Safe zones: BPSA says ‘livelihoods under threat’ need protection

The Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) is firmly backing efforts by the business community to implement ‘safe zones’ to protect workers and patrons from COVID-19.

In an interview in which BPSA President Trisha Tannis expressed concern about Government’s failure to present a National Budget for more than two years, she declared that efforts must be taken to protect businesses at this critical economic juncture.

Earlier this week, the Mia Mottley administration struggled to roll out the first phase of the Safe Zones programme that would have required frequent COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated employees. The initiative was however placed on hold, to facilitate consultation with key stakeholders around concerns about the implications of the wording of the Emergency Management (COVID-19) (Safe Zones) Directive 2021.

On Thursday, in response to the delays, the Barbados Dental Association’s president Dr Vidya Armagon presented an alternative.

He outlined that private sector entities would require all patrons to be vaccinated, take a COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours before entering the establishment or pay for a rapid test when they arrive.

Their employees would have to take one of the four COVID-19 vaccines on offer in Barbados or be subjected to a PCR test weekly.

When asked whether such an initiative would be supported by the BPSA, Tannis told Barbados TODAY: “Yes the BPSA strongly supports the expansion of testing regimes across a wider definition of frontline employees in the first instance, particularly over the peak season where the livelihoods of employees are under significant threat given the untenable and unpredictable daily disruption across the business sector.

“If the current situation continues unabated with business closures dotted across the private sector during the two months that can define the entire fiscal performance of certain sectors, 2022 will again commence weakly in those sectors,” the private sector leader warned.

At the same time, Tannis described the safe zone implementation on Government’s part as “extremely concerning” noting that “time is against us”.

Also concerning, she said, is the absence of a National Budget for over two years, given the “material change” in the country’s economic performance since the last one was presented.

“We are aware that the revised TMU (Technical Memorandum of Understanding) IMF (International Monetary Fund) targets under the BERT programme are being met but a budget expands and elaborates on the strategies to be employed to assist in the achievement of those targets,” contended Tannis.

“It is critical for strategic planning and transparency both at the macro and micro economic levels,” she added.

Democratic Labour Party President Verla De Peiza has also taken aim at the administration’s economic management calling for urgent action on behalf of key economic sectors and the general public.

In a statement on Friday, De Peiza blasted three massive loans from the European Investment Bank, the Government of China, and the IMF to the tune of US$223 million, as well as monies spent in what she called the “vaccine fiasco” and the acquisition of 150 prefab houses from China.

“We know for sure that Ms. Mottley does not like to take advice from others. But when will she take her own advice?” asked De Peiza.

“The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) calls upon the Prime Minister to present a Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposal as a matter of urgency.

“Her large group of finance advisors and ministers must be reminded that 30-0 is not 100 per cent.

“This ship of state is rudderless and sinking fast,” the DLP president warned. kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb