The following note was received from the Head of Unity Workers Union and former Senator Caswell Franklyn – Blogmaster.
David the attached document is a spreadsheet showing the increase in salaries in the Public Service. Please note that the 10% increase in allowances for the politicians must be added to the column showing “Total Increase”. For example the actual increase for the Prime Minister $1,082.67 plus $456.99 increase in entertainment allowance for a total of $1,539.66 per month. Persons at the bottom of the scale would only receive $123.85 increase.
Caswell Franklyn
See PDF of the spreadsheet:
I seem to recall certain politicians, while in opposition, refusing an increase in their salaries as an act of solidarity with those at bottom who received nothing or precious little at the time.
Perhaps we will see similar acts of solidarity next pay day and people at the bottom of the scale could sleep a little better knowing that “we still in this together”. After all, this is who we are; Team Barbados.
My friends, come, gather around. All together now…
Kumbaya…
@Raw Baked
Does tokenism work? We have the example of this government maintaining a large cabinet to satisfy political demands rather than show the solidarity with citizens you mentioned. You observed how citizens marched in Israel to protest proposed changes to the judiciary? Local politicians will continue to ignore us because we are passive. Another example is when the government decided to squash Unity Workers union nurses protests.
“Be careful what you tolerate, you are teaching people how to treat you”!
Idris Elba.
Does tokenism work?
^_^
In Barbados?
Of course it works?
Did we not move ministers out of that large cabinet?
Did we not get an apology after the survey fiasco?
Was the Ashfall cleanup programme not terminated because it was a burden on taxpayers?
Are we not suitably impressed with the training opportunities made available to those displaced workers?
Man you too like rhetorical questions and playing Devil’s advocate.
Btw, we prefer to jump, but we will march when politicians tell us to.
How he cud seh dah?
^_^
Government’s display of callousness, insensitivity and contempt for Barbadians is demonstrated by Resolution which was laid in Parliament last week to raise salaries by ten per cent in a situation where public servants have not had a salary increase, bar increments, for the last 7 years. These Ministers are effectively telling the public who pay them and who they should serve that they cannot exist on a monthly salary of $13,000.00 plus travel and entertainment allowances plus over US$150.00 each day whenever they travel overseas as they frequently do flying first class. However, the DLP government is telling the electorate that the 1000s who have been fired from their government employment and are still unemployed as well as those who have not received their termination pay or even vacation pay after over two years must find a way to survive.
2016 no confidence motion debate.
One wonders when Caswell will tire of pointing out how certain classes of Bajans callously and vindictively exercise such disregard for the masses.
It is usually the political / legal tribe, or the employer / business cartel.
Bushie, on the other hand will NEVER tire of pointing out the brassbowlery of these ‘masses’ who not only accept such treatment, but LIONIZE the perpetrators, DEFEND their actions, and are ofter quick to chastise the likes of Caswell and Bushie for highlighting the brassbowlery.
ANY set of people who ELECT lawyers to represent them FULLY DESERVE to be screwed.
Lawyers, BY DEFINITION, serve those who pay them, and then they convincingly argues and prosecutes THAT case.
Why do you think that the two MAM’s now see ‘eye to eye’?
If poor people think that they can pay the lawyers in parliament better than the radical and busy millionaire-businessmen, then all power to those brass bowls.
If poor black people think that they can pay the lawyers / politicians more that the greedy overseas investors who are looking to make a killing… more power to the brass.
We had TWO genuine ‘non-lawyer politicians’ in the last shiite Government – Atherley and Caswell, and the brass bowls VOTED THEM OUT!!!
What does THAT tell you….? not that brass bowls LOVE to entertain shiite?
So can Caswell PLEASE explain why he is now making such a fuss that the brass bowls are being screwed YET again…?
LOL @ David
Bushie was deading wid laugh at a headline in BT about Massey recently.
The boss man was saying that they had NO PLANS TO PULL OUT of Barbados……
Wuh that was the VERY SAME thing that Bushie was telling a young girl a few decades ago….. um was TOO sweet.
LOL
@Bush Tea
What does Massy bring to the table except its contribution to the distributive and retail which helps to drain foreign currency reserves.
What does Massy bring to the table except its contribution to the distributive and retail which helps to drain foreign currency reserves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well….
-Lots of high end jobs for Trinis, both here and in PoS.
-Significant Forex for Trinidad, as they export their dividends & profits
-Firm markets for Trini farmers and suppliers, while Bajan farmers complain.
