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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, and General Secretary of the Barbados Workers Union, Sir Roy Trotman, pay rapt attention to a presentation at the launch of May Day celebrations at Solidarity House. (S. Pil??/BGIS)??

The collaborative, team-oriented approach of Barbados’ Social Partnership to manage this country’s social and economic affairs has been key "in helping Government work its way through the recession".

This was asserted by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, as she addressed the formal launch of May Day Celebrations yesterday at Solidarity House, Harmony Hall, St. Michael.??

"I wish to use this opportunity to celebrate the contribution of the tripartite grouping within the Social Partnership, and the impact of this entity’s recommendations on the social and economic fabric of this country over the past decade," she said.?? She further acknowledged that May Day, or International Workers’ Day as it is officially called, presented the country with an opportunity to focus on the achievements of its employers, trade unions, workers and Government.

Dr. Byer Suckoo, who is also Chairperson of the Sub-Committee of the Social Partnership, noted that the tripartite group met monthly to consult on matters such as the prices of goods and services, compensation, employment relations, occupational safety and health, disaster preparedness, service excellence and chronic illness.??

Pointing to recommendations made by the Sub-Committee, she observed that those suggestions have led to the development of a Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy and a Medium-Term Development Strategy and according to her: "These are anchoring us through this recession".

She also disclosed that the Barbados Action Team (BAT) was proposed when the full social partnership met in January, under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister.

Explaining that BAT was a tripartite arrangement which consisted of an equal number of delegates from each of the Social Partnership groups: Government, the Employers and Trade Union Representatives, the Labour Minister outlined that the BAT comprised three working groups, the Social Safety Net, the Efficiency Component and Facilitation Group.??

Stating that action teams have been ordered to draft recommendations that could be fulfilled speedily, she added: "This is so that Barbados could ensure that it has an effective Safety Net and persons are not slipping through the cracks into dire poverty during this recession.?? [It will also] ensure that in the areas of efficiency, especially in Government, that we are doing our best to make sure that business could flourish."

She further noted that in the area of facilitation, employers and small business owners had expressed concern about the length of time it took for Government to get processes done that were essential for the growth and expansion of businesses.???? "So, we are working to make sure that all those areas receive attention, not just from Government but the entire tripartite grouping," she said.

Stressing that the upcoming May Day celebrations called for her to re-emphasise Government’s intention "to continue to place collaboration and participation at the forefront of our development through tripartism", Dr. Byer Suckoo affirmed: "I wish to use this opportunity to celebrate the contribution of the tripartite grouping within the Social Partnership, and the impact of this entity’s recommendations on the social and economic fabric of this country over the past decade."??

shamkoe.pile@barbados.gov.bb

Author: Shamkoe Pil??

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