The Freundel Stuart administration in Barbados has pushed back plans for the start of layoffs of thousands of public workers until month-end.
Stuart disclosed this today following the third round of talks between government and the two main trade unions representing these workers – the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) and the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU).
He said unlike 1991 there were no causal workers and as a result the technocrats working on the list will prepare it and then submit it to him.
“We have to generate a list of persons likely to be affected. It is taking a little more time than we would have wished . . . we have the Public Service Act to deal with,” Stuart noted while giving reasons why the laysoffs would not now begin on January 15.
General Secretary of the BWU, Sir Roy Trotman said he expected to see the list after Cabinet meets on Thursday.
The Barbados Government which is facing difficult economic issues has instituted a number of austerity measures to get over its financial problems. These have included cutting back on social services and layoffs in the public service. (ES)
