The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) has issued a stark warning that the nation’s economic recovery will remain incomplete unless workers see tangible benefits from growth. CTUSAB President Ryan Phillips emphasized this during a press conference on Wednesday, as the organization assessed progress under the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) programme, backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). While acknowledging BERT’s successes in areas like employment recovery, macroeconomic stability, and climate resilience, Phillips stressed that economic growth alone is insufficient if workers do not share in its rewards. He highlighted ongoing challenges such as stagnant wages, high living costs, and financial strains on state-owned enterprises. Phillips argued for wage increases tied to productivity, stronger social protection systems, and greater worker involvement in policy-making. He also raised concerns about the exodus of skilled Barbadians seeking opportunities abroad, warning that this talent drain threatens job security and national competitiveness. Prime Minister Mia Mottley recently noted that while the formal IMF arrangement under BERT is ending, the government will continue structural reforms, keeping the IMF engaged for future collaboration. Phillips outlined six priorities for the next phase of recovery: sustainable job creation, enhanced social protection, worker participation in policy implementation, equitable economic gains, skills development, and addressing the high cost of living. He urged policymakers to prioritize people in the nation’s economic strategy, declaring, ‘Economic recovery without social justice is incomplete.’ The BERT programme, launched in 2018 to address a severe debt crisis, has evolved through phases focusing on fiscal consolidation, green transformation, and now ‘shock-proofing’ Barbados against climate volatility and supply chain instability.