–We get to complain about high prices, to work as packers and cashiers,.. to be the occasional supervisor (watchman), and to brag about not supporting local chains.
–OUR Government (that we elected 60-0) got to close down village shops during Covid, while FORCING the brass bowls into Massy to be screwed…
Now de government is begging the new Massa for subsistence prices to enable the brass to eat…
Perhaps we now need to review who should be asked to ‘tek yuh meat outa muh rice’…
Bushie FULLY understands why Massy will not ‘pull out…’
LOL
They only just begin to ‘Wuk up…’
Do we agree increase in salary of politicians should be tied to public officers?
What about the elected “without portfolio”, Hinckson, Prescod etc Betchya they have to get something too?
Btw…whatever happened to the case against the former Deputy speaker, that featured in a video clip.
And…last week was supposed to be the hearing in Canada for Ingrid? Any local reports?
Niel Rowe case was scheduled for January 2023. We have to assume- as is usually the case- it has been pushed back.
Listening to Brasstacks.
David Ellis is the moderator.
Do we agree increase in salary of politicians should be tied to public officers?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Only in a land of brass bowls…
What kind of wisdom is associated with tying the salaries of DECISION MAKERS, to the pay of the minions that they pay – largely to secure votes, and ALL OUT OF THE PUBLIC PURSE?
So if I give the maid 10% of her $200 wages, then I get to pay myself 10% of my $30,000 per month salary? …ALL paid for by the lotta brass bowls who I have the liberty to TAX..?
How about tying politician salaries to PERFORMANCE?
…or at LEAST, .. to keeping the shiite promises that they make?
Nothing that we do actually makes any SENSE…. then again..
“Quos Deus vult perdere prius dementat”
https://barbadostoday.bb/2023/01/30/rowe-has-new-legal-team-to-return-to-court-on-march-20/
@NO
Is there a “former deputy speaker”? Isn’t the deputy speaker still on the job?
Sarge
I haven’t a clue.
As accused, and not convicted, he can keep his seat. Whether that also means keep his political roles, I don’t know.
“Do we agree increase in salary of politicians should be tied to public officers?”
The issue as I read it, is the elected and PS get remuneration categories beyond most public employees. These got a 10% increase in these areas, PLUS the 3%-3% as all did. Why not 3%+3% in the additional remuneration areas?
Clearly there is a conflict of interest. Yet, the alternative is a separate body to determine MPs pay, and you know this will be a political boondoggle.
“We gathering” here we come in 1925
Coverage of the 2023/25 Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals
https://www.instagram.com/p/CpyBxljpmd1/
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@ David
Is there any alternative method ‘government’ can use to those objectives as outlined by PM Mottley, other than borrowing money?
Good question Artax. Looks like the plan is to borrow cheap money to transform the economy to power itself (earn) at some point in the future. The existing infrastructure/model is not geared for Barbados to earn.
The prime minister added nurses to the list of public servants who qualify for cheap loans to purchase vehicles? Makes you wonder Caswell.
Is there any alternative method ‘government’ can use to those objectives as outlined by PM Mottley, other than borrowing money?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The alternative is to EARN the needed income, OR to ADJUST your standard of living to match your means.
Having objectives that are beyond your sustainable means, is having “champagne taste with mauby pockets”.
This is how PARROS are created… including ‘parry countries’.
Barbados, westmorland golf course, island life, will be featured on CNN at 8:30 this Saturday.
@David
Could you provide the list of public servants who qualify for “cheap loans”?
@Sargeant
Hopefully Artax or Caswell can respond to your question.
@ David
The question should be:
Is there any alternative method ‘government’ can use to ACHIEVE those objectives as outlined by PM Mottley, other than borrowing money?
We seem unwilling to enage in serious, rational discussion/debate about the economy or economic policy. Any attempts to do so, is often met with hostility and ridicule.
Also, I find some people make the fundamental mistake of comparing the national budget with that of an ordinary household, which often results in them making some very ill-informed comments.
Perhaps the ‘fallacy of composition?’
People are more concerned with balancing income and expenses. Deciding ‘to adjust their standard of living,’ does not essentially affect their income.
If they lose their job or there is a reduction in income, then, it beomes necessary for them to ‘cut back’ on expenses.
Government’s primary source of earning revenue is through taxation. Other sources are selling good and services.
An economy, such as Barbados, CANNOT EARN enough revenue to finance the provision of public goods and services…… as well as other government funded operations.
