Government’s policy of openness to the free movement of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) citizens, goods and services could unlock much needed economic development for Barbados, says Home Affairs Minister Edmund Hinkson.

During a BLP City branch meeting last evening Hinkson said the country’s previous anti-CARICOM policy was partly to blame for the near decade-long economic recession.

Bemoaning former Prime Minister David Thompson’s controversial immigration policy when he advocated  ‘ever so welcome, wait for a call,’ Hinkson pledged to “bring immigration to a Christian understanding if it’s the last thing I do”.

[caption id="attachment_291947" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson (right) and Minister of Health and Wellness, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic interacting with the audience on Sunday.[/caption]

“They had immigration officials picking up people at 5 o’clock in the morning and reportedly making people leave their belongings behind to be put on planes. That is inhumane and it caused tremendous dislocation for Barbados’ economy because businesses closed down.

“This is one of the reasons why Barbados’ economy was the worst in the entire Caribbean. International problems had a part to play, but there were some countries that did not go into recession,” he argued.

During a wide-ranging attack on critics of Government’s pro-integration stance, he said that Barbados’ future was “tied up to a significant degree with the future of CARICOM.”

Currently, he claimed, over 50 per cent of Barbadian goods are exported to CARICOM countries making integration necessary for the progress of key local businesses.

“Without CARICOM and without the Treaty of Chaguaramas which established the CSME in 2005, unemployment would be much higher. A lot of Barbadians have jobs in various industries because of CARICOM . . . because we can sell our goods to other CARICOM countries without duties or tariffs.

“I have been to St Vincent and seen Mount Gay rum selling cheaper in St Vincent than Barbados. That is possible because it is entering St Vincent without duties, tariffs or anything,” said Hinkson.

He added: “It was sad for me to hear that a Democratic Labor [Party] leadership can be criticizing that when their founding father was the first one to open up Barbados to Caricom citizens of other islands to work in a sugar industry that Barbadians did not want to work in,” said Hinkson of former Prime Minister Errol Barrow’s contribution to regional integration.

“They helped build up this country like Barbadians who have gone overseas, whether to England, Canada, America or other CARICOM countries.”

The Minister’s comments come amid a huge debate about the recent CARICOM amendment bill, which extends contingent rights to the spouses and children of skilled nationals.

Hinkson also promised that CARICOM immigrants would not be subjected to inhumane treatment at the country’s borders under his watch. He however said Government would act within the confines of the law as it continued to take immigration seriously.

“My mother is Guyanese so let me say that up front and I am proud of that, but I will still send out the Guyanese sex workers as I did a few months ago if they’re here illegally. I sent them out and got cussed, but I sent them out,” he said. 

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With 18 murders three months into 2019 - including a weekend double murder - the chief of detectives Eucklyn Thompson says investigators have solved most of the killings.

“We have solved the majority of the murders for the year thus far,” said the Assistant Commissioner of Police for Crime, the head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). “We have always done well in solving crimes in Barbados and I think this is one of the things Barbadians know us for.”

But the Police high command officer acknowledges that detectives’success, including falling crime rates, are cold comfort to many gripped by fear.

Thompson told Barbados TODAY: “Crime is down but the public is not going to take comfort in that in the face of murders, especially at the levels we have had this year, because people are going to naturally be afraid to go out. So, to tell people that serious crimes are down is going to mean nothing to them in the face of 18 murders.”

The head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said his department’s round-the-clock efforts to wrestle gun violence to the ground are manifested in how quickly the police have been able to solve these murders.

Thompson said: “It is not a desirable state to be in to have 18 murders and March is not yet completed. This is not at all desirable for the administration of the Royal Barbados Police Force and it is certainly something we wrap our head around and strategise about every day.”

Thompson thanked the public for continuing to provide information leading to the arrest of perpetrators.

In the wake of three shooting deaths over the weekend, Thompson reminded Barbadians that while the force has wide scope with respect to crime detection and intelligence gathering, prevention is a much tougher task.

Thompson said: “While with the best will in the world any law enforcement organisation would want to prevent crime and in particular crime where people lose their lives, we cannot be in the minds of people.  In the scope of things in our country we can only execute plans which speak to protection and detection by doing things such as patrolling. We cannot prevent a man or woman from conjuring up in their minds to execute somebody.”

On Friday, 16-year-old Ashton Renaldo Forde of Green Hill, St Michael was shot and killed around 9:35 p.m. Two days later, Betty Mayers and son Jamal became murder victims 17 and 18, and they too met their demise by gun violence.

Thompson pointed out that in the case of Forde’s death, officers were on patrol in the area as part of ramped up efforts to bring crime hotspots under control. 

He noted that: “None of these crimes are
done in the presence of the police. They are done when the police are not there . . . . For instance, when we got the report of the incident at Eden Lodge, we were actually in the area. We were able to respond quickly but we were not able to prevent the loss of life. The person or persons who executed that shooting death was ahead
of us.”

Thompson also revealed that other serious crimes are on the decline but acknowledged that this fact is of little comfort to Barbadians.
colvillemounsey@barbadostoday.bb

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Some residents of Rices, St Philip have not slept since the horror of cold-blooded murder visited their doorstep with the gunning down of a 52-year-old woman and her 32-year-old son in the community.

What has been equally hard to accept is that two boys, ages six and 11 years were said to have been at the house when the incident unfolded.

When Barbados TODAY visited the community over 12 hours after the brazen double shooting, dozens of neighbours with bloodshot eyes stood outside in small groups still stunned by the unexpected developments.

[caption id="attachment_291966" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Jamal Mayers and his mother Betty Mayers (inset) were murdered on Sunday night in Rices, St Philip.[/caption]

Hours before, the bodies of Betty Mayers and her son, Jamal Mayers were removed from the gruesome scene, but the stench of blood still lingered in the air.

“He ran from one side of the house over to the banana patch and they worked on him out there. I’m telling you, it was terrible,” one relative said, referring to the murder of the younger Mayers.

Meanwhile, the blood-spattered wall at the front of Mayer’s small house marked the spot where she died moments later.

