While Barbados’ Social Partnership has been deemed a success by Acting Prime Minister, Richard Sealy, he stressed that it was a still a work in progress, whose continued development required the support of all stakeholders.

The Acting Prime Minister reiterated that the local tripartite system has been praised across the globe, with several countries now seeking to implement similar structures.
In this regard, Mr. Sealy revealed that Cabinet had given its approval for a local delegation to visit Singapore for its 50th anniversary celebrations, to offer insight on the workings of Barbados’ tripartite partnership model.
He added that while the Social Partnership had completed several of the objectives outlined in Protocol Six, this extension would allow the body to focus on and continue work in some critical outstanding areas.
“The social partners have placed a priority on some troubling social issues such as Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, which are having a serious impact on the welfare of our workforce and our citizens.
“The partners have committed themselves to work with the National Commission on Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases and related entities to see how we can mobilise and educate towards preventative health care and healthy lifestyles,” Mr. Sealy said.

These included Minister of Labour, Senator Dr. Esther Byer; Minister of International Business, Industry, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss; Head of the Private Sector Association, Alex MacDonald; and President of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB), Cedric Murrell.

Mr. Sealy said he hoped that by that time the drafted Protocol Seven would be completed. (AS/BGIS)
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