New independent senator Julian Hunte taking the Oath of Office in the presence of Governor General Dame Sandra Mason and her Private Secretary, Sandra Watkins, (partially hidden to the right) at Government House today. (C. Pitt/BGIS)

Julian Alvin Hunte, a 44-year-old trade unionist and Assistant Registrar at The University of the West Indies (UWI), was sworn in today as an Independent Senator by Governor General Dame Sandra Mason at Government House.

Mr. Hunte took the Oath of Office in the presence of the Clerk of Parliament, Pedro Eastmond; and Acting Cabinet Secretary, Hughland Allman.

Speaking on her choice for a Senator, Dame Sandra stated: “I needed someone to look after the question of labour, trade unionism and industrial relations in the Senate…and I am given to understand that Mr. Hunte is quite capable and I’m happy to have him as a Senator in the Senate.”

Describing his appointment by the Governor General as a “tremendous honour”, Mr. Hunte stated that he will be drawing on his experience serving at a senior level in the trade union movement and in the private sector, to carry out his new role.

He added that he will be “focusing primarily on matters as they impact upon the trade union movement and the practice of industrial relations in general”.

The Senator continued: “This is an opportunity to give back to my country, to contribute in a field which I love, which I have committed to for almost 20 years; to do my part in ensuring that the interest of labour and the interest of all who practise industrial relations is heard; that we are adequately represented and that we are seen to be giving our contribution to getting Barbados exactly where it needs to be as a nation.”

Also present at the swearing-in ceremony were Mr. Hunte’s mother, Ann Hunte; family friends Joan Finch and Stacy Hastick; as well Independent Senators Lindell Nurse, Dr. Christopher Maynard, Monique Taitt, Reverend John Rogers and Alphea Wiggins.

Mr. Hunte replaces Toni Moore in the Senate.

sheena.forde-craigg@barbados.gov.bb

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