标签： Barbados

Disability rights advocate Felicia Inniss has called for significant reforms to support parents raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Speaking at the St James Ideas Forum town hall meeting at Frederick Smith Secondary School, Inniss emphasized the need for extended maternity and paternity leave, as well as enhanced community-based support systems. She argued that traditional leave policies are inadequate for parents of children with complex needs, who often face psychological and financial challenges. Inniss highlighted the lack of daycare facilities willing to accommodate children with disabilities, making it nearly impossible for parents to return to work within the standard leave period. She also pointed out the scarcity of developmental pediatricians in Barbados, with only one currently serving the island, and urged the government to improve access to assessments and therapeutic services. Drawing from her personal experience as a parent of a child with a disability, Inniss stressed the importance of creating supervised housing for adults with disabilities to ensure their well-being after their parents pass away. She proposed community-based respite programs, likening them to foster care, to provide temporary relief for families. Inniss concluded by emphasizing the need for compassionate, people-centered solutions rather than focusing solely on infrastructure.

With the imminent implementation of full free movement between Barbados and three other CARICOM states, the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) is advocating for a binding regional protocol to safeguard the rights of migrant workers. CTUSAB President Ryan Phillips emphasized the urgent need for enforceable standards to prevent wage suppression and exploitation, stating, “The freedom of movement within the Caribbean must be addressed with clarity and resolve. While the region benefits from shared human capital and collective growth, coherent integration policies, proper labour documentation, and enforcement of social protections are essential.” Phillips made these remarks during CTUSAB’s mid-term delegates’ conference, titled *A Shared Vision for a Stronger Tomorrow: Through Change and Increased Dialogue*, held at the Seventh-Day Adventist Conference Centre. He also highlighted unresolved issues in the public sector, including the non-payment of overtime to nurses, uniform allowances, and the reinstatement of leave for teachers. Phillips called on the government to honor its commitments comprehensively, stressing that these benefits are crucial to workers’ dignity and productivity. Additionally, he criticized CTUSAB’s exclusion from key decision-making bodies, such as those overseeing immigration, education reform, and climate transition, urging for substantial labor representation in shaping Barbados’ future.

Authorities are currently investigating a devastating road accident that resulted in the death of 25-year-old motorcyclist Reon Dottin from Drax Hall Tenantry, St. George. The incident took place on Wednesday evening at approximately 6:48 p.m. along Haggatt Hall Road in St. Michael, involving a bus, a van, and Dottin’s motorcycle.

Kerrie Symmonds, Member of Parliament for St James Central, has issued a stern warning against prioritizing tourism development at the expense of community livelihoods and public access in Holetown, St James. Addressing attendees at the St James Ideas Forum town hall meeting held at Frederick Smith Secondary School on Wednesday evening, Symmonds emphasized the need to address long-standing concerns over diminishing beach access for locals and the proposed redevelopment of the civic centre site.

Symmonds, who also serves as Barbados’ Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, revealed that he could no longer remain silent on the matter. ‘I felt a duty to speak out, as I have publicly remained quiet until now,’ he stated. ‘Being a senior member of the Cabinet, it’s challenging to publicly dissent from collective decisions. Therefore, much of the dialogue and negotiation must occur behind closed doors.’

He underscored the importance of balancing investment with community coexistence, stressing that development projects must not alienate or exclude local residents. ‘We must find a way to harmonize the Barbadian community with investment efforts. One cannot overshadow the other,’ Symmonds asserted. He pointed to examples in the Caribbean, such as Jamaica, where similar issues have led to division and tension. ‘This has never been the ethos of Barbados. Such scenarios breed discomfort, disquiet, and sometimes even hostility, which are contrary to our values.’

Disability rights advocate Felicia Inniss has called for significant policy changes to support parents raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Speaking at the St James Ideas Forum town hall meeting held at Frederick Smith Secondary School on Wednesday night, Inniss emphasized the need for extended maternity and paternity leave, as well as enhanced community-based support systems. She highlighted the unique challenges faced by these families, urging policymakers to address their specific needs. Inniss welcomed the recent introduction of paternity leave but stressed that more must be done to assist parents of children with disabilities. She proposed that parents of children with severe intellectual impairments, diagnosed at birth, should be granted extended leave to better manage their circumstances. Traditional leave policies, she argued, often fall short for families with children requiring complex care. Inniss explained that the emotional and financial toll on these parents is immense, particularly in single-parent households where income may cease entirely. She emphasized the necessity of psychological support and extended leave to ensure parents can adequately care for their children without sacrificing their mental well-being. Inniss concluded by urging society to reevaluate its approach to supporting these families, highlighting the profound mental and emotional impact of raising a child with disabilities.