Neighbors and relatives said the mother of two lived with her elderly father and her 11-year-old grandson- the child of her now deceased son. The pre-teen was reportedly at home with a six-year-old relative when the gunfire erupted.

“The first thing the six-year-old told me was, ‘my nana died praying’ when she got shot,” said another relative who last night begged police to provide counseling for the two children.

“It’s such a sad occasion and he is preparing for the 11-plus exam and he will have to take the exam with that on his mind. Could you believe it?

“The older boy apparently had to place his hand on the mouth of the younger one who started screaming, because he didn’t want the shooters to know they were in the house.

“They had to go underneath the cellar from inside the kitchen and hide. When the shooting stopped, he lifted the other one over the fence and went all the way down to the back,” said the relative.

Police Public Relations Officer acting Inspector Rodney Inniss said around 8 p.m. Sunday night, they received a call that two masked men were seen at a house in the community and on arrival discovered the motionless bodies.

Contrary to previous reports, family members said Jamal Mayers did not live in Rice’s, but in Reed Street, The City, where he moved when he was about 15 years old. He visited his mother on Sundays to be with his son. On this occasion however, he missed the bus to Bridgetown and as a result remained in the eastern parish later than usual.

“She would have been alive if he had caught a bus and gone along about his business,” said one relative.

Another neighbor added that on Sunday evenings, the mother of two would usually attend church in Church Village, St Philip. However on this occasion, church had been cancelled.

“She didn’t go to church in the morning, because she wasn’t quite ready when her lift arrived. She was getting ready to go in the evening, but one of her church sisters rang and told her don’t bother to come, because church is cancelled. If there was church, she would have been alive.”

Relatives spoke glowingly of the deceased woman, describing her as a praying woman.

“I don’t believe it. Betty of all people was innocent . . . Betty would not hurt a fly. She prayed morning, noon and night. She was always keeping a lot of noise, speaking in tongues and that kind of thing,” said the relative.

Of the gunmen, another questioned: “Why did they come up here? Why did they follow him up here?

“This was a place where we used to stay up all night playing rounders.

“The only thing we could complain about is children stealing your ackees and breaking a couple of canes to sell on the road and children do that all over the place,” she said.

Another elderly woman speculated that based on the precise nature of the killing, the gunmen had conducted some research before making their move.

“I believe they scouted this area,” she said, while lamenting on the recent scourge of violence affecting various communities in St Philip.

Since the incident, priest-in-charge of the nearby St Martin’s Anglican Church, Reverend Amrela Massiah expressed alarm at the increasing violence in the parish and its impact particularly on “school-aged” youth.

Stressing that “political games” were not to the answer, she said: “I know that prayer can change things and to this end I am hoping to mobilize all pastors in Rices-Kirtons-St Martin-Gemswick area to stand with me against this evil.’

She added: “I’ve already contacted two ministers in the area and have asked them to meet with me. I’d like us to put our ecclesiological and theological ‘differences’ aside and address this together. I also contacted our parliamentary representative [Indar Weir] and asked if he would be willing to work with us on a response to this,” she said.

Near the scene, a frustrated elderly woman lamented, “They said that our new bishop, Maxwell will bring the young people in church and I said yes, these are the young people that they will bring in church. They will bring them in dead.”

Meanwhile the police PRO made another appeal as the country grappled with a bloody weekend in which the country recorded its 16th, 17th and 18th murders.

“Anything that you have heard, anything that you know, however small we are appealing to people to let us know what is going on,” Inniss urged.
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb

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The Red Foundation and the Coalition for the Barbados Association of Central Florida are continuing efforts to assist the St Mark’s Primary School, this time giving ten students backpacks filled with stationery and promising continued assistance.

The presentation was made at the Blades Hill, St Philip school last Friday by the members of the Foundation – patron and Cultural Ambassador Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire, chairman Alvin Jemmott, deputy chairman Henderson Griffith, and treasurer Kim Deane.

Wiltshire, who said the foundation’s aim was to support the school as much as it could, thanked all the organisations in the diaspora that have assisted, particularly the Coalition for the Barbados Association of Central Florida, Robinson Smiles, and Transit Workers and Friends of New York.

“Our connection with the diaspora is important, and when we speak of the diaspora we speak of the people who are Barbadians that live in other countries in the world. They want to help you. They want to contribute to your development because they see themselves as Barbadians, just like you, and want to see you develop,” he told the students.

Wiltshire assured that as long as he was the foundation’s patron, there would always be a connection to the school. He encouraged the students to be proud of their institution’s rich history, which he said included producing many outstanding Barbadians.

“You too can grow to become outstanding Barbadians, once you focus on your school work and remain as disciplined as possible. We will try our best to give you the support that you need to continue to press on. We are here for you,” he said.

Last year, the Red Foundation provided a paved walkway for students and staff to get from one area of the school to another when it rained, Jemmott reminded. And he said the donation of the bags and supplies was a continuation of the foundation’s commitment “to help our community”.

“We know that today there are many young people at risk in our society and some get involved in negative behaviour; some get involved in things that cause them to be in trouble. We do not want that for you. One of the reasons that our young people get into trouble is because they are oftentimes not given the assistance that they may need or the helping hand to get beyond any hurdle. Today’s donation is part and parcel of us saying we are here to help,” the chairman said.

Dale Husbands, president of the Orlando-based Coalition for the Barbados Association of Central Florida, said that after a conversation with Wiltshire who performs at their annual Independence Gala, they “fell in love” with the concept of the Red Foundation and some of its goals and decided to become an active partner.

Apart from the donation of supplies, the association gave cash at the Foundation’s launch, and Husbands said that “each year from now on, we will hope to continue supporting the ventures that they have”.

The Red Foundation is a charitable organisation focused on building strong communities and helping people in those communities. Its mission is to mobilise people to work together to alleviate poverty, help the needy, and elevate society through community empowerment. (PR)

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The discussion which ensued on affairs pertaining to the public education system in the Well of Parliament on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 has been keenly noted by the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT). The Union's membership continues to reiterate its considerable dissatisfaction with the tone of certain passages of the dialogue.