When a country experiences a recession, it would not be prudent for ‘government’ to reduce expenditure.
‘Adjusting,’ in other circumstances, may involve reducing expenditure. For example, ‘government’ announced its intentions to amalgamate the Welfare Department, NAB, Disabilities Unit and Child Care Board, which would reduce transfers and subsidies, but unfortunately result in the loss of jobs.
Additionally, ‘adjusting’ may also include allowing market forces to determine water and natural gas rates or bus fare…… or introducing a distance-graduated fare system, whereby fare increases in proportion to distance travelled on any particular route.
@Artax
Barbados situation is made worse given the poor state of the economy.
The politicizing of discussions about the economy is not unique to Barbados.
Did the prime minister dismiss Caswell’s concerns about the percentage increase in allowances for those at the top by suggesting the allowances are taxable?
An economy, such as Barbados, CANNOT EARN enough revenue to finance the provision of public goods and services…… as well as other government funded operations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Probably correct.
And this is for the simple reason that it is a mendicancy driven, sheeplike and effeminate economy, which is characterized by the kind of thinking that is based on ‘trickle-down economics’ from the ‘real-real’ people of this world.
The main characteristic that makes a ‘Parro’ a Parro is the internalized acceptance that he CANNOT EARN enough to make a living. That he is not ‘good enough’.
He therefore sells off his assets cheaply to others, thinking only of getting today’s bowl of soup.
Any country that is blessed with the kind of assets that Barbados has, and finds itself increasingly indebted to strangers, should realize that the problem is one of the mindset above, and that doing MORE of the same shiite that we have been accustomed to, will not get us any different results.
But of course our CREATIVE, innovative, disruptive, self-confident, change-agents have all been snuffed out by the shitty ‘eddykashun’ system, which has banished such ‘deviants’ to the Blocks and River Terminal, while the effeminate, compliant, mendicant, donkey-lickers are all ‘most honorable’ or some such nonsense titled misleaders in the doomed society.
@Bush Tea
There is no doubt a big part of our problem is the debt trap we have, creating an albatross, several reasons for it we have discussed in this forum for nearly 20 years. This is true for many regional SIDs.
There has to be a strategy to bridge current state and future state. We have to deepen and expand our conversations and analysis to be relevant.
David
Public sector employees whose job relies on the use of a vehicle, often described as ‘travelling officers,’ are usually the recipients of ‘government car or motor cycle loans.’
Welfare Officers, Technical Officers, Police Officers of a ceratin rank etc. Obviously, postmen, meter readers etc, would qualify for motor cycle loans.
Thanks Artax.
What are these so-called “assets that Barbados has been blessed with?”
The comments I’ve been reading about “assets” or “the family silver,” are usually made in reference to privately owned businesses that were sold by their owners to foreign interests.
@Artax
Do you agree we can spend all day discussing what got us here, the challenge will be and always be to make the leap. A big part of a successful leap in our case is to build capacity in the economy to intersect with opportunities presented in the global space.
What are these so-called “assets ….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Are you serious?
Off the top of the bush head…
-The most hospitable climate and geographical location imaginable.
-The most convenient topography that can be contemplated
– Historical (apparent) immunity from both natural and human destructive hazards that have visited EVERY one else that we know…
-The Sea Island Cotton asset
-The black belly sheep asset
-The rum /sugar /molasses legacy
-Small size and good communications assets
…steupss!!
Every shiite ‘bout here has been MAJOR blessings…
…except for the set of brass bowls living on the rock since around the mid 1970’s, when a lotta shiite graduates started to emerge from the Cave on the Hill – with their mendicant, inferiority complexes….
“Having objectives that are beyond your sustainable means, is having “champagne taste with mauby pockets”.
Yep…..and then some. .beyond ya means, elaborate fantasies and dreams…
@ King David,
Here’s a good article in today’s BT.
“Managed and unmanaged migration
It has been suggested that the small island of Barbados has too small a population and that since the natural birth rate has not been increasing at any appreciable rate, that we should look to some form of mass migration into Barbados. The figure of some 80,000 persons has been bandied about, but given the way things are now done in this country, no one seems to know where that figure came from. We, the citizens of Barbados, also do not know with any degree of certainty who will comprise the 80,000 ‘New Barbadians,’ where they are likely to come from and over what period of time.
It’s all as usual, hidden in the shadows or in the obscure calculation of some highly paid consultant who in his profound omniscience knows what is best for Barbados and Barbadians.
