General Secretary of the Barbados Workers Union’s (BWU) Toni Moore is calling for decisive action to address what she describes as the mounting pressures of the rising cost of living, the inadequacy of the current minimum wage, and the exploitation of workers through precarious employment contracts.
Addressing the union’s 81st Annual Delegates’ Conference at Solidarity House, she noted there was a growing disconnect between economic indicators and the harsh realities faced by everyday Barbadians and urged both the government and employers to prioritise the well-being of the nation’s most vulnerable workers.
According to Moore, there was a need for a living wage, more awareness of the dangers of exploitative employment practices, and the recognition of the importance of solidarity in the fight for economic justice.
Regarding the ongoing challenge of the rising cost of living, the general secretary highlighted the disconnect between official statistics and the everyday experiences of Barbadians.
“How many people does tell themself de cost of living increasing? Don’t be shame. Every day I hear people saying my cost of living is increasing,” she remarked, pointing to the widespread public perception that prices continue to climb despite official reports indicating a slowdown in inflation.
Moore was particularly critical of the current minimum wage, which she argued is far from sufficient to meet the basic needs of workers. “A living wage isn’t about a person having to work two or three jobs or getting into overtime. A living wage is a wage at one job for the normal hours of work being able to afford all of these things,” she stated, emphasising that the existing $8.50 per hour minimum wage does not allow for a decent standard of living.
She also highlighted the union’s ongoing efforts to push for a revision of the minimum wage to reflect a true living wage, noting that while the BWU secured a minimum wage of $8.50 per hour and $9.25 for security guards in 2021, more needs to be done.
“From the beginning, we never felt comfortable with just getting a minimum wage. The Barbados Workers Union’s position was that we needed a minimum wage that reflected the living wage.”
In a scathing critique, Moore turned her attention to the rise of short-term and zero-hour contracts, which she described as a form of exploitation.
The union boss further explained the detrimental impact of zero-hour contracts, a practice where workers have no guaranteed hours or pay. “A zero-hour contract gives you more hours. On a particular day, a manager will call you and say, ‘Yeah, we need you to come in today from 12 o’clock.’ Others might tell you to come in at 12 o’clock, and we ain’t tell you when you ain’t home. So it really is a contract that guarantees you no hours and no pay therefore,” Moore explained.
She urged workers to join the union and consolidate their efforts to combat these exploitative practices. “Unity is strong. What they can do with one, they can do with many. United we stand, divided we fall,” she said, stressing the importance of collective bargaining in protecting workers’ rights.
The BWU also lauded the recent passage of the Labour Concessions Act, which requires hotel establishments receiving government concessions to improve conditions for workers. She pointed out that the standards set by this legislation are based on the BWU’s collective agreements, which have been negotiated over decades. “This is what the power of unity — a union — is able to achieve,” she declared, underscoring the significance of collective action in securing worker protections.
She reiterated the need for solidarity among workers and the union’s continued commitment to fighting for better wages and working conditions. “The work of justice continues to be our mission,” Moore affirmed, calling on all members to stand together in the ongoing struggle for fair treatment and a living wage. (RG)
