there is something fundamentally wrong with that…. It needs fixing,” Senator Taitt said.

The senator acknowledged that she was “bothered” by the repealing of “an entire piece” of legislation that was passed only four months ago.

“That is unheard of,” the attorney-at-law said. “Frankly, I find it embarrassing and I find it disturbing.”

She said it was important during the drafting stage to take special care with legislation since this has the potential to affect how it is used later, telling fellow senators that there were “glaring” and disturbing issues in the legislation which suggested “a lack of care”.

(SP)

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Government Senator John King is encouraging entertainers and sports people to take advantage of the “lifeline” thrown to them to contribute to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

He noted that historically, these groups of people have not actively paid contributions and, therefore, have not been able to benefit from NIS pensions. At their death, he added, their families have to be assisted with burial.

Speaking in the Upper Chamber on Wednesday on the National Insurance and Social Security (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2023, Senator King said: “This is so important and so crucial to the development of a wide set of people across this country who for many years have been, in so many ways, ostracised, intentionally or otherwise.

“On behalf of all those persons who might not have the opportunity to say it in here, I would like to take it upon myself and speak for them and say ‘thank you’.”

The former calypso king and Member of Parliament told the Senate that the change to the legislation to institute flexible payments for the self-employed is a “monumental” step which paves the way for construction workers and other labourers to be covered.

“Take advantage of this,” he urged the self-employed. “If you have the opportunity, as money comes in to pay what you can, you have the opportunity to do it online so that at the end, when it is time for you to get [payments]… you really can’t ask for anything better than that.”

The amendment was also supported by Senators Andrew Mallalieu and Lindell Nurse. 

Nurse said he was happy that self-employed people now had the flexibility to contribute and even build on their qualifying years with back payments. He encouraged them to get on board with the NIS and help to provide for their own retirement and pension planning to keep themselves out of poverty.

However, he raised some concerns about the new board having the “baggage” of the old unaudited accounts rather than being able to start out “on the right foot”.

In his contribution, Senator Mallalieu said self-employed people who do not contribute only have themselves to blame when they are not able to collect from the scheme.

The independent senator reiterated his view that employers who collect contributions on behalf of employees and withhold those payments from the NIS should be called to account.

He does not believe the fundamental problem of “the uncollected income from non-compliant employers” has been addressed in the new legislation.

“That money does not belong to the employer. It belongs to the employee and it was to go to the scheme. Any of those delinquent employers should be prosecuted,” he insisted. (SP)

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Several schools across the island have been celebrating ahead of Independence Day on Thursday and two of them – the Barbados Seventh-Day Adventist Secondary School and the Coleridge And Parry Secondary School – engaged students by telling stories of yesteryear. 

At the Seventh-Day Adventist School in Dalkeith Road, St Michael, history teacher Antoinette Rock said students learned about the island’s journey to independence and about the outstanding Barbadians who contributed to the development of the nation.

For the first time, the school also held a Parade of Parishes, an activity that involved a group from each class making a costume or highlighting a feature of one of Barbados’ 11 parishes. This segment was complemented by a live band playing folk songs.

Rock told Barbados TODAY she was pleased about the day’s proceedings. 

Over at Coleridge And Parry in Ashton Hall, St Peter, guests were invited to speak to the student body.

Accomplished chef and past student Adrian Cumberbatch spoke about the history of Bajan delicacies, pointing out that many of them dated back to the enslavement period.

He said slaves were fed scraps such as cow heels, chicken feet and pig feet.

Cumberbatch also shared with them that conkies were brought to the Caribbean from Ghana. The original treat was called kenkey.

Member of Parliament for St Peter Colin Jordan also gave the students a history lesson, telling them that Holetown in the nearby parish of St James was the first landing site of the British in 1627.

He encouraged the students to be grateful for the freedoms and privileges they have today and never take them for granted as their foreparents endured many difficulties so they could have certain liberties. (SZB) 

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Prime Minister Mia Mottley on Thursday hailed news that delegates attending the COP28 conference in Dubai have reached a deal on the long-anticipated loss and damage fund that will help developing countries affected by the costly impact of climate change.

On day one of the two-week climate summit, rich countries agreed to contribute to the fund with hosts, the United Arab Emirates, agreeing to contribute $100 million, Britain approximately $451 million, $15.5 million from the United States, and $10 million from Japan. The European Union pledged $245.39 million, according to Reuters News agency.

Addressing this morning’s Independence celebrations, Mottley, who has been leading efforts to press rich countries to compensate developing countries forced to cope with stronger, more frequent storms, irregular weather patterns and other effects triggered by the climate crisis briefly highlighted the development, noting it was only a start.

