标签： Barbados

The Employment Rights Tribunal in Barbados experienced a temporary pause in proceedings on Thursday due to the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) failing to submit a crucial witness statement on time. The case, brought by former Waste Water Unit Manager Patricia Inniss, alleges unfair dismissal during a retrenchment exercise in January 2019 under then-General Manager Keithroy Halliday. The delay was caused by the late filing of a statement by BWA’s acting CEO, Christopher Mapp, prompting the tribunal to suspend the session briefly to decide on its admissibility. BWA’s attorney, Gregory Nicholls, acknowledged the procedural breach but urged the tribunal to consider the utility company’s prior compliance with all orders. The tribunal ultimately admitted Mapp’s statement after Inniss’ attorney, Dr. Lenda Blackman, raised no objections but requested time to review its contents. The tribunal chair issued a four-part order, including admitting Mapp’s statement, allowing Inniss to compare it with Halliday’s withdrawn statement, and setting a new trial date for January 13, 2026. The chair emphasized the need to avoid further delays, reminding all parties of the case’s prolonged history since 2019. The tribunal panel also included trade unionist Frederick Forde and HR consultant Dr. Hensley Sobers. Both Inniss and Mapp were present at the hearing.

The High Court has dismissed a scheduled hearing related to an ongoing dispute between intervenors in the Barbados Light and Power Company (BLPC) rate review and the Fair Trading Commission (FTC), citing a procedural error in the filing process. The hearing, which was set for November 11, 2025, was intended to address whether the FTC could compel BLPC to release its financial reports following the commission’s February 2023 rate review decision. However, the court discovered that no formal application had been properly filed, rendering the hearing unnecessary. Senior Counsel Hal Gollop, representing intervenor Ricky Went and his team, had previously filed a complaint against the FTC for refusing to mandate the release of BLPC’s financial documents. The FTC, represented by Senior Counsel Alrick Scott, maintained that the rate review process was concluded and that it lacked the statutory authority to enforce the release of the reports. The issue came to light when Scott informed the court that BLPC had not been served with any notice of application, and further investigation revealed that only written submissions, not a formal application, had been filed. The intervenors argue that access to BLPC’s financial data is crucial for assessing the impact on ratepayers before the FTC’s final ruling on the appeal. They emphasize the importance of transparency and public trust in the regulatory process. Despite their arguments, the FTC has reiterated its stance, stating that it will not comply with the request without a clear statutory basis.

A prominent youth development advocate has issued a compelling plea for the urgent reform of the youth justice system, citing alarming findings from a recent study. Shawn Clarke, CEO of Supreme Counselling for Personal Development, emphasized the need for systemic change in response to research conducted by the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit (CJRPU). The study, presented by Senior Research Analyst Kirt Goodridge at the Courtyard Marriott, revealed that the current youth justice framework is excessively punitive and ineffective, trapping young men in a cycle of violence, incarceration, and reoffending. The research focused on 47 young men under 25 on remand for violent crimes, with 91% aged between 19 and 25. Most had prior encounters with the law, highlighting systemic failures in rehabilitation and discipline. Clarke expressed deep concern over the findings, stating that they were not surprising but deeply troubling. He attributed the issues to a combination of neglect, broken homes, trauma, and an education system that often abandons at-risk youth prematurely. Clarke argued that by the time these young people enter the justice system, they have already been failed by multiple institutions. He called for a shift from punishment-heavy interventions to community-based rehabilitation and early intervention initiatives that address the root causes of problematic behavior. Clarke also highlighted the limitations of sports as a crime prevention tool, advocating for mandatory life skills training, counselling, and therapy to complement such programs. He urged authorities to invest in identifying and supporting at-risk students before they enter the justice system, emphasizing the importance of early intervention to prevent future legal issues. Clarke’s proposals include mandatory counselling and skills development for young people exhibiting problematic behavior, such as bullying, to address psychological challenges and foster positive development.