As a teachers’ union, we have a critical role to play in stemming the increasing tide of attrition and burnout, in fighting to improve the conditions of service of our membership, and in inspiring a new generation to embrace the profession which creates all other professions.

Therefore, the BUT is compelled to respond to some of the pronouncements which remain of primary significance to the education system, education administrators and educators, and the teachers' unions.

Discussion

The current crises in education did not arrive unannounced. Neither did they suddenly materialise overnight. It took decades for us to reach this juncture.

The union submits that while there was an undeniable degree of merit in the disclosures during the exercise, we are alarmed by any utterance(s) which may serve to bring the teaching service into disrepute.

Several members of the BUT and the wider teaching fraternity provide assistance for needy students out of compassion and a humane desire to see those pupils continue to attend school regularly in order to make full use of the educational opportunities afforded.

Towards knowledge and truth

We are especially mindful of the constraints accorded by the nation's economic situation. No less are we mindful of the opportunities for at-risk children to be consumed by the allure of illicit activities. It is this social consciousness which we treat to, filling the breach and fostering a sense of hope.

Any number of educators has purchased, presently purchase and will continue to purchase school supplies for their current students as well as former students; provide drinks, breakfast items, snacks and/or lunch—at times taken from their own kitchens; donate new school uniforms, shoes, ribbons and crests; supply funds for petty fees and the Textbook Loan Scheme; print students' assignments at home where no other alternative exists; and may offer additional tuition without charge during the school year, and holidays, to the underprivileged without any ulterior motive, self-aggrandisement, attempt at self-advertisement or want for acclaim.

Therefore, many parents and guardians will recognise the contribution of teachers beyond their regular duties and responsibilities. These individuals will view the episode on Tuesday as an affront to those into whose care they assuredly entrust their children on a daily basis. Likewise, educators may tend to consider it as patent disregard of their individual and collective service.

Does education not affect our national development?

Teachers and teachers' rights

The vast array of problems cited on Tuesday is intimately familiar to a wide cross-section of current and former educators. Nonetheless, the conversation on contractual arrangements has rightfully drawn strong rebuke from our constituent body.

The union acknowledges that Cabinet Ministers may, from time to time, make by-laws or regulations that expedite the practical management of various schemes as established by Acts of Parliament. As a model employer, however, Government is obligated to take cognisance of and observe the standing of the Barbados Union of Teachers as the largest representative body of teachers.

A number of important pieces of legislation and formal agreements specifically address what may and may not be required of staff. The union notes the General Orders prescribe the areas, related to the general conditions of service of officers and employees, on which negotiations may proceed between the Government and accredited trade unions under section 10.5. The Orders also state there should be consultation with the accredited representatives of all categories of officers and employees on any proposals affecting the conditions of service of such officers and employees as per section 10.6. (The subject of the Master Teacher comes to the fore in this regard.) Rather than placing any specific category of public servants on contracts, systems can be put in place to remedy any deficiencies which may exist among workers who did not assign or appoint themselves to their various posts. Additionally, any new system of accountability and recall which is being proposed will have to encompass the entire public service (public officers and employees) as well as those responsible for the menu of national policy.

Section 18 (j) of the Education Regulations confers to the principal the authority to administer corporal punishment when necessary and delegate to the deputy principal and senior teachers, where applicable, the authority to administer corporal punishment. The Union also reminds teachers of the duty of care which we are bound to exercise.

With respect to suspected cases of abuse and assault of students, the lawful avenues for recourse were correctly and readily identified for parents during the discussion in the Well of Parliament. Most disconcertingly though, little mention was made of the rights of teachers on Tuesday. This omission prompts the union to place the following on record: within the large complex of the legal system exists a hierarchy of laws, and the importance of each law is measured by its source and by its permanence.

The Constitution of Barbados is supreme law. The fundamental rights and freedoms of every person in Barbados are enshrined in Chapter 3 of the Constitution. These rights and freedoms are protected and fully articulated by Section 11 thereof.

We applaud the call for an end to the confrontational relationship that exists between some teachers and parents at the island’s schools and the effort to discourage the occasion of threatened or actual violence. The union also places on record its frank disapproval of any conduct of a violent nature as well as any assertions which deviate from the principle of nonviolence.

However, the pronouncements encouraging parents to visit the Ministry of Education and requests for the police to do their work as it relates to matter of corporal punishment may undermine attempts to service and strengthen the relationship between parents and teachers.

Teachers are strongly urged to peruse the Education Act and Regulations so as to acquaint or reacquaint themselves with the particulars of the legislation. Of relevance are Sections 64 (disturbances at school), 64A (the search of pupils), 64B (damage to school property) and 64C (counselling and rehabilitation) of the Act.

We, however, are of the belief that several of the monetary sanctions prescribed therein do little to truly represent a deterrent. A glaring example is the $500 fine liable to be levied on summary conviction under section 64B (1).

The union will stridently oppose and resist any efforts, whether implicit or explicit, which threaten to trespass or encroach upon the civil or professional rights of teachers. We shall not remain silent where and when teachers are openly subject to victimisation or recrimination, foremost as one body.

Therefore, we underscore that any proposed changes to the existing conditions of service for teachers should not be proclaimed prior to the negotiation process being engaged and exhausted, notwithstanding the union's right to arbitration or adjudication, to the satisfaction of the parties involved. This applies to any measures directly or indirectly designed to impact upon the terms and conditions of service.

The union has also registered complaints about overcrowded schools and that there is a noted correlation between class size and discipline.

That being said, the union is mindful of its responsibilities to its membership as much as it remains cognizant of the challenges which confront teachers in general.

Studies and reports

A number of core problems and associated issues have been identified in a series of studies undertaken and reports submitted in this country over the years. These reports would have required a significant outlay of financial resources. Several of them outline expansive discussions and detailed recommendations which could well serve to address a range of the current issues facing our education system.

Some of these reports record a number of common observations. Among other things, the array of deficits known to present included: evidence of lack of implementation of recommendations; post-implementation deficiencies in monitoring systems; a lack of functional inspection and maintenance protocols; and the continually ineffective allocation of resources and personnel.