A violent shooting incident unfolded on Wednesday evening in Christ Church, leaving two men injured and prompting an urgent police investigation. The attack took place at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Canevale Crescent, where a group of individuals had congregated. Witnesses reported that two assailants, clad in dark clothing, approached the gathering and unleashed a barrage of gunfire. The victims sustained injuries during the assault and were swiftly transported to Queen Elizabeth Hospital via a private vehicle, where they are currently receiving medical treatment. Authorities from the Oistins Police Station have launched a thorough investigation into the incident, appealing to the public for assistance. Individuals with any information or those who may have witnessed the event are encouraged to contact the Oistins Police Station at 418-2612 or 418-2604, the Police Emergency line at 211, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477. The community remains on edge as law enforcement works to uncover the motives behind the attack and apprehend the perpetrators.

Barbadian women continue to shoulder the majority of caregiving, work, and social responsibilities, despite decades of advancements in gender equality, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey stated on Tuesday. Speaking at the 30th anniversary commemoration of the Beijing Declaration at United Nations House in Christ Church, Humphrey highlighted the enduring gender disparities in Barbados. Between July 1 and September 15, the Welfare Department issued 2,478 back-to-school cheques totaling $1.62 million to assist children, with over 95% of applications submitted by women. These figures underscore not only financial needs but also the persistent imbalance in responsibilities between men and women. “Women bear a disproportionate share of daily burdens, especially during crises,” Humphrey emphasized. He stressed the necessity of data-driven solutions to address these inequities, referencing the ongoing country assessment of living conditions, which will inform a new poverty line by early 2026, and the planned establishment of the Social Empowerment Agency to enhance social service delivery. Humphrey also linked gender inequality to climate challenges, noting that women are disproportionately affected by climate disasters. “Eighty percent of those displaced by climate disasters are women and girls,” he said, warning that the climate crisis exacerbates existing inequities. Isiuwa Iyahen, head of UN Women’s Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean, echoed the call for action, recalling Caribbean women’s historical struggles against systemic barriers. Despite significant progress, disparities persist. Barbadian women earn 86-87% of men’s wages, and up to half of women with partners experience intimate-partner violence. Women also perform two to three times more unpaid care work than men, limiting their economic opportunities. “Laws alone are insufficient—financing, implementation, and cultural change are urgently needed,” Iyahen concluded.

Barbadian youth aspiring to build careers in construction and automotive repair have received a significant boost with the introduction of over $4,000 in new scholarships. This initiative stems from two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed between the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI) and local industry leaders Nirvana Construction Inc. and Automotive Art. The agreements, formalized on Tuesday at SJPI’s Wildey campus, aim to provide targeted financial support to students enrolled in masonry and motor vehicle engineering programmes. Nirvana Construction has pledged a $500 scholarship for students from Parkinson Memorial Secondary School entering the Certificate in Masonry programme. Eligible applicants must be Barbadian citizens aged 16 to 18 and submit a recommendation from a school official or coach. Steven Hinds, Managing Director of Nirvana Construction and an SJPI alumnus, emphasized the company’s dedication to youth development and the skilled trades. “We are big on young people. Being in the construction industry, we decided that we need to advance our skilled artisans,” he stated. Meanwhile, Automotive Art will award ten $400 scholarships to continuing students in the Motor Vehicle Engineering Technology and Vehicle Body Repair programmes. Jamon White, General Manager of Automotive Art, described the initiative as a small yet impactful investment in the nation’s future workforce. SJPI Principal Ian Drakes expressed enthusiasm for the partnerships, highlighting their role in making technical and vocational education more accessible. “These are exciting times, and they continue with corporate Barbados entrusting us to keep our technical vocational education going in a very positive and dynamic way,” Drakes remarked. These scholarships align with broader national efforts to attract and qualify more young Barbadians in skilled trades, particularly in construction and auto care. For further details, interested individuals can visit www.sjpi.edu.bb or contact SJPI Guidance Officer Shawna Carter at 246-836-7687. Applications close on September 30.