She told citizens it was clear that Barbados despite its size, can provide leadership to ensure the world can become a better place.
“Indeed as we speak here today, certain word has come from the UAE that the world’s nations have finally not only settled on the Loss and Damage Fund, but the capitalisation of it has started this morning in earnest,” she disclosed.

She thanked Barbadians for playing a role in ensuring that “this most essential item of justice can help level the playing field for those of us who have become victims of the climate crisis.”

Mottley, who will leave the island later today to attend COP 28, acknowledged there was still much work ahead

“Will we, today or next week see capitalisation where we want it, No. But it is the beginning. And as we have learned, step by step, we can ensure justice is delivered,” she said.

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The Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) will temporarily suspend printing driving licence cards at its Pine location on Friday, December 1, 2023.

This is to facilitate the servicing of its printers. During this time, persons may visit the Holetown branch of the BLA to have new or renewed driving licence cards printed.

The BLA apologises for any inconvenience caused, and thanks the public for its patience. (PR/MTWW)

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Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight says that less than 15 per cent of the self-employed in Barbados are contributing to the National Insurance Scheme.

She told the Upper House on Wednesday that the changes to the national insurance laws to make it easier for self-employed to make contributions to the scheme as they earn were being made under the advice of Government’s Chief Parliamentary Counsel to make sure the country moves forward in the most “efficient” way.

She said the repealing of the changes made in August this year was necessary to correct some deficiencies in the legislation.

“We could not in good conscience stand on our pride if there was an opportunity that would allow us to be able to immediately make sure that we had the best fit of legislation that would allow us to ensure that those self-employed people could operate within the new dispensation in a system that would create a more flexible, adaptable and fit-for-purpose system,” she said at the start of the session.

Moving the second reading of the National Insurance and Social Security (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2023, Senator Dr Munro-Knight said the reimagined scheme was important so that more Barbadians could contribute and benefit from the social security investment.

The acting Leader of Government Business noted that the low participation rate by self-employed persons in the scheme needs to be addressed. She explained that the large group of people including the elderly, will have a support mechanism when, later, they come to lean on the state for assistance.

Addressing why the Government has returned to the legislation to increase the participation of the self-employed, Dr Munro-Knight said entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the country and the legislative change will address the needs of those in the non-traditional sectors.

“Those are the persons who built this country, the people who started with a one-door store in town and then built it up, who are also employers. Those people are entrepreneurs with small and medium-sized businesses,” she said.

She said the previous system was not attuned to their needs and how they operated.

“We were doing a fundamental disservice to those entrepreneurs,” she told the Upper House.

The big question for the set of builders of Barbados, she noted, is “What happens if..? (SP)

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Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Trisha Tannis urges citizens to remain resilient in the face of challenges. She has pledged the business community’s commitment to working with other stakeholders to create sustainable growth.

Below is the full text of the BPSA’s message:

As we celebrate our republic’s 57^th year of independence, the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) is proud to offer our greetings to the citizens of Barbados, its residents and its diaspora. Our journey as a people has been one marked by resilience, fortitude, and an unwavering commitment to social enfranchisement that continues to propel us forward.

Independence is not merely a celebration of our past but an embodiment of our collective ability to overcome challenges and emerge stronger. This year, as we reflect on our journey, the theme of resilience resonates profoundly with the private sector and the entire Barbadian community. In the face of global conflicts and wars, high inflation, interest rate hikes, and the increased attempts to dismantle our global business sector, we have stood firm in our commitment to progress. The entrepreneurial spirit that runs through the veins of our people that has been the driving force behind our resilience. It is a resilience that has allowed our businesses to adapt, innovate, and enable the 10 consecutive quarters of economic growth in our beloved nation.

The private sector remains deeply committed to the social partnership and working hand-in-hand with the labour movement and government to build a Barbados that is not only economically robust but also socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable.  In this regard the BPSA reaffirms its commitment to the Declaration of Mission Barbados and will continue to work with our social partners to create frameworks for sustainable and inclusive growth. It is the collective resilience actions of all people and enterprises which call Barbados home that will continue to build a brighter, more prosperous future for all.

In closing, let us celebrate our 57th year of independence with a renewed sense of pride and industry.  It is the ingenuity, compassion, respect for the environment and strong sense of community which defines what it means to be Bajan. Together, we can overcome any challenge, embrace new opportunities, and chart a course towards a future filled with prosperity and success.

Happy Independence Day, Barbados!