In conjunction, these factors have served to further compound the issues, frustrate teaching and learning, and stymie efforts to resolve the core issues and responses to subsequent spill-over effects.

Safety and security

A 2006 survey on violence, cited in the presentation on Violence and Indiscipline in Schools: Challenges - The Experience of Barbadian Secondary Schools (2008), submits, “The potential for tragedy is clearly and disturbingly presented in the findings of this survey. . . . One in five students has carried a weapon to school. . . and the majority of these weapons have the potential for serious or fatal injury.”

It is clear, after more than a dozen years have elapsed, that school safety and security remain matters of increasingly critical import. Indeed, the BUT regularly registers complaints regarding safety and security along with occupational safety and health matters.

Discipline

The lack of discipline is the biggest problem facing schools since the role of educational institutions cannot be discharged unless a disciplinary system is put into effect to curb deviance, violence, indiscipline and unruly behaviour. Definitive measures need to be urgently formulated, methodically evaluated, critically selected, systematically implemented and consistently monitored. Any commitment to a project of this nature will require dedicated staff and funding to service the timely generation of the statistical data necessary to inform future policy.

While the financial commitment of successive administrations to education has remained, Barbados can ill afford to maintain a system where deviant, undisciplined, unruly and violent behaviour consistently threaten the delivery of quality education.

Conclusion

The union exists in order to defend its members’ rights. We will continue to agitate for the security of tenure, adherence to the guidelines for teacher evaluation, issuance of incremental credits and allowances due, additional support staff, the provision of ancillary staff, improved school safety and security, and better facilities and equipment.

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The Transport Board needs to shed close to 300 of its staff to give it a chance at viability, but at the end of this month only 80 volunteers for separation will be pulling out of the Weymouth Headquarters for the last time.

This revelation was made by chairman of the state-owned transport service, Gregory Nicholls, who told Barbados TODAY that the 80 who opted for voluntary separation packages is about 200 short of the total number needed in order for the entity to be financially viable.

With reports of some inflexibility at the negotiation table and mere days left before the Transport Board is weaned from Central Government financing, the area of voluntary separation seems to be middle ground for the board and the workers’ bargaining agent, the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU).

“There are about 80 people who have agreed to go home voluntarily so that they can get their benefits, and that is the only thing that I think the parties are likely to agree on before the 31st of March,” said Nicholls, who noted that while the Transport Board has no gratuity policy, Government has agreed to pay this benefit to those opting for voluntary separation.

Nicholls, who is not directly involved in the negotiations, told Barbados TODAY that based on what has been reported to him, the only detail remaining to be worked out is the time-frame for the gratuity to kick in.

“The board and union still need to decide when these gratuity payments are to begin. Right now, the Transport Board, in law, is not required and was never required to pay gratuity to workers on their termination. We are one of the few, if not the only, statutory board where gratuity is not paid. So that anomaly is being rectified. Those details have to be worked out, so at the moment only the 80 or so persons will probably go home at the end of the month,” he explained.

Regarding the possible 200 additional cuts still to be made in order to balance the operation, Nicholls contended it will come down to both Government and the BWU accepting the Transport Board’s proposal.

Last week, General Secretary of the BWU Senator Toni Moore denied reports that her union and the management of the Transport Board are at a standoff in talks on a second round of layoffs at the state-run bus company.

Moore said that the negotiations, which began in January, have only dealt with the temporary layoff of bus drivers, as drivers significantly outnumber the fleet. She revealed that her union was still awaiting the board’s vision for the organisation. She said that she was not ruling out the possibility of additional workers aside from the drivers being cut, though she insisted that no such determination has been made as yet.

This morning the Transport Board chairman confirmed Moore’s position, noting that since Government had not given the green light for the additional cuts, there has been no discussion with the union on this phase of retrenchment.

“Based on the Government’s allocation to the Transport Board and the number of buses that we have available, we will have a surplus of drivers, to whom we will be obliged to pay a monthly salary. We have more workers and drivers at Transport Board than necessary. In order for Transport Board to survive under the subvention that we get, we will have to reduce the employment complement from 560 by about 300 workers.

“The Government has not approved it, so this position has not been put to the union,” he pointed out, while noting that currently it takes $60 million a year to run the public service, which only makes $20 million. colvillemounsey@barbadostoday.bb

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Two key business figures and one of the Mia Mottley administration’s leading critics are hoping that a strategy for growing the economy and lowering personal income taxes will come from the Prime Minister’s maiden Budget speech tomorrow.

In an interview with Barbados TODAY, the head of the Barbados Private Sector Association, Edward Clarke, said growth was now a critical priority for the administration, which has been focussed on austerity measures almost ten months into its term of office.

He also said while there were several issues which needed to be addressed, it was important for the Prime Minister to deliver a balanced Budget.

Clarke told Barbados TODAY: “We need to be sure that we balance this Budget to a primary surplus of six per cent as a country and it has to generate growth in the economy. The growth must be there. You cannot get that six per cent primary surplus by just getting revenue or taxation out of what is there currently.

“We need to generate growth as a country in the economy and we need to find ways to help do this. Hopefully the Prime Minister will give us some insight into some of the things that they are working on and I think that is certainly something that should be spoken about in the Budget [such as] longer term incentives for investments in the economy.

“It’s a tough job. You have a six per cent surplus so it’s not easy. You know what we went through to get a three per cent surplus this year . . . but to get another three per cent you’re talking about another $300 million out of the Budget.”

The BPSA chairman said that even as Government eyes generating more revenue, he expected a shifting of the personal income tax rate to closer to the low corporation tax rate that was set in December. At the same time he appeared to support more indirect taxation to compensate for a projected revenue fall.

He called for Government to widen its tax net, claiming some individuals were still not paying adequate taxes.

Clarke added: “There are still too many people in Barbados not paying their fair share of taxes and I would expect that Government would try to collect more taxation through indirect tax means rather than direct tax means.”

He said Government needed to offer incentives to stimulate the approximately $10 billion of savings in the banks. He also called for an ease for individuals saving for long-term retirement, particularly pensions.

