PM: People must matter for economic growth

Barbados will not see sustainable economic growth if employees are not treated in a dignified and respectable manner, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has contended.

Addressing the Williams Industries Inc. 50th anniversary cocktail event at Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St Michael, on Sunday evening, she said one of the roles of her government is to guarantee fairness, accountability, and transparency for those working in the private sector.

“This country will not grow unless companies and households cause it to grow. Equally, this country will not have sustainable growth unless we carry along the workers in a way that is dignified or in a way that allows them to be part and parcel of sustainable [growth],” she told those gathered for the celebration, including well-known figures in the local business community.

Mottley added that the country needs now, more than ever, to continue to invest in social capital in order to see necessary growth.

“We are at a unique point in our journey. We have invested and we will continue to do so in the social capital, largely because of our journey as a nation. Unless we carry our people and allow them to be the best that they can be, we will not have the kind of growth that is necessary to carry us to the next level,” she said.

In this vein, the Prime Minister said she respected the Williams Industries model which she said reflected the kind of partnership with workers that is needed to take the country forward.

“The ability to ensure that those who are workers can share in the profits, first as employees in productivity but then thereafter in the capital appreciation in shareholding, is such an amazing statement of faith,” she said, in commending the Barbadian company.

During the event, founder and chairman of Williams Industries Ralph Bizzy Williams explained the value of his team and expressed gratitude for the support he had been given.

“My biggest God-given blessing has been my understanding from the very beginning that no man is an island. Leaders are only as successful as the teams that surround them and support them. So, I have always surrounded myself with many women who [are very supportive],” he said.

“The next biggest blessing that I received was my understanding that the secret to success is giving more for less,” he added, noting that had been a driving factor for him in business over the years.

During the night, the successful businessman had his beaming wife Shelly Williams at his side as many partners lauded him for his excellence in business affairs over the last half a century.
(MR)