Barbados: Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley assured workers that Government would come to their aid while delivering her address at the 54th Independence Day Parade and National awards ceremony held in Heroes Square, Barbados on December 1, 2020.
Prime Minister added that her Government would not leave their people standing roadside and indicated the Government would pursue the business owners who owe money to the National Insurance Scheme.
Her remarks come following a series of demonstrations from workers in the tourism sector as well as private sector over the past couple of weeks, driving to Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, Colin Jordan openly beckoning for better industrial associations.
Prime Minister Mottley asserted that the island’s industrial relationships have always remained “stable” and emphasised that this should not switch.
“We must not at this step of our development, not even for COVID, war or any persistence lose sight of how we do things and how we do business in this nation. It has been a symbol that allows others to keep us in high regard and we must not mislay that at this time,” she stated.
Mottley kept on to affirm that Government will extend their support to workers and guarantee that they are paid their dues.
“I ask those who believe that they are threatened or they are negotiated to acknowledge that this Government will not leave you abandoned, will not leave you without a voice . . . even if it indicates that we must stand in the breach by the terms of severance to those who have been left out by, their companies. Rest affirmed, we shall do so without blinking an eye yet we shall evenly retrieve the funds of the National Insurance Scheme from each missed paying the 75 percent of the severance due to each and every worker,” she insisted.
During her speech, Prime Minister Mia Mottley also praised frontline workers for their valuable and selfless offerings this year. She asserted that Barbados’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic displayed the value of community and unity.
She further added that the year 2020 was intended to be an entirely different year, but 2020 enabled Barbados to achieve that final vision of individually just not in the way they anticipated and opposite that past the saw Barbadians from all stations in life rise to the opportunity to be able to face what will now be regarded as one of those global historical times that has described how humanity sees itself and is capable of moving forth.
“We must now acknowledge that this has absolutely taken a village to not certainly to build the country but also to preserve the nation,” Mottley said.
She continued by reiterating her commitment that when a COVID-19 vaccine is accessible, it will be free of charge to the people.
“We are not pricing people for the vaccines because this is who we are. Because the health of our people in this nation decides the overall wellness and prosperity of this country.”
