Independence Day Message: CTUSAB says freedom, equality and justice are critical to national sovereignty

General Secretary of Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations (CTUSAB)  Dennis De Peiza has urged citizens not to take their rights, freedoms and civil liberties for granted and to be fully engaged in the country’s ongoing development.

Below is the full text of CTUSAB’s Independence Message:

On 30 November, 1966, Barbados transitioned from British Colonial rule to an independent state. Now fifty-seven years onward, Barbados continues to proudly celebrate its sovereignty. On 30 November 2021, the nation enhanced its political status, when it transitioned to a Parliamentary Republic. This represents a ceremonial change, where an elected President, replaces the British Monarchy as the island’s Head of State.

Barbados as one of the sixteen independent countries of the Caribbean, joins with Cuba, Dominica Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago in acquiring Republican status.

Barbadians can take comfort in the fact that as a Parliamentary Republic, the nation continues to respect, promote and observe the ideals of a democratic society. Barbadians can identify with the fact that they reside in the Caribbean and Latin American region, where for the most part, there are democratically elected governments. It is therefore important that all Barbadians understand that the sovereignty of the nation rests with the people.

The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados, advises that it is imperative that the people of this nation ensure that their rights and freedoms are protected and preserved. Without doubt, they must maintain vigilance in guarding against any form of unilateral decision making and the practice of autocratic leadership in the political governance of the nation. It is therefore necessary to reiterate that freedom, equality and justice are critical to ensuring that national sovereignty.

Recognizing the need to guard the rights, freedoms and civil liberties granted under the constitution of Barbados, CTUSAB cautions the peoples of our nation, that they ought not to take their rights, freedoms and civil liberties for granted.

With the change to a Republican state, it is to be recognized that this has triggered the need for Constitution Reform. It is expected that at the centre of the discussion on the reform process, would be ‘new governance for new times.’ In a modern Barbados, the issues of democracy, transparency and accountability ought to be prominent features in the construction of a Republican Constitution.

CTUSAB identifies with the ideal of working towards achieving a fully developed society that is prosperous, socially just and globally competitive. The labour entity therefore voices its support for an inclusive governance model, that is intended to achieve the social and economic development of Barbados, through a genuine tripartite approach founded on mutual respect, trust and an acceptance of equality and social responsibility.

As this nation strives to maintain its tradition of good governance and political stability, Barbados by its practice of inclusive governance, underpinned by accountability of its stakeholders, where cooperation, promotion and maintenance of good standards are paramount, can continue to be a shining example to the world.