Est.2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

Banner promoting anonymous crime reporting with a phone and contact number 1 800 TIPS (8477), featuring the Crime Stoppers logo and a QR code for submitting tips.

JADA Construction fingered by union

JADA Construction

← Back

Your message to the BLOGMASTER was sent

CONTACT THE BLOGMASTER ONLY

The Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) was right to finally expose the inhumane practices inflicted on workers by JADA Construction. Reports indicate these were immigrant workers from Cuba, India, and Colombia – people who came here to earn a living, NOT to be exploited. What is even more disturbing is General Secretary and Member of Parliament Toni Moore’s admission that other companies are doing the same thing. This should be of concerned to us.

Employers will always try to cut corners to protect profit margins, it is the tension that exist between capital and labour, but when cost management crosses into human exploitation, Barbados we have a problem. This is not bad management or a company going with practices the affected workers are use to in home countries. This is abuse by OUR standards.

Moore is correct, JADA and several other businesses behave as if they are laws unto themselves. The PSV sector and the Barbados Bar Association/Disciplinary Committee are perfect examples of institutions that operate with impunity. Successive governments have allowed oversight bodies – including key government departments – to sleep at the switch for far too long. In a culture where accountability is optional, meritocracy cannot grow, and any pursuit of excellence is doomed before it starts.It therefore explains rising concerns about declining national productivity and a general laissez faire approach confronting the country

As Barbados approaches its 60th Independence anniversary, we must look at our mirror image an address an uncomfortable truth: we cannot celebrate freedom while tolerating modern‑day exploitation. Especially given our colonial history. If we are serious about nationhood, serious about dignity, and serious about progress, then this must be the moment we stop looking ignoring wrong things.

Are we there yet?

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

6 responses to “JADA Construction fingered by union”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    BWU’s eyes on JADA

    The JADA Group is in the crosshairs of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) following an investigation which revealed the inhumane conditions of migrant workers employed by the group.

    Yesterday, during the union’s monthly activation event in Heroes Square, The City, general secretary Toni Moore revealed it was the union which broke the case and publicly named the organisation involved.

    A story carried in Thursday’s DAILY NATION, containing a statement from Government confirming the matter, did not reveal the name of the offending company.

    “On Wednesday, we brought to the attention of the Social Partnership a very troubling occurrence, the fact that migrant workers in JADA Group were being undermined,” she said, adding they also had concerns about Infra Construction, which is also part of the group.

    Moore said the issue surrounded the living conditions of the JADA workers in Black Bess, St Peter, who are from India, Cuba and Colombia. She said it was those workers who approached the BWU to highlight their conditions, noting that thanks to some of their members being multilingual, they were able to communicate.

    “So what we showed by video to the meeting and what we said in that meeting, was just two minutes’ worth. But we have submitted contracts, payslips and we have asked the Labour Department to get the list of workers, to make sure nobody then takes the opportunity to ship them out, before it can be properly investigated,” she said.

    Moore said the images were so graphic that they prompted the meeting’s chairman, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, to immediately adjourn the Social Partnership session and accompany a team to investigate promptly. She said this was not the first time they had submitted similar concerns about a construction company, but in the past, the response had taken so long that when investigators arrived, the place was clean and the workers could not be found anywhere.

    She also questioned why the situation was allowed to reach that stage when the site had been inspected last year.

    “The Ministry of Labour has to give account on why, although an inspection was done in the barracks at Black Bess in December, that we could still go at the end of June, and find the situation even worse,” she said.

    Moore heavily criticised the response from JADA, which reported it was a cultural phenomenon.

    “I find it reprehensible, obscene and vulgar, even, that the company would try to make such an explanation for what was observed when those agencies went to confirm what we were reporting about the unlicensed barracks and all of the conditions that attended therein. That the company would try to reduce it to the cultural behaviour of people.

    “I think that is an . . . avoidance of corporate responsibility, besides being vulgar and obscene because what the company was in fact saying, that based on people’s cultural behaviours, we can bring them to Barbados, where we know better, and we want better for ourselves, but it is okay now to stain a country’s national reputation by treating people in the way they have,” she said. The general secretary outlined some of the contract discrepancies they discovered, such as a $25-a-week cleaning fee salary reduction, despite the facilities being filthy, a $50 retention fee so the company could recoup costs should the worker leave the company for any reason and a $100 airfare fee despite the contract stating the employer was to provide airfare.

    Moore said the relevant authorities had more than enough to take action, but the union would be watching and, should things not go as it thinks they should, would be ready to escalate.

    “What we, the Barbados Workers’ Union, have been unable to ascertain when we presented the information is exactly which projects, because the workers are not working on a single project, which projects they’re working on. That’s why we said that immediately there had to be an assessment of the registered people and what projects they’re working on and if it is possible to suspend those projects.

    “But in any event, what the Barbados Workers’ Union calls for clearly is that no more public projects will be awarded to this group unless the full information was known and understood by the authorities and they were sure, therefore, that JADA is coming to the business of public contracts with clean hands. I suspect not,” she said.

    Moore said the union was prepared to “let the authorities move swiftly without additional pressure, noises or distractions” but assured, should they not be satisfied, they would “make good on the instruction that has been given by the Executive Council of the Barbados Workers’ Union since last year.”

    In last Friday’s Weekend Nation, Minister of Labour Colin Jordan said his ministry would be carrying out more inspections of the living quarters and working conditions of migrant labourers on construction sites, alongside the Ministry of Health. He said this was as a result of Wednesday’s highlevel intervention led by Mottley on the living quarters of 80 migrant workers.

    He said the workers were ordered to be relocated.(CA)

    This is a part of the kitchen in one of the living quarters for migrant workers at the Black Bess site. (GP)

    Some food, including these ground provisions, were stored on the ground. (GP)

    Part of the shelving space used for storage for items belonging to migrant workers. (GP)

    Source: Nation

  2. David Avatar
    David

    Maloney Group denies involvement in site

    Following recent public scrutiny over substandard living conditions for migrant workers at a local construction site, the Maloney Group has categorically denied any involvement in the development while urging Government to establish formal accommodation standards for the sector.

    “We wish to state clearly that the site in question is not affiliated with the Maloney Group, Preconco Limited or any of our operating companies,” it outlined in a statement.

    Adding it was monitoring the situation, the group stated it was “troubled by these reports” but welcomed the Government’s “prompt attention to the matter”.

    The Maloney Group, operated by construction magnate Mark Maloney, called for industry-wide regulatory changes, pointing out that the controversy underscores the need for clear, enforceable rules across the construction sector.

    “We believe Barbados would benefit from a comprehensive, worker-centred framework establishing minimum requirements for space, privacy, sanitation, water, safety, amenities and health protections.”

    Bureaucratic hurdle

    It suggested that any new framework should not become a bureaucratic hurdle for compliant businesses. The company advocated for a system “supported by sensible registration, inspection and reporting mechanisms that protect workers while minimising unnecessary administrative burden on responsible employers”.

    Highlighting its own practices, the Maloney Group said it maintained safe and dignified conditions for all workers on its sites, as this was a benefit to both the workforce and the island’s wider economy.

    “We regard this as both a fundamental obligation to our workforce and sound business practice, supporting productivity, retention and Barbados’ standing as a jurisdiction that values decent work.”

    The company said it was prepared to partner with Government agencies to make the new regulations a reality. (MB)

    Source: Nation

  3. David Avatar
    David

    It is good to hear some ‘noise’ being made about work permits. What is better will be when visible action is taken.

    Bar calls for broader work permit regulations

    The recent investigation into the living quarters of 80 migrant workers with a construction firm has reignited debate over who should have the authority to inspect and monitor foreign workers in Barbados, with the Barbados Bar Association (BBA) calling for an expansion of enforcement powers beyond the Immigration Department and police.

    Attorney Lynne-Marie Simmons, appearing before Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on Economic and Productive Sectors on Friday alongside other members of the BBA, drew a direct line between the controversy over the migrant workers’ conditions and the provisions of the Immigration Bill, 2026, arguing that the current framework for inspections and penalties might be too narrow.

    “In light of what has transpired this week, I’m suggesting that we revisit how we’re treating the penalty section as it relates to work permits,” she said.