The importation of 80,000 new persons into a 166 square mile land space over a short or moderately extended period into a 290,000 population would have to be considered a mass movement of people. Linear logic or common sense would suggest such.
One of the most often heard imperatives for this ostensibly massive influx of migrants is to be able to buy more. Buy more of what? More imported wide screen TV sets, luxury cars, imported canned foods? What? How much will that produce in terms of net foreign exchange earnings? Two events over the past two weeks have exposed to Barbadians the possible negative outcomes from poorly conceived migration and investment policies. The first is the issue at Joes River in St Joseph where a foreign investor is building a hotel and in doing so has apparently decided to build a wall that it is felt is likely to exclude the native people of the area from their accustomed haunts. Unexpectedly, given the supine character of many Barbadians but happily, some locals have staged a protest, and the further construction of the restraining wall has been temporarily halted.
Thinking Barbadians may have to decide what developmental path they want to pursue. Foreign investment is an imperative as we need the foreign exchange, but the sale of this 166 square miles must be compatible with native interests. Much is talked about identity and heritage by persons who appear to lack a real understanding of either or both. The large-scale sale of Barbadian land in perpetuity to foreigners may create all the semblances of the old plantation system with a large black subordinate class surrounding a small white ownership elite. The Owen Arthur notion that land should fetch its highest value was utter nonsense unbecoming of the man.
The other, perhaps more disturbing, story of the past weeks is the tale of four non-nationals, two Jamaicans, a Trinidadian and a Guyanese who were squatting in the highly residential area of Goodland Christ Church. Not only had they used a bob-cat to clear a wooded area and had constructed a two-shanty dwelling, but were using water from the nearby apartment house they once rented but had been unable to keep up the rental payments on.
Three of the four non-nationals have now been deported, while the other is awaiting a response to his application for resident status.
The two occurrences mentioned above raise critical concerns related to open, unmanaged or unmanageable migration into Barbados, of which every Barbadian should be aware. It is suggested that Barbados should encourage wealthy migrants, so-called high net-worth individuals, presumably like the Australian owner of the property at St Joseph. Depending on how many come to Barbados, they might choose to survey the land and decide to rob us of our goodly inheritance with the consent of our exalted political leadership.
The other idea seems to be that we should open our borders to
all categories of workers. This poses two possibilities, neither of which is for our comfort. The first is mass movement of persons at the lower level could depress wages and drive the Barbadian working class into greater poverty. Even the strongest defendants of migration do not rule out a depressing effect on wages at least in the short term. This must be particularly true of a small country such as Barbados.
The possibility raised by the squatting story is that Barbados, which itself today has its fair share of struggling persons, could be plagued by an influx of foreign ‘scrunters’. Some of these, as in the press story, may be prepared to do anything to settle and earn a living in Barbados.
In some other regional states, there are large expanses of Crown and unsettled land where the practice of squatting is common. In parts of Jamaica, poorer persons are known to attach their houses illegally to the public and private electricity and water supply outlets. The four non-nationals arrested in Barbados seem to have been of this persuasion. This has not been the pattern in Barbados where, until now, squatting and shanty dwellings were not part of the topography. We have an increasing disrespect for law and order. The threat of unmanaged migration offers the prospect of increased delinquency and disorder. We must be wary of new pathologies creeping into our culture.
It is not surprising that one of the most voiced complaints in Barbados today is that native Barbadians are not sure where their country is headed. The new Republic appears to be already losing its way.
Ralph Jemmott is a retired educator and regular contributor on social issues.”
@TLSN
Ralph Jemmott needs to read the draft population policy.
Megaphone Mottley remains the queen of bullshit.
“Declaring that any investment must be “respectful of our people, our national spaces and traditions”, Mottley made it clear that there will be no private beaches in Barbados.
Stopping short of commenting on the ongoing spat between residents in St Joseph and a developer there, Mottley said it was necessary to have respectful conversations regarding developments across the island.”
“Mottley also announced that Barbados will welcome a “top-class” hotel brand to the west coast.
“We are going to see the relocation of the civic centre in St James, which is now on the beach…”
https://barbadostoday.bb/2023/03/15/investment-coming-to-town/
“A big part of a successful leap in our case is to build capacity in the economy to intersect with opportunities presented in the global space.”
David
Agreed.
Could you envisage the level of success for the Caribbean if regional territories unite to capitalise on those emerging opportunities?