But suggesting the Budget speech was mere political theatre, the leader of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Verla Depeiza sought to put emphasis on issues beyond the economy, as she called on Prime Minister Mottley to address concerns about crime.

[caption id="attachment_278389" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Verla Depeiza[/caption]

She said Barbadians needed to be reassured at what she considered to be a crucial juncture.

Depeiza told Barbados TODAY: “The reality is that the Budget is pure optics in the lives of most people. It is not going to address the difficulties that they are feeling in their lives, unless we hear that the police are getting a significant increase, [as] we didn’t see that in the Estimates.

The DLP leader said: “ I don’t know what the new plans are and Barbadians, I think, want to hear what those plans are to counteract the crime that we are feeling in our homes. The perception and the fear are real. Those are the issues that Barbadians really want to hear the Prime Minister on.”

But on what might come from the Prime Minister’s proposals, she said she would also like to see income tax rates lowered and for more details to be revealed related to the consultancy fees being paid to White Oak, the firm that has been negotiating on Barbados’ sovereign debt with creditors.

President of the Small Business Association (SBA) Wayne Willock told Barbados TODAY that he would be paying rapt attention to the fiscal measures.

He said he was hoping for measures that will provide some ease and put more disposable income back into the hands of consumers and small businesses.

[caption id="attachment_283700" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Wayne Willock[/caption]

Willock said his members could also significantly benefit from lower water rates.

The SBA president said: “There seems to be a big anomaly between corporate and private water rates which really needs some adjustments, so I am looking to hear if they will be any adjustments in that area.”

Furthermore, he’s hoping that the Mia Mottley administration will delay the introduction of VAT on online purchases, until the scheme is “properly manageable”.

Willock said: “I know it is something that may have to happen because the country is losing about $12 million in VAT because of not being able to track the VAT online. It has to be well managed.”

The SBA leader also urged Government to pay VAT and personal tax refunds by the end of 2019.

randybennett@barbadostoday.bb

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Homeowners should insure their homes and personal belongings especially in the wake of the recent spate of fires and with the hurricane season drawing near, Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson has urged.

He has told a Barbados Labour Party (BLP) constituency branch meeting that the price of homeowners’ insurance was falling. Property insurance is not mandatory.

While Hinkson added that many Barbadians insured their home as a condition of their mortgages, he added that for thousands of Barbadians, this was still not the reality.

“We know that a lot of Barbadian homeowners whether it is a wall house or chattel outside of that don’t have insurance.

“I must confess I didn’t know that homeowners’ insurance could be as low as $300 a year. That is $25 a month and the insurance companies are giving you the liberty to pay it monthly, so you don’t have to look for all $300 one time.

The St James North MP said of the situation in his riding: “We’ve had five house fires since the last election and I cry every time I look in the paper and see that a house has been destroyed. Invariably there is no insurance and everything is gone.

“It is one thing to lose all of your possessions, but on the other hand it’s worse to have no insurance to at least be able to replace those things that can be replaced by money.”

Hinkson said that with the constant threat of natural disasters, the risk of losing everything was simply too high.

He added that Government had already intensified its preparations for the coming hurricane season, revealing that plans for an increase in the number of hurricane shelters were in the pipeline along with the fortification of existing shelters.

The minister said: “We said we need more category one shelters where people can go before the hurricane if you fear that your roof may come off, or you’re old and don’t want to be by yourself.

“We are trying to prepare the QEH and are trying to put in a another major water tank, because patients are not going to be able to go anywhere.”

Hinkson said he has chaired numerous meetings with disaster preparedness officials over the last two months in the run-up to the June 1st start of the hurricane season.

He told constituents: “Whether it’s the waterworks, the police, the QEH, the ministry of public work, town planning, the ministry of tourism. Those meetings have given me the opportunity to see where they are deficiencies in operations and preparedness.

“We have been sprucing up the schools, because a high percentage of the shelters are schools so we are ensuring that the schools at least have a secure roof and other infrastructure that can protect those who may happen to go into a shelter. So we are praying at a governmental level.”

Encouraging residents to play their role in disaster preparedness, Hinkson urged: “Make sure that your property is as secure as it can be, clean drains in your neighborhood. You have a responsibility to yourself, your family and your country to do what you can do.”

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Barbadians are anxiously awaiting tomorrow’s first full Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals of the ten-month-old Barbados Labour Party (BLP) administration.

A Barbados TODAY team visited Bridgetown and its environs to sample the mood and thoughts of the average Barbadian ahead of the Budget and many persons were cautious about what they hoped to see coming from the Prime Minister.

Mary Gibson, a retired nurse said she wanted to see more nurses assigned to the Thelma Vaughn Memorial Home, the Geriatric Hospital and the Accident and Emergency Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

[caption id="attachment_292001" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Mary Gibson[/caption]

“At the Thelma Vaughn Home the children need to have more volunteers and in the Geriatric Hospital there is a need for more nurses. The medical fraternity needs to be overhauled especially in the Accident and Emergency and the polyclinics [to help] with the long waits at the hospital,” she told Barbados TODAY.

A craftsman who was plying his trade on the Chamberlain Bridge said he appreciates what the Prime Minister of Barbados is doing to turn the economy around but he would appreciate an ease in taxation when the budget is revealed tomorrow.

[caption id="attachment_292002" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Craftsman Adrian said he would like to have an ease in taxation measures.[/caption]

“A little ease would be nice to help out small businesses a little more,” he told Barbados TODAY.

Joyce Forde, on the other hand, wants an ease in her household’s water bill. She said, “I would just like to see that they lower the water bill a bit because some people are really struggling to pay the water. That is my view.”

[caption id="attachment_292000" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Joyce Forde[/caption]

However, Gloria Jack said she would like to see a more effective transportation system emerge. “I would love to have a better transport system . . . for the bus service to improve in any way they can do it,” she said.

[caption id="attachment_292003" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Gloria Jack[/caption]

Over at Green Hill,  St Michael persons remained tight-lipped about a wish list in advance of the Budget which is scheduled to start in the Lower Chamber of the House of Assembly at 3:30 p.m.

