Minister of Labour, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo. (FP)

Minister of Labour, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo. (FP)

Minister of Labour, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, has identified the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) and the Social Partnership as “homegrown” solutions, which were derived from a unified approach to problem solving.

Senator Byer Suckoo expressed this view recently as she delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of CTUSAB’s 11th Biennial Delegates’ Conference at the Savannah Beach Hotel.

She told those gathered: “There will always be problems, but I have always believed that … with faith, we can conquer them… Our Social Partnership and CTUSAB are such reminders [of] homegrown solutions that many now uphold as models.”

Highlighting how much CTUSAB and the Social Partnership had achieved by maintaining a unity-based approach to problem solving, the Labour Minister added that each institution’s ability to overcome challenges was made stronger in the process.

“CTUSAB, celebrating 21 years is coming of age … and has played a significant role in the social and economic development of Barbados, sitting as the umbrella body for trade unions and staff associations at the Social Partnership…

“Our Social Partnership will also celebrate 25 years soon. As can be expected, in 25 years that institution has undergone changes, but the test of maturity is resilience – the ability to row with the tide, the ups and downs, and still keep going,” she observed.

Dr. Byer Suckoo also advised that a more “judicious” approach should be used by the institutions when handling grievances, as Barbados was a signatory to the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

She pointed out that the ILO and the international community paid close attention to the activities of Barbados’ labour organisations, and therefore cautioned them to be mindful of their conduct in the face of “woes and wranglings”.

malissa.brathwaite@barbados.gov.bb

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