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President of the Barbados Youth  Development Council (BYDC) Caleb Brathwaite wants young people to have a greater say in the national decision-making process.  He made a strong case for Government to do more to empower youth.

Below is the full text of the  BYDC’s message:

Fellow Barbadians, fellow young people Happy Independence Day!

As loyal sons and daughters all, this Independence Day, as we reflect on how far we have come as a country, we have much to celebrate, but at the same time, as I seek to hereby make it known, we also have a lot to prioritize, that of youth development. It must be noted that it was only three years later, after becoming independent, this country established a National Youth Council, the Barbados National Youth Council, now called the Barbados Youth Development Council (BYDC) which is the oldest continuous National Youth Council in the Caribbean as well as Latin America and the fourth oldest National Youth Council in the world.

However, 54 years later, we must get serious as a country as it relates to prioritizing youth development. The National Youth Policy must be passed in Parliament and reflect the three pillars of youth development, that of a well-resourced National Youth Council (Barbados Youth Development Council), an effective and functioning Youth Parliament and thirdly, an independent and effective National Students’ Union comprising a Barbados’ Secondary Schools Students’ Association & Tertiary Institutions Students’ Association. It is with that said, youth inclusion would not only be talked about and little to be seen, but young people would have a holistic voice in decisions that ultimately affect us.

With expectations great, it is my hope, that Government would take the stance and outline, legislatively, that no young person in this country should be subjected to unpaid internships and if paid, must be commensurate to the hours worked among other injustices young people face daily that must be rectified with haste, that there would be more emphasis placed on digital skills where we become a technologically advanced society, that innovative solutions are at the forefront of decision making, this I call for, this Independence Day and greater will our nation grow.

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Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association Ryan Forde underscores the importance of the tourism sector which he said is on the rebound. He urged Barbadians to support the vital sector which makes a substantial contribution to the country’s economic well-being.

Below is the full text of the BHTA’s message:

These days the years go by quickly however, the memories of our forefathers and foremothers are still etched in our minds – the steps and journeys they embarked upon to make sure that we can celebrate being free people with free choices.

We are told that the passage to Independence was a long, tiring but well rewarding journey. The stories fill us with pride each year as the 30^th of November approaches. This year, as we celebrate the 57th anniversary of the hard work of those who came before us, we are reminded that the movement to Independence and becoming a Republic does not conclude our journey.

It may have begun over a century ago, but we have many more steps to take as a country and as the proud people that we are. As Barbadians, we must now stand up and take ownership of where we wish to be by the time we reach our 100^th year of Independence and beyond.

As we acknowledge that we survived the toughest time in our most recent history – the crippling COVID-19 pandemic. We are more than aware that we did not just lose economically and socially, but we lost loved ones as well. Despite this, we carried on and Barbados is now front of mind as a result of many notable achievements and partnerships across our glorious industries.

One such industry is tourism. We must remember however that tourism is not just “a sector”. It is one of the few with linkages to all other sectors. When we put tourism down, we must remember what happened when we put sugar down. We must never forget that when this industry does not do well, it is our people who suffer.

These are the people who have loved this industry and who have put their sweat and tears into it as team members, leaders and owners. These are the people who must be applauded and boasted about to the world, for our successes. Tourism may not be for everyone, but it surely caters to all, in the returns by financial impacts and most importantly, sociable experiences that form a lifetime of memories.

We have ‘steadied the ship’ for the most part and now we are sailing towards a brighter future. One that must involve each of us as we plot a way forward for tourism and that we must be ‘smart’ about, particularly in the next 10 years, which is considered ‘the Decade of Change’.

We must find ways to incorporate more of what is truly ‘Barbadiana’ through the eyes, hands, mouths and energy of our people, while excelling in creative sustainable developments that entice the ‘minds and pockets’ of the dreamers who want to enjoy a piece of the rock. This rock is special to us as a people and we must steer the investment in the direction that protects our indigenous traits and bloodline, while promoting a prosperous future for generations to come.

For those of us who work directly in the sector, we are ecstatic with the direction the country is heading in, coming out of the pandemic and years of poor economic performance. As our industry leads the economic direction of the country and supports other sectors through strong linkages, we will continue to strengthen and promote these partnerships.

The future is bright with new refurbishments and redevelopments which directed us out of COVID-19 including the Barbados Museum in 2021, Harrison’s Cave Eco Adventure Park and Walker’s Reserve in 2022. In addition, we close the year with the opening of the historic property Sam Lord’s Castle – A Wyndham Grand Resort, while ground has also been broken on Hotel Indigo (IHG brand). The mixture of indigenous, historical and international brand development is key to the direction that the industry is going.