While one woman noted “Regardless of what is in the budget I still have to live with it,” another was clear that she had her hopes set on a cut in some of the expenses which confront her monthly.

Former banker Colin Roach said he would like to hear Prime Minister Mia Mottley announce that Barbados once again has its own national bank.

“What I would like to hear from the Prime Minister is when are we going to get our own national bank. I worked in three private banks and I understand the difference between private and public. All of our money is leaving these five private banks and we have no national bank to hold these billions of dollars that are leaving to help feed our infrastructure.

“We are not asking for this, we are not begging for this. You represent the people. We need a national bank,” he suggested to the country’s leadership.

Terrel Yearwood said he would like the budget to focus on manufacturing as a way to cut Barbados’ growing importation bill.

“We are not optimizing our potential in agriculture from what people would call niche products and so on. We have to get back to seeing what Barbados can produce so we can substitute the excessive importation into the country,” he said.

He added: “If we could introduce a project where we are planting more food and building more houses then I believe we could bring down the price of housing and food which are some of the major areas we spend money on,” he said.

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A sea of Barbadians and visitors witnessed His Royal Highness Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, on the Barbados leg of his tour of the Caribbean.

Just after 10 a.m. scores of onlookers lined the streets, many armed with cellphones and cameras to record a moment in history of Prince Charles on his second visit to the island in 49 years.

On the Chamberlain Bridge, onlooker Aidan Taylor witnessed the arrival of the Prince and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

[caption id="attachment_292021" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Aidan Taylor[/caption]

Taylor told Barbados TODAY: “I am here to witness this important milestone in Barbados and also to join with our Barbadian people and also the visitors from around the world especially those from the United Kingdom.”

He added he would have lined the streets for the Prince’s Royal Visit as a child so he is continuing the tradition by attending once more the heir to the Throne.

He said: “I did it as a little boy growing up in school and also in my capacity in my work at the airport. Yes, I am happy and excited because you never know what tomorrow brings. This is a very important time in our history.”

Another eyewitness, a retired soldier, said he viewed the Prince’s visit as a part of Barbadian history and culture.

He said: “I do not have a difficulty with it as it is a part of our history and a part of our culture. There are some people that don’t seem to care or like the idea of the monarchy in Barbados but we cannot get away from it as it is a part of our history and our culture and in order to go forward you have to know where you came from.”

But the retired soldier, a member of the Barbados Legion, said Barbados had nothing to lose from becoming a republic and he believes that it would be wise for Barbados to cut its ties with the monarchy once and for all.

He said: “I am not too happy about a lot of the happenings in the monarchy that have nothing to do with us and we still have our lives to live. We are a Commonwealth country, we respect the Crown but the Queen does not run any affairs in Barbados. We all in Barbados know we have a representative in the Governor General. So, if you are not going to represent the Monarchy then get rid of the Governor General. I am not either here nor there for it. I ask the question, what do we have to lose by becoming a republic as opposed to what we have to gain?”

A postal worker who wished to remain anonymous wanted to know how much the event cost the public.

“I think it is a good thing to have the Prince back here to see our living conditions and it is very nice to see the Prince here to have a good time with us. I just want to know what is the total cost of this and whose pockets is it coming out of? Most likely it is the taxpayers’ pocket it will come out of - it is a good thing still.”

For tourists who travelled from Canada, United Kingdom and the United States it was a moment in history as this was the first time they had seen the Prince of Wales in person.

For Bob and Julie Hill, the day could not have been any sweeter as Bob got an opportunity to shake the Prince’s hand.

[caption id="attachment_292018" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Bob and Julie Hill[/caption]

Speaking to Barbados TODAY just before the ceremony began, the married couple said they had come from the United Kingdom to have this intimate moment with the future King.

Julie Hill said: “It’s been 50 years since Prince Charles last came to Barbados. Last time he came he was 21. So we are really excited to be here on holiday when Charles is around here.”

Bob said he is pleased with the warm reception that Barbados has given Prince Charles on his arrival.

He said: “It’s nice to see the welcome that Barbadians have given to our future King. It is really nice let’s hope the rain keeps off him.”

American Fallon Savage said she heard last night that the Prince of Wales would be visiting the island and decided to head to the Chamberlain Bridge to witness the momentous occasion.

[caption id="attachment_292020" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Fallon Savage[/caption]

She said: “We have not travelled to Barbados before; this would be our first time. We are excited to see the entire parade with the military and to hear what he is going to say.”

Deb Beirnes, visiting from Ontario, Canada for first time, said she was excited to see a member of the Royal family in person and was looking forward to seeing the full military parade.

[caption id="attachment_292019" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Deb Beirnes[/caption]

Her friend, Barb Detweiler-Bowman, told Barbados TODAY of her excitement to see the Prince and hear the sounds of the military parade.

[caption id="attachment_292017" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Barb Detweiler-Bowman[/caption]

Just after 11 a.m, the Prince of Wales entered Heroes Square, led by a Royal Barbados Police Force mounted troop and heralded by a 21-gun salute by the the Barbados Defence Force.

The audience also cheered the arrival of Prime Minister Mia Mottley in her white suit, as crowds on the Chamberlain Bridge shouted and cheered when she mounted the dais to receive the Prime Minister’s Salute.

The armed forces then marched into the streets of the capital where Barbadians and tourists alike were entertained with versions of popular tunes from Crop Over 2018.

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Amid mounting speculation that Prime Minister Mia Mottley will announce a hike in bus fares in her administration’s first Budget, a consumer rights advocate is urging against the move, especially for privately-owned route taxis and minibuses.

According to the Director General of the Barbados Consumers Research Organization (BARCRO), Malcolm Gibbs-Taitt, it would be unfair to require taxpayers to pay for a service for which they are already funding a
significant portion of its overheads, particularly bus terminals and stops.

“It is my view that bus fares should not be increased at this time. A lot of people do not seem to understand that in running a bus service, there are a number of factors that one has to look at. There are things as simple as the planting of bus stops, putting up bus sheds and more importantly having bus terminals. To the best of my knowledge, I have never known a private concessionaire to actually put down a bus stop let alone a bus terminal. Government and its agencies do those things and those things are what our tax dollars go to,” Gibbs-Taitt told Barbados TODAY.

