What’s Trending:Eyes on Economy

Wed, January 18, 2012 - 8:24 AM

The Nation's Online Editor Carol Martindale looks at What's Trending today in Barbados.

The eyes are on the economy this morning.

Even though the Central Bank of Barbados is saying the economy has stabilized, Barbadians are stewing about the unemployment situation.

Unemployment right now is at 12 per cent.

Andre Petite said: “The Central Bank talking about unemployment but there needs to be more job creation going on in order for Barbados to get out of this recession.”

Conchita Moseley: “Unfortunately unemployment is worldwide. … There are some jobs but people are not prepared to work in low paid jobs. Highly skilled people might have to opt for semi-skilled jobs, semi-skilled people may have to look elsewhere. Because you have degrees in a particular area it does not mean you have to spend the rest of your life looking/ waiting for employment in that area. A simple solution is to set up your own business. Not everybody can be at the top of the ladder. Small family businesses can bring in revenue. People are lazy and are refusing to get their hands dirty. Everybody wants to be carrying a brief case and sit behind a desk. I know many people with degrees working in fast food shops and department stores. People should keep their options open. High employment is escalating.”

The Alexandra dispute continues today with a special meeting with all the parties involved, as well as a special ministerial committee which will be sitting in. The Cabinet ministers attending the meeting are Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite, Esther Byer-Suckoo, who is Minister of Labour and Social Security, and Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Harry Husbands.

But ahead of this morning’s meeting, readers are taking issue with Jeff Broomes’ comments that this is the third letter he has sent to the Ministry of Education. He said he had to resubmit it as officials reported they could not find it.

The principal of Alexandra School said the letter was hand delivered to officials in the Registry at the ministry, but he added: “I don’t know what happened after it got there.”

Barbadians are also talking about pictures surfacing showing Rihanna lighting up. There is much speculation by international websites about what she is smoking while lounging in Hawaii.

Kyla Lashley says: “Not surprising”.

Greta Marlin: “Why am i not surprised? In her own words... GOOD GIRL GONE BAD!”

Caleb Watson: “She is part of the Hollywood culture.”

carolmartindale@nationnews.com