#BTColumn – Keep the talk, madam PM

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today.

by Dr. Derek Alleyne

“It’s only words and words are all I have to take your heart away,” – Bee Gees

The above is taken from a famous song, Words, and so compelling were the words that several authors took the opportunity to make a recording in their own style.

The sweetness of the words came hurriedly into my thoughts as over the weekend of Independence the Prime Minister took the opportunity to bathe Barbadians with words to “steal their hearts away”.

All weekend, the voice of the Prime Minister could be heard delivering word after word to audiences, some gloating, but many confused about the context and the timing.It is not uncommon to have Prime Ministers bring a message at the Independence Day parade but all Saturday, Sunday, Monday and now Tuesday, the word is Mottley.

Is there no other voice or are the other voices devoid of articulation or timbre?

The silence of the other political operatives aside, the question that also requires answering was the value and the meaning of all these words.

Independence is a time of celebration but it is also a time for reflection and as I sat before the television on Monday morning I could only turn the instrument off as the PM promised the laid-off workers that they will get their severance payment and that she will move to get the NIS’ money from the employers.

Emptiness does not only mean hollowness, it can also mean soullessness.

When one considers that some of these workers have been laid off since March and April and would have exhausted their entitlements in August and September, why is the PM now telling them that she will move heaven and earth to get them their entitlements? Worse, the same PM provided $300 million to the same hoteliers as part of a COVID stabilization program (BEST).

Forget the changes sponsored by this government to the NIS and in particular, the Severance Payment Act. A government that has a soul and is compassionate would have not only provided support for the fund, extended the unemployment period, but have held a series of social partner meetings to thrash out the challenges and find options as the pandemic wore on and on.

But Mottley is about words, and the more she speaks the emptier they get. So much: “not bout here”, “not under my watch”, “this is who we are” and “we are in this together” – all just catch phrases designed to stir emotion.

When Ms Mottley was under pressure from the public to reduce the size of the cabinet, she relented but assured those disposed that she will find alternative sources of income for them.

All but one has been given lifelines. She has now promised defectors from the DLP that a bed will be found for them, and another consultant has been added to the scores that draw food from the treasury.

Government is about setting priorities and the workers in this country have been placed at the bottom of the list except when the list is about sacrifice.

Mottley did not hesitate when she introduced the BOSS, a call on public officers to make a contribution to the recovery effort, but at every other turn, the workers have had to fight and beg for what is their due.

Severance is not a handout, it is an entitlement, and telling workers that you will see that they get their entitlement is empty words, it is a provision of the fund. But telling them that you will recover the NIS money from employers is an empty promise.

Keep the talk, Mottley!

Dr. Derek Alleyne is a trade unionist, social commentator and member of the Democratic Labour Party.