标签： Barbados

The Barbadian government is undertaking a significant reform of its disability benefits system, specifically targeting the rule that automatically terminates financial support when recipients begin earning income. Minister of Labour Colin Jordan revealed the policy review to Barbados TODAY, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to creating a more flexible social safety net.

The comprehensive reassessment addresses fundamental flaws in the current framework that inadvertently penalize disabled individuals seeking employment. Under existing regulations, any earned income immediately triggers benefit withdrawal, creating a substantial disincentive for workforce participation. The revised approach will establish an income threshold system where beneficiaries can maintain partial state support while earning modest wages.

Minister Jordan articulated the policy’s rationale during a disability sensitivity training event for employers, noting that many disabled persons can only manage part-time or reduced work schedules. “There are some people with disabilities who can’t work full time every day,” Jordan stated. “They may be working three or four half days weekly—this represents meaningful employment within their capabilities but often provides insufficient income for independent living.”

The National Insurance and Social Security Service (NISSS) is spearheading the review process, with particular attention to the program’s unique funding structure. Unlike standard National Insurance benefits financed through contributions, the special needs program draws directly from the government’s Consolidated Fund, acknowledging that many recipients cannot make consistent financial contributions.

This welfare initiative serves approximately 1,600 beneficiaries, providing crucial assistance for basic living expenses including transportation, healthcare access, and essential personal items. The minister highlighted that minimum wage provisions often remain inaccessible to this population, making continued support necessary for dignified existence.

The proposed reforms build upon recent legislative expansions that broadened eligibility criteria beyond the previously narrow focus on deaf-mute individuals. Updated regulations now include autism, cerebral palsy, advanced multiple sclerosis, and Down syndrome, significantly extending the program’s reach.

While no definitive timeline exists for implementation, Minister Jordan indicated potential progress before mid-2025. The government is concurrently promoting workplace inclusion through employer education programs, encouraging businesses to create accommodating environments for disabled workers. The ultimate objective remains balancing workforce participation incentives with appropriate ongoing support for vulnerable citizens whose earning capacity may fluctuate due to health considerations.

A violent afternoon shooting in the Merricks area of St Philip has left a 25-year-old male victim hospitalized with gunshot wounds, according to official reports from the District ‘C’ Police Station.

The incident unfolded at approximately 2:25 PM on Wednesday when unidentified assailants opened fire on a group of individuals congregating outside a local business establishment. Preliminary investigative findings indicate that the perpetrators arrived at the scene in a motor vehicle, discharged multiple rounds toward the gathering, and subsequently fled the area before law enforcement could respond.

Emergency medical services promptly transported the wounded man to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital via ambulance, where he currently remains under medical supervision. Authorities have not disclosed the victim’s current condition or the severity of his injuries.

Law enforcement officials have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Police are actively seeking witnesses and any individuals with relevant information that could assist in identifying the suspects and determining the motive behind the attack.

The Barbados Police Service has issued a public appeal for information, urging community members to come forward with any details regarding the incident. Confidential tips can be provided through multiple channels including the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-8477, the Police Emergency line at 211, or directly contacting the District ‘C’ Police Station at 416-8200 or 416-8204.

Barbados continues to face substantial marine hazards as meteorological authorities extend safety advisories amid persistently dangerous ocean conditions. The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) maintains its Small Craft and High Surf Advisory through Saturday morning, warning of sustained Atlantic swells measuring 2.5 to 3.0 meters that are creating treacherous coastal environments.

The intensified sea conditions, generated by a robust Atlantic high-pressure system producing winds of 20-30 knots, present multiple threats to marine operations and coastal infrastructure. Small craft operators face particularly hazardous operating conditions with difficult navigation and elevated capsizing risks. Coastal regions, especially along northern, eastern, and southern shorelines, remain vulnerable to significant beach erosion and temporary submersion during high tide cycles.

Authorities have issued stern warnings regarding potential safety consequences, including the possibility of serious injury or fatalities if precautionary measures are disregarded. The National Conservation Commission has joined meteorological officials in urging extreme caution for marine users and beachgoers alike.

The BMS indicates these agitated sea conditions will gradually diminish over the weekend, with current models projecting improvement by Saturday, December 20, at 6:00 AM, though earlier termination remains possible if conditions improve unexpectedly. Residents and visitors are advised to continuously monitor updates through official channels including the Department of Emergency Management and Barbados Government Information Service for real-time safety information.

For detailed updates, the public may access the Barbados Meteorological Services website or utilize their emergency hotline at 976-2376.

The Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) of Barbados has launched a comprehensive public awareness campaign targeting commercial establishments in Bridgetown, urging enhanced cooperation in waste management protocols during the heightened Christmas commercial period. In an official communiqué, Public Relations Officer Carl Padmore outlined specific regulatory requirements for business operators.