    Simmons zeroed in on Section 30 of the current Act, which requires a person to whom a work permit is issued to produce it to an Immigration officer or a member of the police service on demand or within three days of such a demand.

    “I’m wondering if we should not expand that to include, for example, someone from Labour or NIS (National Insurance). It’s just a suggestion to expand the purview of it,” she submitted.

    The lawyer asked whether it made sense to limit inspection authority on construction sites solely to police and Immigration officers, given that the Labour Department and the National Insurance and Social Security Service already operate in tandem with the Immigration Department in the migrant worker space.

    In response, Minister of Home Affairs Gregory Nicholls made it clear Government’s position was that immigration enforcement must remain squarely within the hands of the Immigration Department.

    Revealing that he had held internal discussions with the Immigration Department on Wednesday, the minister walked the committee through the full life cycle of a work permit to make his point.

    “The question of the supervision of the entire process from the application, the grant of a work permit or the denial of a work permit; the question of whether the conditions attached to a grant of a work permit; the question of whether there is a short-term work permit – because there are short-term work permits that are granted or applied for – those are immigration matters,” Nicholls said.

    He acknowledged that the Immigration Department relied heavily on data from multiple external sources when making determinations, naming the Labour Department, the Barbados Statistical Service, the Central Bank, Barbados Manufacturers’ Association, the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture as key contributors of labour supply information.

    “But the administration of the Immigration Act is an immigration function, and therefore it will remain within the purview of the Immigration Department under the management of the Chief Immigration Officer to conduct all inspections, to ensure that the immigration laws of Barbados are being complied with, and that if any permits are granted, that the conditions attached to the grant of those permits, whether those conditions are being satisfied, is ultimately an immigration issue,” he insisted.

    Nicholls warned that allowing other agencies to perform immigration functions could create a problematic blurring of institutional responsibilities.

    “If we start to allow the Labour Department to determine whether or not a permit should be granted, or whether or not the conditions exist for the permit to be sustained, or renewed, or revoked, or whether or not the conditions are being observed as labour standards, then we’ll be asking labour officers to conduct what is really the functions of the Immigration Department,” he cautioned.

    The minister stressed the importance of clarity in Government operations. “Government must run in a tight, compact way where there is clarity in terms of one’s legal obligations under the law, and to what extent you can exercise your powers as a citizen, or as a civic employer within the state,” he said.

    At the same time, he noted the importance of collaboration. “So we understand that we have to collaborate with other departments and other agencies. In fact, the Immigration Department has to collaborate with international partners to secure borders for the Regional Security System and other international agencies also. But the immigration decisions are ultimately that of the Immigration Department.”

    He also disclosed that the Immigration Department was undergoing a structural overhaul, including the creation of a dedicated migration section. (MB)

    Source: Nation

  4. David Avatar
    David

    Is the labour lawyer Michelle Russell being overly cautious in her advice or an apologist.

    Sanctions for non-compliant construction firms

    Over the past few months, I have written several articles about the need for greater monitoring of the construction industry. I have expressed that the informal nature of the industry causes many labour breaches to go unnoticed or unreported. I have expressed concern that many employees within the construction industry do not receive written contracts, statements of employment particulars or pay slips, even though these are mandatory requirements under the Employment Rights Act (ERA).

    They are often laid off or made redundant without compliance with the procedures in the ERA. I have even highlighted that many construction sites do not provide cool drinking water or toilet and changing facilities for their workers even though these are mandatory under the Safety And Health At Work Act.

    Even many who obtain Government contracts are unaware of their obligations under the Labour Clauses (Public Contracts) Act. For these and other reasons, I have advocated for more oversight of the industry to ensure greater compliance with labour laws.

    I believe these breaches stem mainly from a lack of knowledge of pertinent labour laws, rather than from deliberate action or malicious intent on the part of the employers. However, ignorance of the law is no excuse. Like all other employers, those within the construction industry, even the small contractor, must familiarise themselves with their statutory obligations as employers.

    On Thursday, July 2, this newspaper reported that “a high-level Government team led by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley descended on a construction site . . . discovering 68 migrant workers living in deplorable, inhumane conditions and promptly gave the company just hours to clear them out.”

