The strength of Barbados’ Social Partnership was reaffirmed yesterday, following discussions to determine the way forward under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Freundel Stuart at Government Headquarters.
Emerging from the meeting it was agreed by members of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB), representatives of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and of the private sector, that there would be a more results-oriented Social Partnership going forward.
“There needs to be less attention to form and more attention given to the function in the working of the Social Partnership,” Mr. Stuart stated.
He added that there was a general commitment by all parties to “roll up their sleeves” and come up with analyses on burning issues facing society in an effort to develop meaningful solutions.
All present encouraged the continued participation of the BWU in subcommittee meetings, and its input in the drafting of Protocol Seven of the Social Partnership.
Wednesday’s meeting was set to review the present structure of the Social Partnership and its administrative process as set out in the protocols, and to determine the way forward in the context of the drafting process for the new Protocol.
Those in attendance included Minister of Labour, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo; Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Darcy Boyce; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Patrick Todd; CTUSAB President, Cedric Murrell; CTUSAB General Secretary, Dennis DePeiza; BWU General Secretary, Toni Moore; former General Secretary, Sir Roy Trotman; and Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association, Alex McDonald.