Last month, Minister of Transport Dr William Duguid hinted that bus fares could soon double. Contending that the current fare of $2 charged by the Transport Board and public service vehicles (PSVs) is inadequate, Duguid told the House during the Estimates Debate that an increase was coming, but could not yet determine by how much.

Duguid argued that while bus fares have not moved in the last two decades, the price of doing business had increased across the board.

The news was welcomed by the two major PSV associations, who for years have pressed for a fare hike, charging that it was impractical for them to survive on a $2 per trip fare, especially since Government subsidises the state-owned Transport Board.

But Gibbs-Taitt contends that current figures do not show an ailing public service vehicle industry, which has grown from 500 minibuses and ZRs to 800 in the last five years.

Gibbs-Taitt contended: “I have never heard of many private bus concessionaires thinking of depleting their stock because it is too expensive for them to run them.  So, it tells me that they are reasonably happy with the monies that they are making.”

He also urged Government to bear in mind that it was only last year that public servants had received their first pay increase in a decade, and that the working class was in no position to bear additional burdens.

He continued: “People did not receive wages and salary increase for a full ten years. I therefore cannot bring myself to even suggest that any increase in bus fare can be a good thing at this time. I understand that the economic state of the country is not good but if you increase bus fares then poor people simply cannot afford it.”
colvillemounsey@barbadostoday.bb

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Yet another team has thrown its hat into the ring for the National Union of Public Workers’ upcoming elections.

During a press conference at the NUPW’s Dalkeith headquarters this afternoon, Verrol Scott signalled his intention to challenge Akanni McDowall for the post of president when the union elects a new executive on
April 3.

The news follows a recent announcement by current first vice-president Fabian Jones of his plans to also run for president.

The rest of the executive contenders include Daria Cave, who will be running for first vice-president; David Denny who will contest the position of second vice-president; third vice-president hopeful Edsel Mayers; and Izola Waithe, who will stand for treasurer with Kenmore Dash as deputy treasurer.

Scott told the media that his team’s campaign slogan, Engine for Change, spoke to the need for new leadership.

[caption id="attachment_292026" align="aligncenter" width="600"] From left, Edsel Mayers, David Denny, Daria Cave, Verrol Scott, Izola Waithe and Kenmore Dash during today’s press conference.[/caption]

In an apparent reference to the ongoing public feud between ailing NUPW general secretary Roslyn Smith and McDowall, Scott said the tussle was bringing much pain to the union’s membership.

“The ebbs are so severe on our members that to my mind it is threatening the very existence of the union. This situation is very disturbing and this team felt like we had to do something about it.

“We decided that in order to cushion the severe impact of these austerity measures that are now facing our members, which is now and which we have good reason to believe will continue into the future, what we felt we needed to do was to create a safe space or a family space,” Scott told reporters.

Scott, who has served on the executive council for over 35 years, said that if elected, the new executive would change the union’s constitution.

Scott said this would be done to ensure union officers would not be allowed to abuse their power or the union’s financial resources.

He also campaigned to introduce a “medical and health care unit”, as well as a “professional development centre”, which would be used to increase the efficiency of its members who work in the public service.

Scott also revealed there were plans for a “human development centre” to help take care of aging members and a buying and selling club to encourage entrepreneurship.

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Pomp, pageantry and a packed schedule, marked the one-day visit here of the future King of this Commonwealth realm, almost 50 years after his first trip to Barbados.

Today’s official visit of Their Royal Highnesses Charles, the Prince of Wales, and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, kicked off with the Prince meeting Governor General Dame Sandra Mason and Prime Minister Mia Mottley at Government House.

[caption id="attachment_292032" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Prince Charles (centre) engaging in a conversation with Governor General Dame Sandra Mason (left), as they along with his wife Camilla (right), make their way from Heroes Square over to Parliament.[/caption]

The dignitaries then headed to Heroes Square, where hundreds of Barbadians and visitors gathered to witness a wreath-laying ceremony at the nation’s war memorial, the presentation of colours, a meet and greet session with members of the public, all preceeded by a 21-gun salute.

Prince Charles told those gathered of his delight in presenting to the Coast Guard its ceremonial colours 38 years after his mother, Her Majesty the Queen approved the white ensign under which the Coast Guard’s vessels sail.

It was on February 27 1981 that Queen Elizabeth approved the ensign, the red George Cross emblazoned on a white background with the Broken Trident in miniature in the top left corner.

Prince Charles said: “As you young men and women march off the square today, with your new colours, I express my confidence in the Barbados Coast Guard and the Cadet Corps, that you will carry these newly presented colours with pride, and this confidence is more than justified.

“For 40 years, you have demonstrated with honour, your commitment, professionalism and dedication to service both locally and regionally, during your period of service to Her Majesty the Queen. In receiving your new colours, you would not only be honoring your country, but also the men and women you now so proudly follow.”

Some onlookers had the opportunity to greet the Royal visitors before they walked to Parliament for a courtesy call on Prime Minister Mottley as Head of Government.

[caption id="attachment_292029" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Prime Minister Mia Mottley (left) and the royal guests stand at ease as the National Anthem was played.[/caption]

Again Prince Charles shook hands and had brief conversations with onlookers who lined the street as he made his way to the Nidhe Synagogue, historically known as one of the oldest synagogues in the Western Hemisphere, dating back to 1654.

[caption id="attachment_292030" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Prince of Wales, Charles and Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla greet well wishers on the Chamberlain Bridge.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_292031" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Prince Charles (right) laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in Heroes Square, as the Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force Colonel Glyne Grannum, looks on.[/caption]

He was greeted at the synagogue by real estate magnate Sir Paul Altman, a prominent member of the Jewish community who led the restoration of the historic place of worship.

During her time on the island, the Duchess of Cornwall visited the Derrick Smith School and Vocational Centre, and the Maria Holder Diabetes Centre.

At the school, designed to support the social, academic, physical, emotional and developmental needs of adolescents and adults with developmental delays, several officials, including Minister of Finance Ryan Straughn and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education Dr Romel Springer, greeted the Duchess.

