There is considerable merit in the observation by Prime Minister David Thompson that many of the visitors Barbados is depending upon to visit its shores are themselves victims of the current global economic downturn. Politicians often times speak in the abstract about real situations that affect national outcomes. I do not wish to be partisan, but I smile when persons speak of a decline in tourism activity without referencing the convulsions taking place in some of our primary source markets.
For example, while the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Mia Mottley, during her reply to the budget, was apportioning blame to the new DLP administration for a fall in tourism numbers, streaming across the bottom of the television screen, which at the time was tuned to CNN, were news alerts of three corporate giants in the United States laying off in excess of 17 000 workers, all in a single day. Last week I counted 83 000 similar victims, and that is only from the clips that I viewed while sitting before my television.
Curiously, I Googled ‘job losses in the United States’ and it was heart rending to discover that last month, April, 2009 to be exact, a whopping 611 000 persons lost their jobs in the United States. This has nothing to do with the more than 270 000 that were placed on the breadline by companies in the United Kingdom. Last Thursday alone, 15, 000 were sent home from British Telecom. In the United States, since the recession began in December, 2007, a mere 17 months ago, 5.7 million jobs have been lost.
This would all be lamentable but academic to us here in Barbados if a significant number of those persons were not among the thousands who had their minds set on summer and winter holidays in the Caribbean, for dates as early as this year. Some, I am sure, had ticked off Barbados as a possible destination. What I find unbelievable, is that persons in public life, who would wish to be taken seriously as political thinkers, would speak in this period to declining fortunes in tourism, without referencing in any way the realities of the goings on in the marketplace.
Close to six million people in the United States and a proportionate number in the United Kingdom losing their jobs must impact negatively on scheduled travel to the Caribbean. Let’s put ourselves in their shoes. If you were working at a big corporation and you were doubtful of its viability in the current economic circumstances, would you commit at this time to a holiday? I am not saying all potential visitors to Barbados or the Caribbean are in this category. What I am suggesting is that serious analysis should make provision for there being a not so insignificant number.
By the same token, as the Prime Minister said, much of the food and other items we produce here in Barbados can be and is produced for a fraction of existing raw material costs elsewhere in the wider region. Take for example the average Polo Shirt which cost approximately $40 here in Barbados. The same shirt of identical quality is produced in factories in Latin America for less than US$3.
Now when certain political spokespersons were in government they knew this to be the case. Some of them even visited such factories and outlets in Brazil, Panama, Chile, Honduras and El Salvador. Yet, all of a sudden, they are on the other side of the Parliament and they cannot understand the reality of the dilemma confronting local economic planners, where, for example, it is possible to source a dozen eggs from overseas for the cost of two single eggs here in Barbados.
What do we do with our local industries? What do we say to workers in industry who require and indeed who deserve to be paid annual increments like anyone else? And what about workers in agriculture? Shouldn’t they receive a realistic wage, given the cost of living? These are pertinent issues that have got to be addressed head on by decision makers.
How, for example, can anyone oppose an increase in water rates, when the need for a huge injection of capital is well established? Four years ago a former minister made an attempt to increase water rates and was slapped down unceremoniously. Had the increase been granted then, a steep hike would not be required now. Yes! There are inefficiencies in the Barbados Water Authority. But does not preclude the need for a major capital works programme and an improvement in the quality and distribution of our water? Shouldn’t we move to check the rate of leakage?
It is one thing to be in opposition and to assume the posture of ‘oppose and oppose and oppose’ but the Prime Minister is correct when he says there comes a time when we must each stand and be counted. I like the concept of Team Barbados. I firmly believe that elections are a minimum three years away and that until then we should put partisan politics aside and put our hands to the plough as Barbadians in pursuit of the national good.
How, for example, can there be any divide in this country over the impact of unregulated and uncontrolled, indeed, undetermined, migration? There are times when a Leader of the Opposition must, if he or she cannot publicly support a measure, just allow certain issues to run their course. It is not always that you need to comment!
Politics is about logic. It is about reason. If neither is evident in one’s submission, it loses credibility and appeal. We are in an era where what matters to most is that which is best for the country. In this regard, blind, partisan politics has no place and should be avoided.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.