A proposed convenience fee by bill payment processor SurePay (Barbados) has ignited a significant consumer rights debate, drawing scrutiny from the nation’s fair trade regulator. Effective March 16, the company plans to implement a VAT-inclusive 30-cent charge on all over-the-counter cash and cheque bill payments, a move it attributes to escalating operational costs associated with handling physical currency and processing cheques.
The Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network (BCEN) has formally petitioned the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) to conduct a comprehensive review of the fee’s fairness, necessity, and proportionality. BCEN Executive Chair Maureen Holder articulated deep concerns that the seemingly nominal charge would disproportionately impact vulnerable demographics, including seniors, low-income households, and individuals with limited digital access. Holder emphasized that for these groups, counter services are not a premium convenience but an essential utility, and layering additional fees exacerbates existing financial strains from rising living costs.
In response to inquiries, FTC Chief Executive Officer Brian Reece confirmed the agency’s awareness of the emerging situation but declined to comment on any potential regulatory action. Reece stated the commission must first be guided by thoroughly grounded facts and legal principles before making any determination on the merits of the case.
The controversy highlights a broader tension between national digitalization efforts and financial inclusivity. BCEN argues that penalizing in-person transactions creates a discriminatory two-tier system, effectively charging a premium for essential services to those who are least able to transition to digital platforms. This, they contend, runs counter to national goals of financial inclusion and consumer protection. The central demand from consumer advocates is for absolute transparency: a clear justification for the fee’s necessity, evidence that alternative cost-saving measures were explored, and safeguards against the gradual accumulation of small charges that incrementally increase the cost of living.