Barbados is experiencing a troubling divergence between economic indicators and social deterioration, according to a stark warning from the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations (CTUSAB). In his annual Christmas address, General Secretary Dennis de Peiza presented a sobering assessment of the nation’s condition as 2025 approaches, highlighting that developmental achievements are being undermined by escalating social crises.
The labor leader identified multiple concerning trends including a dramatic surge in violent crime, with firearms becoming the weapon of choice in a growing number of homicides and assaults. Particularly alarming is the increasing participation of teenagers and young adults in criminal enterprises, signaling deep societal fractures.
Transportation systems have become emblematic of broader disciplinary breakdowns, with de Peiza criticizing the continued indifference of minibus and ZR/route taxi operators that authorities have failed to address. Educational institutions are similarly affected, experiencing erosion of order and discipline while children increasingly embrace subcultures contrary to traditional societal values.
A visible homelessness crisis has emerged alongside rising poverty, destitution, and underemployment—conditions that contradict official reports of strong government revenues and low unemployment rates. This disparity raises fundamental questions about economic distribution and social policy effectiveness.
At the governance level, de Peiza noted persistent concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and integrity in public office, contributing to diminished public trust. He challenged citizens to engage in serious introspection during the Christmas season, asking each individual to consider their role in both creating and solving national problems.
The union leader emphasized that meaningful change requires collective action and unity rather than division, warning that silence and complacency would only exacerbate existing challenges. He urged Barbadians to reclaim their value system, speak against injustice, and resist superficial contemporary values while reflecting on the deeper significance of the Christmas season.