Amid parliamentary deliberations on Barbados’ Economic Diversification and Growth Fund Bill, the Human Resource Management Association of Barbados (HRMAB) has emphasized the critical need for equitable distribution of high-level management positions for local professionals. HRMAB President Tisha Peters, while acknowledging her organization’s ongoing review of the proposed legislation, articulated concerns that workforce implications risk being overshadowed by broader economic and political debates.
The proposed legislation, which allocates $225 million from the Consolidated Fund over three years, aims to attract qualifying international companies that commit to creating substantial employment opportunities domestically. To qualify, enterprises must demonstrate significant offshore presence while pledging to generate at least 100 sustainable jobs for Barbadians maintained over seven years, alongside compliance with national tax obligations.
Peters specifically highlighted the association’s focused interest on ensuring that forthcoming hotel developments and investment projects incorporate balanced representation of local and expatriate talent across all organizational tiers. “The focus should prioritize an equitable mix of domestic and international expertise at every employment level,” Peters stated. “We must see Barbadian managers advancing into leadership roles—without these opportunities, we cannot achieve genuine equitable distribution.”
This position emerges against a backdrop of scholarly and professional skepticism. Notable critics including economist Jeremy Stephen, Professor Troy Lorde, Professor Don Marshall, and attorney Tricia Watson have questioned the bill’s capacity to drive meaningful economic diversification. Watson particularly warned against potential inequities stemming from insufficient oversight mechanisms for local workforce inclusion.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley has addressed transparency concerns by committing to regulatory requirements mandating ministerial accountability to Parliament when deviating from advisory committee recommendations. This amendment seeks to strengthen governance frameworks while maintaining the bill’s core objective of stimulating foreign exchange earnings and sustainable economic growth through monitored private sector investments.
The ongoing discourse reflects deeper tensions between foreign investment attraction and domestic capacity building, positioning workforce equity as a pivotal component in Barbados’ economic development strategy.