    According to the article, the construction firm had failed to obtain a barrack licence and therefore had no legal right to house the workers. This underscores my point that ignorance of the law is no excuse and will not absolve an employer from liability. Following the visit and a subsequent meeting with the construction firm, the Minister of Labour issued a statement advising that “the Chief Labour Officer and Chief Medical Officer were standing by to levy any statutory penalties” and that “breaches of the law must be addressed”.

    He said that Barbados would not tolerate the exploitation of workers and said that legal redress was “no substitute for ensuring that there is immediate addressing of flagrant breaches of good industrial relations practice and decent working and living conditions”.

    I applaud the union for raising this issue and the swift action of the Minister of Labour and the Prime Minister. I am even happier that the minister has indicated an intention to enforce statutory penalties as these penalties are often not utilised or are underutilised.

    However, care must be taken when publicly chastising non-compliant employers, particularly when investigations are ongoing. Based on the article, the management of the construction firm indicated that the Ministry of Labour visited the site in December. There is no report that the barrack licence was advised or requested.

    While it is the sole responsibility of an employer to familiarise itself with necessary laws and requirements, I imagine a site inspection should also include a request for sight of any necessary licences. Did this fall through the cracks? Public chatisements can be a deterrent for breaches, but it may inadvertently discourage potential entrepeneurs from “setting up shop”, resulting in fewer jobs or job losses which will affect Barbados’ current low unemployment rate.

    Perhaps training on labour laws should be a mandatory pre-requisite for all new foreign and local companies to conduct business. Furthermore, the passion for compliance with labour laws should be expressed to all employers, including the public sector. The press constantly reports instances where the Government, as employer, fails to adhere to varying health and safety labour laws. Yet I have seen no statements threatening penalties for their breach.

    On another note, why are so many political posters still on the utility poles despite the Barbados Light & Power’s several requests for their removal?

    Michelle M. Russell is an attorney with a passion for employment law and mental health. Email: mrussell.ja@icloud.com

    Source: Nation

  5. David Avatar
    David

    A related matter we in Barbados should also take on board. A word to the wise should be sufficient.

    Diplomatic passports under review

    PORT OF SPAIN – Government has announced a comprehensive review of diplomatic passports after concerns were raised by foreign counterparts over the issuance and possible abuse of the documents, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said.

    According to the Guardian, Persad-Bissessar said the exercise had revealed that 985 people had diplomatic passports, despite most of them not meeting the established criteria.

    “The Government was requested by our foreign counterparts to look into the issuance and abuse of Trinidad and Tobago-issued diplomatic passports,” Persad-Bissessar told the newspaper.

    “Upon investigation, it was revealed that 985 people possess diplomatic passports despite most of them not meeting the criteria for holding these passports.”

    She said the review was an administrative exercise and was not directed at any one individual.

    The prime minister confirmed that former prime minister Keith Rowley would be required to surrender his diplomatic passport, a day after another former prime minister, Stuart Young, said he had also been instructed to return his. Persad-Bissessar said bearers of diplomatic passports are required to return them to the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs when their overseas postings conclude, they retire, or they leave the qualifying political office.

    “He (Rowley) is retired, and he is not representing the country in an official capacity. Therefore, he should not be in possession of a diplomatic passport,” she said.

    According to the Guardian, Persad-Bissessar said officials from the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs would contact Rowley in due course and that he would be issued an official passport instead of a diplomatic passport.

    She explained that some current holders would retain diplomatic passports because they continue to qualify, while others would receive official passports or revert to ordinary passports.

    “MP Young will therefore receive an official passport instead of a diplomatic passport,” she said.

    “Some other persons on the list will also receive official passports instead of diplomatic passports, some will be removed entirely and given ordinary passports, and a few will retain their diplomatic passports.”

    Persad-Bissessar rejected suggestions that the exercise amounted to punishment.

    “This is not a downgrade or any indication of wrongdoing by anyone who is being affected. It is simply corrective action being taken,” she said. (CMC)

  6. David Avatar
    David

    Not sure if some of us believe that various actors in the oversight bodies including the union, labour department and politicos would been unaware about the practices now exposed. Timing is every thing.

The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.

Trending

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading