Barbados must embrace ‘a new normal’

Barbados cannot return to the old way of doing things, but must embrace a new normal, even as it seeks to emerge from the present COVID-19 pandemic.

General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), Senator Toni Moore, suggested the above as Barbadians celebrated a quiet May Day yesterday, under lockdown rather than marching in the streets in celebration of International Workers’ Day.

Speaking under the theme, “Secure Employees, Sustainable Economies”, Moore pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly challenged the Executive Council of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), to find the best way forward in the continued delivery of the Union’s mission to sustain the capacity of workers to support their families. She acknowledged that given the circumstances, the consensus is that this will not be a clear-cut easy task as change is a must.

“You have heard it said many times over – this pandemic knows no discrimination; it affects us all. It has proved useful in exposing or highlighting the cracks and frailty of our system. It has altered the rhetoric from ‘not business as usual’ to ‘the new normal’. That new normal has triggered the need for rapid changes to agreements and workplace policies. Perhaps, if we are honest enough, we might be able to admit that we have been provided with an opportunity for some positive change,” Moore said.

“The BWU is not totally convinced by the aspirations of some to get back to normal. A return to ‘normal’ would not be good enough where it causes us to forget the contributions of our everyday heroes who have been on the frontline of this pandemic… The very workers who for years have been fighting against declining wages occasioned by insecure models of employment, which prioritise evading statutory and other social protection obligations to gain advantage; the same workers who have been confronting battling against declining conditions which have been
secured for them over the years. Normal would mean a return to a system that is broken. We have an opportunity to change that,” Moore added.

She further stressed that, “The BWU does not regard this time as one in which we will drop our guard and give away our labour, because of a few with a crab-like mentality or as a result of the ill-intentions of some who would seek to exploit the health crisis, now the jobs crisis caused by COVID-19, to advance their narrow self-interests. In times like these, when jobs are scarce and needs are high, we are alert to the attempts that may be made by some to impose skimpy and indecent working conditions, because they are of the view that people will accept any job, regardless of their skill sets, the pay, or working conditions. But it begs the question, does that make it okay?”

She further stated, “Indeed, the response to COVID-19 requires a revolutionary approach that is not fought or won with weapons, but requires a revert to the value systems upon which this nation is built. Just like the Coronavirus, the call for solidarity, brotherhood and unity must transcend race, class and status and truly move us toward achieving a Barbados that works for all Bajans.”

“At this time more than ever, a recommitment to our values, principles and to nationhood may be just what is necessary to bring about revolutionary ideas from Government, the Social Partners and the people of Barbados,” Moore asserted. (RSM)