标签： Barbados

In a landmark ruling at Barbados’ No. 3 Supreme Court, Justice Carlisle Greaves has imposed a life sentence with a 40-year tariff upon 26-year-old Kishon Lemar Anderson Thomas for the 2017 murder of 58-year-old Colleen Payne. The sentencing concludes an eight-year judicial process surrounding the brutal killing that occurred at a Royal Bank of Canada ATM on University Hill, St. Michael.

Justice Greaves characterized Thomas as a ‘dangerous, conniving, manipulative individual’ requiring prolonged societal protection. After accounting for 633 days spent on remand and a 24-month reduction for procedural delays, Thomas will serve 36 years at Dodds Prison before parole eligibility.

The court established that Thomas and an accomplice were stalking ATM users for robbery opportunities when he shot Payne as she withdrew funds for her church. Justice Greaves emphasized deterrence as a critical sentencing factor, noting that thousands of citizens and visitors rely on ATMs at all hours without fearing violent criminal acts.

A perplexing aspect emerged during proceedings: Thomas came from privileged circumstances with relatives claiming he ‘lacked nothing’ and was even purchased a vehicle while on bail for the murder. Justice Greaves observed this case demonstrates how privilege doesn’t preclude criminal behavior, citing Thomas’s documented association with criminal elements in Black Rock despite repeated family warnings.

The human toll was articulated by victim’s sister Ella Noelle, who revealed the murder triggered a family tragedy extending beyond Payne’s death. Their ill father succumbed to grief within weeks, followed by their mother’s death one year later, still mourning their daughter’s loss. In an extraordinary statement of forgiveness, Noelle expressed hope Thomas would ‘find a relationship with God,’ believing her sister would have wanted the same.

Thomas maintained his innocence from the dock while acknowledging sympathy for the life lost. The prosecution was led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Krystal Delaney, with defense representation by Andrew Pilgrim and Sian Lange.

The Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) has declared an uncompromising position regarding unresolved labor disputes at Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), warning that persistent violations of workers’ rights will provoke severe industrial responses. Deputy General Secretary Dwaine Paul conveyed to Barbados TODAY that the union stands prepared to authorize additional work stoppages if longstanding employee concerns remain unaddressed.

Paul emphasized that commercial and operational priorities must not override fundamental worker health, safety, and welfare protections. The union is currently engaged in active negotiations with Goddard Catering Group (GCG) ground services management regarding multiple staff complaints, primarily concerning outstanding wage payments. While some constructive dialogue has occurred, both parties have scheduled a crucial meeting on January 19 to pursue final resolutions.

The labor representative revealed that the BWU intends to convene comprehensive meetings with all airport divisions to assess working conditions throughout the facility. Paul noted that problematic conditions—including excessive heat exposure, substandard facilities, and inadequate working environments—represent systemic failures rather than isolated incidents. He stressed that employers bear both legal and moral responsibilities to address these issues promptly.

Tensions previously escalated on November 27 when approximately 50-75 GCG employees initiated industrial action during the airport’s peak traffic day, disrupting services for nearly 8,000 passengers. The stoppage concluded after management provided written commitments addressing key negotiation points. Paul cautioned that similar actions could spread across other airport employers if systemic issues persist, emphasizing that worker welfare cannot be sacrificed for financial considerations.

The Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) has called upon the government to prioritize rigorous enforcement of current labor regulations rather than introducing additional legislation. During the unveiling of the union’s newly launched website at Solidarity House, General Secretary Toni Moore emphasized that existing gaps and inconsistencies in labor laws continue to leave workers vulnerable across various sectors.

As the nation’s oldest trade union approaches its 85th anniversary, Moore reaffirmed the BWU’s commitment to transforming advocacy into tangible outcomes for members. The union has established clear annual priorities to ensure accountability, allowing members to evaluate whether organizational actions align with stated objectives throughout the year.

Moore highlighted a critical concern regarding Barbados’ labor legislation framework: “While we possess numerous well-crafted labor laws on paper, these regulations frequently contain conflicting interpretations and implementation gaps that undermine worker protections.” The general secretary explained that legislative inconsistencies create ambiguous understandings that ultimately disadvantage employees.

Rather than advocating for new laws, the BWU has engaged extensively with the Ministry of Labour to refine existing regulations. Moore reported productive discussions focused on enhancing enforcement mechanisms, particularly through the union’s construction industry campaign. These efforts have yielded commitments from the Labour Department to strengthen personnel capacity for improved responsiveness to worker concerns.

The construction sector presents particular challenges, with Moore noting: “While construction activity booms nationwide, the playing field remains profoundly uneven.” Many companies, including those bidding for taxpayer-funded public contracts, fail to comply with basic standards. The union continues to push for proper health and safety protocols and fair compensation that exceeds minimum wage requirements, citing unionized environments that pay 2-2.5 times the baseline rate.

The new website launch represents a significant modernization initiative for the BWU, enabling digital membership registration, grievance filing, dues payment, and real-time updates on legislative developments. Shop stewards can document workplace issues through the secure platform, which incorporates robust data protection measures and user-friendly navigation design.

Milton Lynch Primary School in Christ Church has inaugurated a pioneering Literacy Centre, established through a partnership with the Literacy Project charity. This specialized facility is designed to enhance early reading capabilities, elevate student self-assurance, and offer a targeted environment for tackling literacy obstacles among Barbadian youth. Officially opened last Friday, the center integrates supplementary educational materials and digital tools to cultivate advanced problem-solving and critical thinking competencies. Tara Redhead, Head of the Literacy Project charity, emphasized that the center provides a secure, concentrated setting free from typical classroom disruptions. She articulated the dual-purpose vision: serving as both a tranquil hub where students can access diverse learning resources and a functional teaching space. The initiative emerged from recognizing the necessity for practical learning environments within resource-constrained schools. Redhead noted that while government resources cannot fund complete school refurbishments, creating model spaces demonstrates the future direction of educational reform. Her insights were shaped by years of conducting individualized literacy sessions at public libraries, where she observed significant disparities in children’s reading and writing proficiencies. These experiences catalyzed the charity’s formation, particularly as research consistently reveals correlations between literacy deficiencies and adverse social outcomes including diminished self-esteem, social isolation, and behavioral issues. Ryan Straughn, Member of Parliament for Christ Church East and Minister in the Ministry of Finance, emphasized literacy’s fundamental role in Barbados’s developmental trajectory. Addressing students, he stated the project aims to build both skills and confidence for global impact. Straughn also praised the involvement of four University of the West Indies volunteers participating through the Give Back Programme—a initiative linked to Barbados’s free tertiary education policy. He highlighted how this program facilitates community connections and human capital development beyond government capabilities. Straughn encouraged students to embrace these opportunities, emphasizing that confidence and safe spaces enable path creation. The Literacy Centre stands as foundational preparation for students’ future beyond academic settings, with outcomes determined by how they leverage acquired skills and knowledge.