While at Derrick Smith, the Duchess was invited to cut a Commonwealth Big Lunch celebratory cake, baked by the students of the culinary workshop. She was also presented with a gift box made by the woodwork students.

At the Maria Holder Diabetes Centre, Camilla unveiled a plaque and met with patients.

Over at the Garrison Savannah, Charles observed a field hospital and a disaster response demonstration. The prince has a special interest in disaster preparedness. He visited the Leewards Islands in the wake of hurricane devastation two years ago.

He was greeted by Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force, Colonel Glyne Grannum, Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, Colin Jordan, and the BDF’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rene Best.

At Ilaro Court, the official residence of the nation’s first female prime minister, the Duchess of Cornwall attended a Women of the World Think-In, joined by Prime Minister Mottley and Dame Billie Miller, among other distinguished Barbadian women.

The elderly residents of the Soroptomist Village in Eden Lodge, met the Prince who got a brief insight into its work.

He also attended a reception for the Prince’s Trust charity at the Coral Reef Club in St James where he was greeted by American singer-songwriter Lionel Richie.

It was then announced that Richie, the 69-year-old, four-time Grammy award-winner is to be the Global Ambassador for the international outreach programme which develops at-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 25 years, through education, employment and entrepreneurship.

The Prince, the Prime Minister and the pop star, spent some time getting to know some of the members of the programme.

The packed day ended with their Royal Highnesses attending the Governor General’s reception at Government House.

Prince Charles first came to Barbados in October 1970 to open the National Stadium, barely a year after he was formally vested with the title of Prince of Wales as heir apparent.

Should Charles become King, he would be the fourth future King to have touched down on Barbadian soil over 233 years.

Nearly 100 years ago, David, Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII for a brief period, landed at the then British colony as part of a global tour in 1920.

The beloved King George V, visited twice, on Christmas Day 1879 and January 1884, when he was Prince George Frederick.

The first visit of a Prince of Wales was by Prince William Henry, later King William IV. Prince William Henry Street was renamed as it was said to be first landmark when he landed here on November 24 1786.
anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb

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Close to a year after Government abolished the contentious National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL), which saw the price of goods go up by ten per cent, one consumer rights advocate is concerned that retail prices are yet to go back down.

According to the Director General of the Barbados Consumers Research Organization (BARCRO), Malcolm Gibbs-Taitt, there is no evidence that prices in supermarkets and other retail stores have gone down to reflect the removal of the tax.

“It seems that some people think that although Government put a stop to the tax, they can keep the prices in the stores and supermarkets the same and no one will notice. The prices have never come down to show that the tax was removed,” Gibbs-Taitt complained.

Since Prime Minister Mia Mottley removed the levy in June during her mini Budget, businesses have maintained that it would take some time before it is reflected in the prices on the shelf, as old stock had to be first sold. However, the BARCRO head is adamant that more than enough time has passed for merchants to make the adjustment. He also charged that this was typical behaviour of many within the business sector.

“It is similar to what obtains when the price of fuel on the world market goes up. They tell you that they have to increase the price of their food items because the cost of transportation has gone up.  However, when the price of fuel decreases far below what it was before, you never see those prices on food items reduced. These merchants can’t have their cake and eat it too because sooner or later there will be no cake,” he warned.

Gibbs-Taitt also argued that the ban on single use plastics should also result in some savings for the consumer, especially at the supermarket. He pointed out that supermarkets factor in the price of plastic bags in the cost of the groceries. The consumer rights advocate further noted that even though some have already stopped using plastic bags in their stores, there has been no reduction in prices.

“Come April 1, we are told that there would be no plastic bags issued and there are some stores who already stopped the issuing of plastic bags. To my knowledge these supermarkets put the price of those plastic bags in the price of their groceries. I am yet to see prices reduced on those items in those stores that have already stopped using plastic bags. Again, the merchants believe that they can get away with this,” he lamented.

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Nurses at the Sir Winston Scott polyclinic walked off the job this morning venting their frustration with security arrangements at the Jemmotts Lane, St Michael facility.

The workers are currently meeting with management, representatives of the National Union of Public Workers and Senator Caswell Franklyn, the general secretary of Unity Workers’ Union.

(more details as they come to hand.)

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Police are currently on the scene of a stabbing incident at Gall Hill, Christ Church.

(more details as they come to hand.)

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A man is in police custody following a fatal stabbing incident in Christ Church this morning.

Police spokesman Sergeant Michael Blackman has identified the victim as Edward Chase, 34, of Lower Crescent, Gall Hill, Christ Church.

According to Blackman, around 11:30 a.m. officers at the Oistins Police Station received a report of a stabbing incident along Gall Hill main road. Upon arrival they discovered the lifeless body of Chase lying in a pool of blood.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Oistins Police Station at 418-2612, Police Emergency 211 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477.

[video width="640" height="352" mp4="https://barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/INNISS.mp4"][/video]

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Prime Minister Mia Mottley this evening announced that from July 1 individuals owed personal income tax refunds for years 2011- 2016 will receive up to $1,000 in cash.

She told Parliament eligible taxpayers will have to fill out a simple form on the Barbados Revenue Authority website.

The Prime Minister noted that this one-off payment is expected to cost the Government $39 million, but she stressed that the payment will help to put cash into the pockets of Barbadians and ensure that the Government's debt reduction targets remain on track.

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The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training has advised that the St Bartholomew’s Primary School at Parish Land, Christ Church, will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, March 21.

This is to allow for industrial cleaning to be carried out at the school, following a nearby bush fire today which spewed ash onto the compound.

The Ministry thanks parents and guardians for their understanding in this matter. (BGIS)

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Busfares in Barbados have increased to $3.50, Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced tonight in her budget presentation.

However, school children, senior citizens and police officers will continue to travel on buses for free.

Mottley however assured that members of the public who rely heavily on public transport will benefit from discounts.

“Frequent commuters will have the choice of purchasing discounted weekly or monthly passes and transfers. The details of these additional options will be released within the next week,’’ she said.

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