‘We must work together’

Unity has always been our strength.

 

This was the point that was emphasised by Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, who delivered remarks at the handing over of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Chairmanship at the Hilton Hotel last Thursday.

 

She said that while there is a natural tendency to want to look after your own interests first and foremost, we also need to understand that in a small island developing state (SIDS) like Barbados where we are all so inter-connected, being able to work together is crucial.

 

“Yes, everybody has their own interests and indeed home drums beat first, but if we understand that on this little island where we are all so inter-connected and some say incestuous ... because that is Barbados for you ... but because we are so connected, familial ties and other ties, we are so connected, we have to continue to work together. That unity that we have in Barbados is our strength.”

 

Byer-Suckoo, who also holds the post of Chair of the Sub-Committee for the Social Partnership, stressed the importance of not only continuing along this path as we approach our golden jubilee, but also communicating this importance to persons from other sectors as well as the younger generation.

 

“That is so important as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of Independence, that we continue to put Barbados first and that we do it outside of this forum as well – it works in our Social Partnership – but that we can find a way to transmit that to other sectors and to coming generations as well that we have to put Barbados first when it comes to discussing these matters.”

 

If this can be achieved, then any of the issues that we face as a country, whether social or economic, can also be ironed out, stated the Minister of Human Resources Development.

 

“And at our 50th anniversary of Independence, we all know the challenges that we have. I believe that our Social Partnership, especially our Sub-Committee, is one avenue through which we can work to solve a lot of our problems – social and economic – and I want to encourage Charles (Herbert) that as he takes the baton, to continue to work with the Social Partnership.” (PJT)