Commercial entities are instructed to implement proper waste handling procedures, with particular emphasis on collapsing and securely binding cardboard packaging before scheduled collections. Restaurant proprietors received explicit directives regarding prohibited pavement disposal of cooking oils and greases, mandating exclusive use of licensed waste management services for such materials.

The sanitation regulatory body issued stringent prohibitions against including human or animal waste in standard garbage receptacles, while simultaneously reminding motorists to maintain clear access routes for municipal collection vehicles. Padmore emphasized the philosophy of shared responsibility, stating: “Despite recognizing seasonal commercial intensification, collective civic duty remains paramount. Fulfill your operational responsibilities, and we shall guarantee our service delivery.”

Concurrently, the SSA announced adjusted household waste collection schedules, confirming service suspensions on December 25, 2025 and January 1, 2026 due to national holidays. Residents received explicit instructions regarding separation protocols for bulky waste items, which require specialized handling through designated commercial channels.

The authority provided comprehensive contact information for specialized waste disposal services, including primary commercial department numbers (535-5052/535-5053), dedicated hotlines (262-5326/262-5327), and main administrative switchboard (535-5000). Concluding the announcement, the SSA extended formal seasonal greetings to all Barbadian citizens, wishing them harmonious festive celebrations and economically prosperous new year.

Residents of Chancery Park in Christ Church, Barbados, face an escalating environmental crisis as relentless dust pollution from nearby construction activities infiltrates their homes and damages property. For five consecutive years, this community has endured deteriorating living conditions with minimal response from developers or authorities despite repeated complaints.

Beverly Arthur-Barrow, a retiree who recently returned to Barbados, exemplifies the struggle. Her property requires repainting every four months despite using industrial-grade paint, and she has replaced her hot tub three times due to motor damage from dust infiltration. The constant cleaning—costing between £700-900 quarterly—has become financially burdensome and physically exhausting. More alarmingly, she reports developing sinus problems and other health issues directly attributed to the dust exposure.

The situation worsened recently when construction crews attempted temporary remediation by laying gravel and compacting it with machinery, which residents claim amplified the dust problem rather than mitigating it. Structural damage has also emerged, with property fences leaning due to construction vehicle vibrations.

Neighbor Wendy Critchlow-Harris reports similar issues, describing how fine grit dust permeates curtains and indoor surfaces, creating unavoidable inhalation risks. She emphasizes the community’s frustration with the complete lack of communication from developers or local officials regarding timelines or mitigation plans.

Christ Church East MP Wilfred Abrahams acknowledges the problem, explaining that road scraping was performed by the Ministry of Transport and Works to address pothole complaints, but this interim measure created additional challenges. He confirms the road is currently in the design phase for proper paving through the Ministry of Public Works, with construction to commence upon design approval. Abrahams has committed to revisiting the community to address these escalating concerns personally.

The Ministry of Educational Transformation (MEdT) has unveiled an extensive public engagement initiative, scheduling twelve town hall meetings across Barbados throughout January 2026. These sessions are strategically designed to familiarize parents and guardians with the comprehensive administrative procedures governing the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE).

The outreach program is timed to precede the official return of all BSSEE examination forms to the Ministry, ensuring stakeholders are fully informed before this critical deadline. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to transparent communication and parental involvement in the island’s pivotal educational assessment.

A detailed schedule of meetings has been released, featuring venues in multiple parishes to maximize accessibility. The itinerary commences on Saturday, January 3, 2026, with simultaneous sessions at Alexandra School on Queen’s Street, St. Peter, and Princess Margaret Secondary School at Six Roads, St. Philip, both commencing at 5:00 p.m.

Subsequent meetings will follow a similar pattern throughout the month:
– Tuesday, January 6: St. George Secondary School (Constant, St. George) and Lester Vaughan School (Cane Garden, St. Thomas)
– Saturday, January 10: Grantley Adams Memorial School (Blackman’s, St. Joseph) and Deighton Griffith Secondary (Kingsland, Christ Church)
– Tuesday, January 13: The Oceana Innovation Hub (Bay Street, St. Michael) and West Terrace Primary (West Terrace, St. James)
– Saturday, January 17: Daryll Jordan Secondary School (Trents, St. Lucy) and A. Dacosta Edwards Primary School (Belleplaine, St. Andrew)
– Tuesday, January 20: Mount Tabor Primary (Mount Tabor, St. John) and The St Michael School (Martindales Road, St. Michael)

All scheduled sessions will maintain the 5:00 p.m. start time to accommodate working parents. This nationwide consultation represents one of the most comprehensive public education campaigns ever undertaken for the BSSEE process.