Good history with investors, says Caddle

Amid calls for Government to improve its monitoring of external investors, Ministry in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, Marsha Caddle is adamant that “most” business people entering the local market have “great respect for Barbadians and decent work”.

Caddle was responding to Barbados TODAY requests for an update on the abrupt closure of Cin Cin by the Sea, Primo Bar and Bistro as well as Hugo’s Barbados and its implications for 149 workers left on the breadline without warning.

Though Caddle along with Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Kerrie Symmonds were among the first Government officials to respond almost two weeks ago when the news first broke, she could give no update and said the Ministry of Labour would be better positioned to respond.

Efforts to reach the Minister of Labour, Colin Jordan and senior officials in the ministry were unsuccessful.

Nevertheless, Minister Caddle responded to recent suggestions from Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) General Secretary, Toni Moore who called on Government to be very vigilant of the types businesspeople allowed to invest.

According to Caddle, the country’s labour laws and investment policies are crafted with such situations in mind and have generally resulted in a very good history with investors attracting those who “actually care” about the country.

She added that leaders within the Mottley administration guided by Barbados’ fiscal incentives framework would continue to hold investors to a high standard.

“I think that there’s an employee rights act that governs how people should engage with their employees and in cases where that is not followed, there is recourse,” said Caddle.

The minister however stressed that laws must make provision for investors desirous of exiting the country’s market to do so in “the correct way”.

Efforts to reach Chaps Chief Executive Officer, Joanne Pooler for an update have also been unsuccessful, but Minister Caddle says that if found to be in contravention of the country’s labour laws, the relevant authorities would address it.

“I don’t think the situation has run its full course, so we will see whether the chief labour officer has to get involved. I can’t say that, but I am sure that the responsible authorities will make sure the right thing is done,” Caddle added.

kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb