分类： society

Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) workers in Barbados are set to receive a significant pay increase following the implementation of an updated performance incentive plan. This development comes after months of unrest and dissatisfaction among employees, who had criticized the previous payment structure as unfair. Richard Greene, General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), confirmed the news, stating that the retroactive payments for the July to September quarter will be disbursed promptly once all necessary assessments are completed. The decision marks a positive shift in labor relations, particularly after garbage collectors staged a wildcat strike in July to protest inadequate payments and poor working conditions. At the time, performance targets were only 34% met, yet management approved discretionary payments, which workers deemed insufficient. The strike led to halted refuse collection services, causing widespread concern across the island. However, Greene revealed that SSA management has now agreed to increase workers’ pay, a move welcomed by the NUPW. He highlighted improvements in performance metrics and a growing awareness among workers about the incentive plan. While specific figures for the pay raise were not disclosed, Greene noted a ‘marked increase’ in payments. The retroactive payments for the July-September quarter are expected soon, with future payments to follow the updated incentive plan. Greene also emphasized the union’s commitment to educating workers about the plan to ensure continued progress. During the July strike, workers reported receiving varying incentive payments, ranging from $100 to $700, which sparked further discontent. SSA spokesman Carl Padmore acknowledged that the strike was a response to dissatisfaction with the performance incentive allowance, which was introduced to motivate workers but fell short of its targets. Despite the 34% performance rate, management approved payments as a goodwill gesture to boost morale and productivity. Workers also raised concerns about personal protective equipment and back pay issues, which remain unresolved.

Senior law enforcement officials from across the Caribbean have successfully concluded an intensive training program focused on evidence-based investigations and human rights. The initiative, organized under the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) PACE Justice Programme, was hosted at the Regional Security System (RSS) headquarters in Paragon, Christ Church. The five-day workshop, attended by approximately 40 high-ranking officers from ten Caribbean nations, was a collaborative effort involving the UNDP, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the RSS, the European Union (EU) Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), and the EU Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

The training curriculum emphasized advanced investigative techniques, forensic documentation, evidence collection, and the application of modern investigative tools. This initiative is part of a broader regional strategy to enhance police professionalism, improve case management, and foster public trust in the justice system. It addresses critical gaps identified in UNDP assessments, particularly in crime scene handling and investigative case building, which are essential for strengthening Caribbean justice systems.

Timothy Maynard, Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Attorney General, underscored the importance of the training, stating, ‘Police investigation is the foundation of any effective justice system. Public confidence in justice begins with the integrity and professionalism of police investigations. This training is crucial to ensuring justice is people-centred — accessible, responsive, and inclusive.’ Assistant Superintendent Cecil Watson of the RSS highlighted the program’s structured mentorship component, which provides tailored guidance to address the unique complexities of national cases and specific country needs. He added that the initiative aligns with broader regional efforts to elevate policing standards, enhance justice delivery, and build resilient law enforcement institutions.

Alessandro Tedesco, the EU attaché for security, justice, and human rights, emphasized the EU’s commitment to supporting Caribbean law enforcement, describing the presence of European trainers as ‘a tangible sign of the EU’s dedication to fostering justice reform through collaboration.’ Limya Eltayeb, UNDP resident representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, praised the initiative as ‘a powerful example of what can be achieved through regional and international cooperation.’ She noted that the training is part of the PACE Justice Programme’s comprehensive reform agenda, which includes technology upgrades, legislative support, and peer learning to modernize justice delivery and strengthen institutions across the Caribbean.