@Artax
We can’t agree to common trade space, common air space, we don’t share resources in the sea for a common good etc. many big shares in small ponds.
“Is there any alternative method ‘government’ can use to those objectives as outlined by PM Mottley, other than borrowing money?”
The Marijuana
Activist Ras Simba from Barbados once said “The statement that agriculture and cannabis, hold more value than tourism to the Rastafari is truth. Rastafari has always held that agriculture which should include cannabis is more valuable than tourism. Tourists will always come for the sea, sun and sand. Tourism would benefit from a robust agriculture culture.”
Tru Jah Jah bless I with nuff a good vibes man
And true mi a di artist with di ganja inna di land
Make doctors get nuff meditation
And so dem coulda give it to dem sick patients
Make chemists get nuff medication
And so dem coulda brew new medication
Make singers get some inspiration
And so dem coulda spread Jah message pon di land
Me a chant
Yes I’m a ganja planter
Call me di ganja farmer
Deep down inna di earth where me put di ganja
Babylon come and light it up on fire
Me a chant
Yes I’m a ganja planter
Call me di ganja farmer
Deep down inna di earth where me put di ganja
Babylon come (watch out)
So me say ganja ganja ganja ganja
If you no want to call it dat call it sensimilla
If you no want to call it dat call it marijuana
If you no want to call it dat call it di indica
And for me bun it in a chalice or a sheet of paper
Lord
That’s how me love me ganja
I was going to ask who wrote the article, that they are so far behind in events and out of touch …by decades…then i saw the name at the bottom…hence the reason these who cant see what’s really happening for whatever social reason are never to teach my incoming generations anything ..to mislead them off the correct path.
“they might choose to survey the land and decide to rob us of our goodly inheritance with the consent of our exalted political leadership.”
Long ROBBED…decades now…….only thing left is the PUSH OUT.
…the coup de grace was the reparations scam….now relegated to the back with all the reveals queued up and waiting….since they made the biggest greed-filled mistake of their envious lives.
As well as anger you will detect a strain of madness
Did Mia mentioned the 185,000 new Barbadians? Be it in 1 year or in 40 year, that will be the the most radical transformation in the island of Barbados with possibly a drastic change in the racial composition in the island.
They are those who will use the neutral words of “welcoming diversity” but I will ask those same folks to point me to anywhere else in the world where a non-black ethnic majority welcomed blacks and willingly transformed itself to a black majority over a period of time.
In fact, the reverse is true.”Minority” invasion of black countries and then carving out large patches of land for themselves, fighting not only self rule but seeking to rule the country.
In Barbados we have seen this on a lesser scale where some block off bridges and access to beaches. Only fools could stand by and and watch access to the sea being eroded here and there. Every year we go through the silly battle of some “interloper’ blocking access to the beach. It bothers me that the smartest men/women in the world are so frigging stupid.
(Here comes 555 with his rubber stamps and labels. By now the fool should have realized he cannot silence me.)
@ TheOGazerts,
Just be happy that you lived in Barbados in the 50s and 60s.
I spent the first 19 years of my life in Barbados and for that I am grateful.
I have reached 3 score and 11 so I good.
I give up.
I was amazed at the number of times she was able to get those short hands around to pat herself in the middle of her back.
I tried but I couldn’t get it done even though my hands are longer than hers. I may have to go out and get some Bengay and Canadian Healing Oil for my shoulders.
More madness (certifiable)..
Do we really need a constitution? I was thinking that we seem to be doing well with whatever we have or don’t have. Why open up a new can of worms where we will have to fix the new constitution several times before we get it near right.
We are already aware that we have laws that we do not use (enforce) and we seem to be getting things done even when we don’t follow the law. Some judge might give us some financial penalties if things don’t work out right, but we can delay paying the penalties until the aggrieved dies.
I think we can do the something similar with the constitution or just make it up as we go along. Here are 5 key points that are needed
(1) Adults (insert definition) should not have sex with youngsters (insert definition)
(2) Lawyers should not get their hands on the bulk of their clients’ money. Theifing of a little bit is allowed
(3) No access to the beach should be blocked
(4) The tourist must always come first
(5) No more snap elections
Have a great Barbados
May you find your way or a path that makes us all proud.
@Sargeant
Here is your man.
Source: Nation
Good morning,
Just a reminder. Not meant as a negative comment.
Wasn’t there some magic number of houses in 5 years.
The calculation does not add up.