Members of the Social Partnership are happy after their first meeting yesterday with Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who said all parties are committed to preserving the value of Barbados’ dollar.
President of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), Akanni McDowall, said pertinent issues were laid on the table during the three-hour meeting.
“The tone of the meeting was one that the NUPW really appreciated. We were able to be frank and push most of the issues that needed to be discussed on the table.
“We spoke about the issues that were important to us, and everybody was able to have a cordial type of meeting, at the end of which we all agreed we would make a joint statement about the general conduct of the meeting,” he said.
Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association, Charles Herbert, echoed McDowall’s sentiments.
“We were very pleased with the meeting. It was frank. It was decisive, and there is already a commitment to a follow-up meeting on Friday. And after the Friday meeting, there would be a follow up to the nation,” he said.
Equally upbeat
President of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations (CTUSAB), Cedric Murrell, was equally upbeat about the meeting.
“The meeting . . . was quite an engaging one, and certainly we were able to discuss a number of areas that are key to our country going forward. We certainly from the congress look forward to a very productive relationship within the Social Partnership, as we attempt to address the very crucial issues of growth and development of our country,” he said.
Mottley repeated her pledge to work to stabilise the economy.
Speaking after the meeting held at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St Michael, she said meetings would be held twice monthly until the economic situation improved.
“All parties were absolutely committed to the country’s fixed exchange rate and the preservation of the value of the Barbados dollar. With regard to the way forward, the Social Partnership leaders agreed to consult their membership over the next few days so that they may better prepare for Friday’s meeting,” she said. (RA)
