Statement – CTUSAB on Protective Services Commission

The following is a statement by CTUSAB’s General Secretary Dennis De Peiza.

Dating back to the year 2012, the idea of the establishment of a Protective Services Commission was advanced by the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB). It was agreed then that this should be pursued on the grounds that the three constituent member units, namely the Barbados Police Association, the Barbados Fire Service Association and the Barbados Prison Officers Association had the commonalities of being placed under the same Ministry, having similar pay scales and conditions of service.

CTUSAB’s case for the establishment of a Protective Services Commission in 2012, was founded on the need to create a central authority. This position was supported by Section 3.26 of Protocol VI, which addressed the continued reform of the Public Service into a modern, efficient and independent organization.

The recent announcement by Prime Minister, the Honorable Mia Amor Mottley, of government’s intention to establish a Protective Services Commission is welcome news to the trade union movement.

As government moves to establish a Protective Services Commission, CTUSAB urges it to finalize arrangements for the establishment of a Teaching Services Commission as well.

CTUSAB refers to a decision taken by the Cabinet of Barbados under the last administration, that the proclamation date for Section 89A of the Barbados Constitution (Amendment) Act and the Service Commissions Amendment Act, which give effect to the establishment and operation of a Teaching Service Commission, would have been October 16, 2017.

It is also CTUSAB’s hope that the government will, as a matter of priority, undertake to address the outstanding matter of the Proclamation of the Police Amendment Act 2001-3, by committing to place it before the Cabinet of Barbados, for the purpose of obtaining the required approval for the assent of the Governor General of Barbados.