DLP responds to Gov’t’s efforts on COVID-19

The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has responded to the Mia Mottley-led Barbados Labour Party (BLP) efforts to help the most vulnerable as Barbados gears up to fight COVID-19 epidemic.

But while the DLP is seeking clarity on a number of concerns, President Verla DePeiza said the Party stands ready to assist the government as it pilots Barbados through this difficult period.

In a statement issued today, DePeiza commended government for the steps taken to shore up families on welfare with the additional $600 per month and the moratorium on BWA debt.

However, DePeiza wants to know what provisions are being put in place to ensure the capitalization of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), to enable it to service the demand for severance and unemployment benefits, in light of the shift in focus in the tourist industry from service to construction and with expectations that there will be lay-offs and terminations on an unprecedented scale.

“Will there also be debt forgiveness by the National Housing Corporation (NHC) during this disruptive period? Funding of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc depends on hotel room tax and departure tax; and SSA depends on monies transferred from BWA. Will they be brought back onto the books to be financed from the consolidated fund?

“Regarding the last minute commencement of various capital works projects given that the contracts were awarded outside of the tendering process, will there be the promised transparency and accounting to the people of Barbados, given that our limited resources will be strained even further by this crisis?”

The President said the DLP hopes that attending to these fundamentals, which seemed overloooked in the Prime Minister’s speech in Parliament on Friday evening, will in some large measure improve outcomes on the other side of this period. (AH)