We have done several stories on the concern which we have with the ad hoc approach by the Barbados government regarding its lack of a policy towards immigrant labor. Of particular concern has been the inclination and ease which companies in Barbados have been allowed to bring Chinese and other labor into Barbados. It seems that the concerns of ordinary Barbadians which have been to a large degree ignored by government and other non governmental agencies are being responded to, but in a token way.
We wonder why?
Does it have something to do with the fact that the international media has picked up this story and our friend Sir Roy now realizes that there are some embarrassing times ahead if he stays mum on the issue? It is well documented that the Chinese are paid very low wages comparative to our Caribbean laborers. The interaction of Chinese and Guyanese recruitment in Barbados in recent years is starting to reflect in some social fall-out. Two days ago the Inter Press Service (IPS) did a feature on the growing problem of Chinese immigrant labor which Barbados and other Caribbean governments are experiencing. IPS quoted Sir Roy as saying:
Read Barbados Underground Feed
Sir Roy Trotman, general secretary of the Barbados Workers Union (BWU), says the time has come for a comprehensive review of the situation, as the current brigade of about 500 Chinese labourers working on construction sites has undermined the booming local job and construction market.
“We realise you can’t stop greed. Some employers told me that they heard the buildings we are going to put up at Mangrove will be put up with Chinese labour. I don’t know if they are getting mixed up with me or someone else, but that will happen in another world, at another time, under another general secretary,” Sir Roy said.
To Sir Roy we say welcome to the fray on the Chinese issue and hope that your international reputation would not have been significantly dented on this issue. We listened carefully to Minister Joseph Atherley’s long winded press conference last night and marveled at the level of spin which he was able to impart on the issue of the work permit issue relating to the construction of the Four Seasons Hotel. His reference to other Caribbean islands importing Chinese labor does not add to the debate because according to the IPS story other Caribbean islands also share the same concerns as Barbadians. Also his reference to the government, BWU and the Barbados Contractors Association having several points of commonality peaked our interest. It would be informative indeed to find-out what are the commonalities. We laughed at Atherley’s weak attempt to justify the issuance finally of work permits to the Chinese caught working illegally on the Four Seasons project. His hint that a sovereign government would factor the fear of legal action if they did not issue the permits was ridiculous indeed. Here is an Arthur administration which has boasted of locking horns with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). But we all know the reason why this project has to proceed, Mr. Pemberton’s deep pockets and our barefoot politicians may well be key factors.
How do BU contributors feel on the issue? Yesterday a concerned contributor posting under the name “Holy Cow” submitted a comment which we agree with 100%.
I saw where Sir. Roy (BWU) had met with many of the BLP Ministers about the Chinese problem and lo and behold is now suggesting he is willing to re-think his position. Among the people he met with were the very ones that to this day have given not one word of explanation to the Barbadian people for this outrageous act by Pemberton and which the Government closed their eyes to.
But here is another thing unless my memory is failing me. Am I wrong when saying that soon after the Arthur Government got in ten or so years ago they promised because of a building boom back then that they would establish vocational trade school/s. And the purpose was to train Barbadians in various trades so that they could fill Barbadian jobs?
Am I dreaming?
What ever happened to this promise? Ezra Alleyne suggested in one of his weekly addresses and he should know as he is an expert or at least he thinks so that 50% or more of Barbadians do not draw a pay check. Yet we have Chinese workers having to be brought in to fill jobs? Does that make sense?
But here is what I find troubling about Sir. Roys change of heart. He admitted like the rest of us that allowing these Chinese in without work permits was illegal. I suggest it was also and still is a threat to the National Security of Barbados. And were any of these workers given a health check to see that they were not carrying the Bird Flu, or were HIV positive among other health issues? No one in Barbados has been offered an explanation by the Government, nothing has changed yet Sir. Roy after meeting with the BLP is promising to soften his position.
Strange!
This is exactly how free trade, Globalization and open borders work. Foreigners come in and take over jobs. And I could be wrong but I do not think that they are made to or required to pay union dues, Unemployment Insurance, Healthcare benefits, Income tax etc like most Barbadians. Yet they enjoy all of the amenities Barbadians are paying for. Were this happening the likes of Pemberton would not be bringing these people in as he is doing because there would be little or no savings.
All of the off-shore operations that Bajan Companies say they are opening in cheap labor destinations is anyone seeing cheaper prices on the products they make and ship back to Barbados? But I bet the profits of the company has significantly increased much as we see with oil companies. This is what it is all about!
When Four Seasons Resort was planned no go ahead to build by Government should have been granted until all labor requirements, availability of it etc been met and approved. This is a project being built and it matters not if Barbados laws are broken or not. And here is another thing we have not heard another word from any source about Sir. Roys claim of defective steel being used. Maybe the meeting he had with the BLP might have involved a deal for his silence on this and other matters.
That is how the game is played no one is exempt from playing “Let’s make a deal”.
When one considers the economic strength of China we cannot underestimate the influence they will be having in our region in the coming years. The IPS story provides an idea to the resources which China is prepared to throw around the Caribbean, and yes it is a Caribbean wide problem. Where is CARICOM on this issue…can we expect a one policy on this matter. We think not! :
As an indication of how serious the fight has become, China last year announced that it had set aside a billion dollars to develop relations and boost trade with the Caribbean and Latin America. “We know that China has one of the largest foreign exchange reserves in the world of over one trillion dollars. As a trading partner with the Caribbean it ranks third after the U.S. and the EU and there is little doubt it has growing influence in the region and that its influence will grow over the years,” said Henry Jeffrey, Guyana’s Foreign Trade Minister.
Given the overtures which the Arthur administration has been making to China; any policy change directed at the Chinese will be cosmetic in nature as we have seen from Minister Atherley’s press conference last night. Our willingness to fold in the face of the economic agenda by sacrificing basic principles which have served us well in the past is truly regrettable. It is a time like now that we remember the famous quote by the late Right Excellent Errol Barrow and its appropriateness: Barbados will be friends of all and satellites of none.
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