If Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development Donville Inniss gets his way, Barbados’ businesses could enjoy longer and more flexible opening hours through changes to the Shops Act.
“The harsh reality is that some of our labour laws in Barbados are rather antiquated and one that concerns me . . . is in relation to the working hours,” Inniss said yesterday at the official opening of Massy Stores Supermarket at Skymall, Haggatt Hall, St Michael.
“I firmly believe Barbados must become a 24-7 society,” he declared, and he vowed to do all in his power to bring about change in the labour laws, while insisting that the “eight to four attitude and conduct must become something of the past”.
“The world does not stop at 4 p.m. and wait until Barbados reopens the next morning,” said the outspoken minister.
His remarks were in response to a direct call from managing director of Massy Stores Barbados Limited, Neville Brewster, for Inniss to address one of the “hindrances to service excellence” in the retail industry.