For the first time in a decade, Barbados experienced a September without a single gun-related homicide, according to the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit. This unprecedented lull in deadly shootings, which analysts attribute to heightened police patrols, was short-lived as murders surged again in October. Senior Research Analyst Kirt Goodridge highlighted the significance of this development in an interview with Barbados TODAY, noting that September is traditionally a quiet month for homicides, averaging three per year over the past decade. However, this year marked a stark departure from the norm, with zero reported gun deaths in September. Goodridge suggested that increased police presence in high-risk neighborhoods may have contributed to this temporary decline, though he cautioned that such measures are not sustainable in the long term. Official statistics reveal a fluctuating trend in gun-related deaths over the years, with 2025 recording 40 fatal shootings so far, compared to 34 in 2024. The Barbados Police Service had intensified surveillance in June, labeling the rise in gun violence as ‘domestic terrorism’ and vowing to dismantle criminal networks. Despite the September success, October saw a rise in major crimes, including murder, kidnapping, and robbery. Acting Commissioner of Police Erwin Boyce acknowledged a marginal 2% decrease in overall crime but expressed concern over the 13% year-on-year increase in major offenses. While sex-related and property crimes saw slight declines, the overall crime picture remains mixed, underscoring the need for continued focus on reducing violent crime.

A groundbreaking study has highlighted the alarming connection between the surge in violent behavior among young men and the absence of fathers, coupled with the weaponization of child visitation disputes. The research underscores how fractured family structures and the lack of positive male guidance are leaving boys susceptible to negative street influences. Conducted by the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit, the study analyzed the social histories of 47 individuals under 25 who are currently on remand in prison. Senior research analyst Kirt Goodridge revealed that 66% of these young men were raised in female-headed households, with 57% reporting family incarceration, often for serious crimes. The majority of these households were located in St Michael (51%) and Christ Church (26%). While 44% of respondents described their communities as peaceful, a staggering 63% had witnessed violent incidents, including shootings, fights, and murders. Goodridge emphasized the pivotal role of fathers in shaping young men’s development, noting that the absence of male role models often leads boys to seek guidance from peers who glorify violence and machismo. He called for family-strengthening programs, judicial reforms to prevent the weaponization of child visitation, and educational reforms to ensure young men remain in school until the age of 18. Research officer Melanie Banfield echoed the need for family-based interventions, advocating for mentorship programs and sustained engagement to curb youth offending.

The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) has activated a Flash-Flood Watch for the island, anticipating significant rainfall on Friday, November 7. In a recent advisory, the BMS highlighted the potential for severe flooding in low-lying and flood-prone regions, with weather conditions expected to worsen overnight and persist into Saturday. Authorities have cautioned that additional alerts or warnings may be issued as the situation evolves. Residents are strongly advised to remain vigilant, monitor updates from the BMS, and adhere to instructions from emergency management officials to ensure safety during this weather event.

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Digicel Group and the Digicel Jamaica Foundation have initiated a robust humanitarian effort to aid recovery in Jamaica’s hardest-hit regions. The joint initiative, titled ‘Reconnecting Jamaica,’ aims to distribute nearly 12,000 care packages to residents in the most affected western parishes, including Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Hanover, St James, and Trelawny. To date, over 1,500 food care packs have been delivered, with an additional 10,000 set for distribution in the coming days. These packages contain essential supplies such as water, rice, oil, and other staples, alongside hygiene kits and solar-powered lighting solutions like LED lanterns and emergency bulbs for households still without electricity. Furthermore, hardware certificates are being provided to enable residents to purchase construction materials locally, fostering sustainable rebuilding efforts within their communities.

Marcelo Cataldo, CEO of Digicel Group, emphasized the company’s commitment to Jamaica’s recovery, stating, ‘Our responsibility extends beyond business; we’re focused on restoring hope and supporting government efforts.’ The Digicel Foundation, a cornerstone of community development for nearly two decades, has mobilized staff and volunteers island-wide to coordinate relief distribution. Additional support includes the distribution of SIM cards with data plans to relief workers, complimentary prepaid and postpaid plans for affected customers, and mobile charging stations on Digicel buses to help residents stay connected.

Collaborating with the Jamaican government, Digicel is also addressing environmental and health needs by supplying items such as foggers, testing tablets, and medical equipment. A regional crowdsourcing campaign and donation bins at Digicel’s Kingston headquarters further encourage contributions to the relief efforts. Charmaine Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation, highlighted the initiative’s broader mission: ‘Reconnecting Jamaica is about restoring dignity and stability. These care packages symbolize solidarity and long-term support.’

Stephen Murad, CEO of Digicel Jamaica, praised the dedication of the network teams working tirelessly to restore connectivity and assist in relief distribution. ‘Reconnecting Jamaica is our sole focus,’ he said. ‘We’re proud of our teams who embody the spirit of the Digicel family by standing with our customers in their time of need.’