Gov’t facilitating sectors in COVID-19 environment

Government is going the route of encouraging and facilitating sectors across the island to ensure that business thrives and employees are taken care of in this COVID-19 environment.

Acting Prime Minister (PM) Santia Bradshaw stated this as she addressed a series of questions posed by media representatives during a virtual press conference at Ilaro court on Saturday, that provided an update on the crisis.

In response to a query on the ability of ports to expedite clearance of items, the Acting PM, speaking specifically about the Barbados Port Authority, said this entity had been working closely with the private sector.

She added: “And, where there are any issues that have arisen in relation to the removal of items from the port that are necessary for, whether it is the medical side or anything that is urgent, they have been  facilitating the process. We have been receiving the requests and we have been responding accordingly to those requests; So, I am not aware that here is any delay in anyone having that necessary permission at this point in time.”

While acknowledging that discussions had also taken place with the private sector and particularly around issues faced by self-employed persons, Bradshaw disclosed that PM Mia Mottley had also engaged in discussions with the economic team.

She said that in the course of the next few days an announcement with respect to measures that would be taken related to this sector.

Queried about cases where national insurance contributions had not been paid in on behalf of employees leading to situations where the employees were then unable to access benefits needed during this COVID-19 period, she stressed: “We continue to encourage persons, especially employers to be able to make the necessary filings during this period.”