There are also numerous success stories across the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) membership in the form of new restaurants, attractions and local and international hotels. We are confident that this list will continue to grow and build on what others before were so successful in doing in the past.

The BHTA has been assisting in the development of the economy of Barbados for 71 years and we represent all team members as well as local and international brands across the sector. The headlines may speak to a company’s name, but we wish to highlight that the energy, enthusiasm, and love of our team members paved the way for companies to be successful. That success has in turn paved bright futures for many children and for families to grow in this country.

The love and bond that is shared amongst us in the industry is much more than anything seen before and we must take pride in knowing that it has allowed us as a country to be leaders in tourism for decades. Celebrating 57 years with Barbadians for the world to see is also, in part, celebrating our people within the industry from team members to owners and supporting stakeholders. We wish to jointly celebrate you!

In closing, I wish to take this opportunity to speak to the people of Barbados intimately and directly. On behalf of the BHTA, we thank you for supporting our team members and leaders by sharing great memories within the industry locally, regionally, and internationally. Your love and appreciation does not go unnoticed. Do not ever forget, we as a country are better and stronger when we are together.

My wish is for each ‘Bajan’ to take pride in our country. Remember that we are unique in every way possible and that there is no place like home. We must face the challenges for improvement and the WINS must be celebrated. Use the 57^th Anniversary of the Independence of Barbados as a time to reflect, reset and recharge on a path towards a stronger Barbados and a Barbados where we work together progressively, as we celebrate in love and happiness.

I wish love and blessings for all of Barbados and congratulations for where we are and where we are about to go, together! Happy Independence Barbados!

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General Secretary of the Barbados Workers Union Toni Moore says the union will continue to resist unfair labour practices and vowed to strongly defend workers to ensure they can succeed.

Below is the full text of the BWU’s message:

Comrades and friends , as we stand today in our beloved Republic, we celebrate not just a nation’s independence since 1966, but a journey of resilience, growth, and unwavering commitment to progress. Our transformation into a Republic is a testament to our unique identity, an identity carved out of our shared history and aspirations.

Once tethered by the chains of plantocracy, Barbados has blossomed into a nation that values and upholds the dignity of every worker. However, as we look around, the shadows of an archaic past still linger in some corners, particularly in our hotel sector. These workers, the backbone of our economy, continue to face conditions that echo a bygone era. This is not the Barbados we strive for; this is not the Republic we envisioned.

As the Barbados Workers’ Union, we stand at the forefront of this battle against the remnants of a past that sought to diminish the value of our people. The principles of republicanism – liberty, equality, and fraternity – resonate deeply with the ethos of our trade union movement. We believe in a Barbados where every worker’s rights are protected, where fair labour practices are not just an ideal but a reality. So to every worker in Barbados, our fight for Hotel Workers must not be seen simply as a fight for those who are the public face of our hospitality; in their experience we see ourselves.  Our stand with them is therefore part of our wider mission to stave off the offensive of employers who put profit over people.

Solidarity with them will be the benefit of all of us.  Our efforts are not just for today but for the generations that will follow, inspired by the legacy of the right excellent Errol Barrow, who championed the cause of free education and envisioned a Barbados where every citizen’s potential could be realized.

Also, as we reflect on our proud history, we cannot overlook the monumental contributions of the right excellent Grantley Adams, a beacon of hope and progress in our nation’s journey. Sir Grantley, serving as President of the Barbados Workers’ Union from 1941 to 1954, was a pivotal figure in spearheading the rights of workers and steering our country away from the shadows of plantocracy.

Our victories this year with Duty-Free Caribbean, Massy and KFC, to name a few, are significant milestones in our journey. They are a testament to the strength and unity of our movement. Being mature, resolute and steadfast in our advocacy has seen us making remarkable strides for members and non-members alike; but the journey is far from over.

As the Barbados Workers’ Union continues to embrace the ideals of our Republic, we have been embracing a rebirth within our Union as well. With new hires, fresh perspectives, and rejuvenated energy, the BWU stands ready to usher in an era of renewed commitment and stronger resolve.

To every member and every Barbadian, our wish is that we reinvigorate our spirit this Independence Day. Let us celebrate the progress we have made as we confront the challenges before us and recommit to a future where every Barbadian thrives. Our journey is one of continuous evolution – from the shadows of our past may we continue to build towards a future bright with promise.

At 67, we are neither ready to retire nor to slacken in our riding.  As we forge ahead, may we recommit to building a Barbados that is resilient, sustainable, and reflective of the aspirations of every worker and indeed of every citizen. A Barbados that Sir Grantley Adams and other forebears would be proud of. A Barbados that stands as a beacon of hope, progress, and unity. Long live our Republic, and long live the Barbados Workers’ Union – May God continue to bless us all!

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The Usain Bolt Sports Complex was transformed into a beacon of national pride and excellence earlier today as Barbados celebrated its 57th anniversary of independence.

It was a spectacle to behold as uniformed armed and unarmed troops paraded before President of Barbados Dame Sandra Mason, Prime Minister Mia Mottley and other dignitaries.

The pomp and pageantry on display were at their zenith and the melodies, rhythms and harmonies that made up the locally composed music played by the mass band, symbolised the Barbadian devotion to country and national identity.

During her speech, Mottley said that Barbados was the “best little rock that this world has ever seen” and the island was characterised by certain principles that allowed it to punch above its weight.

Despite the hardships that faced the island over the past years, she encouraged Barbadians to be thankful that the small island state was able to showcase resilience and strength.

“We must give thanks because we haven’t gotten here by accident. But we have weathered some of the most difficult times in the last few years. And we stand tall and proud on this sunny day of our 57th anniversary of independence . . . As we give thanks, let us also remember that the journey is not over. And if the journey is not over, we will do well always to recollect purpose and mission. We will do well to remember the principles that hold and unite our nation together. And I ask us to pay tribute to those principles, the commitment to pride and industry in our motto, to excellence as we have seen in the distribution of medals and awards today,” she said.

“On this 57th anniversary, I ask us therefore as people of this proud nation, of this proud republic, that we remember the basics. Be grateful and be full of grace. Be committed and be constant in our purpose . . . I want equally to recognise that beyond excellence, our commitment to social justice and social unity, to caring for each other, that these things matter, not just in the affairs of state, but indeed, in the daily practice of our lives as we engage with each other, family to family, friends, work colleagues, and indeed the stranger in the street. These are the principles that have sustained generations of Barbadians before us and must still do so today.”

The Prime Minister also said that the hard work and dedication of Barbadians to overcome the economic challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic was bearing fruit as this year, “Barbados has been adjudged as the fifth fastest growing economy in the entire world”.

Stating that this was no easy feat, she said, Barbados, despite its small size, has shown it was a force to be reckoned with.

“That has not come by accident. That has come by the sacrifice and of the hard work and the commitment to industry and the commitment to inclusive growth that we have put. We have known what it is to do things that people said shouldn’t be done . . .”

As she concluded her remarks, Mottley asked those in the audience, who decorated the stands at the complex in yellow and blue, to join her as she blessed the nation.

“I ask us now to stand and give three cheers to our great nation and to remember those who could not be with us today. But to have them at the centre of our thoughts, because Barbados is not only our country, Barbados is, and please forgive me, the best little rock that this world has ever seen. God bless Bim. Hip hip, hip, hip hip! God bless Bim on Independence Day.”

During the national independence ceremony, 35 outstanding citizens received national honours.

Among them were advocate for the disabled community Kerryann Ifill, the first woman to serve as President of the Senate from 2012 to 2018, the first person with a disability and the youngest ever to hold the post; the current President of the Senate, Reginald Farley, who has a distinguished career as a policymaker, diplomat, leader of industry and accountant; and banking and insurance giant Dodridge Miller, who had an exceptional career in the local and regional banking and financial sector.

These remarkable individuals received the highest national honour-The Order of Freedom of Barbados.

Ordinary Barbadians who made a national impact also were conferred honours.

Philanthropist and founder of  Fishers of Men Charity Sharon Bellamy-Thompson received a Barbados Service Medal.

Following the ceremony, the fish vendor who has become a staple at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex, told Barbados TODAY that she was thankful.

“I didn’t expect it and I am very grateful that all the hard work has paid off,” she said thanking all her sponsors and well-wishers for their contributions, which ensured she was able to feed the homeless for over 35 years.

Marlon Van Wick Tempro, a public service vehicle operator, who transports passengers along the Oistins, Christ Church route, was conferred a Barbados Bravery Medal.

Tempro received a standing ovation as chief executive officer of the National Cultural Foundation Carol Roberts-Reifer outlined  why he was bestowed with the award. He received loud screams and a long round of applause as he collected his award.

Tempro told Barbados TODAY that words could not describe how he felt.

“Honestly, I am speechless, I was not looking for this. I am very grateful and humble,” he said.

In July, two young men held the ZR driver at gunpoint in an attempted robbery while he was at work. Tempro courageously got himself out of hot water and lived to tell the story. (SZB)

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