Too much information tightly held from citizens

Access to credible, timely information is the lifeblood of an informed citizenry—an asset as valuable as gold, some argue. Yet, controlling the flow of information remains a powerful tool for governments, as those who dictate what the public sees and hears ultimately shape the fabric of society itself.

 

Media professionals in Barbados who grasp the vital role of freedom of information legislation recognise that its absence weakens public participation in safeguarding good governance.

 

Referring to the remarks of Anthony Greene, General Manager of the Starcom Network, during a Joint Select Committee of Parliament on the controversial Cyber Crime Bill, it is clear that Barbados needs not more restrictions on public expression, but greater access to information—especially regarding government activities. As the state acts on behalf of the people, citizens have the right to know what is being done in their name.

 

“A government that wants to bring cohesiveness around the issues of how people use devices and share information within the context of the advancement of technology could gather greater support . . . following up on the freedom of information [legislation] . . . . It projects a willingness to not just hear the people but to listen and act, and to lead by example in creating an enabling environment for responsible sharing of information,” was the admonition of the media manager.

 

We seek to make the connection between the issue of freedom of information (FOI) and the disclosure on Wednesday from the Immigration Department that it received almost 3 000 applications for work permits in 2024. This was after 2 194 applications were received the previous year.

 

The information was revealed at a panel discussion hosted by the Barbados Employers’ Confederation that included Immigration Officer Jennifer Callender, along with Director of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy Unit Leo Preville, Senior Immigration Officer Tricia Lashley, and Professor of Management and Organisational Behaviour at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Dwayne Devonish.

 

Their topic of discussion was Barbados: A Brain Drain Nation or Expat Haven?

 

What was particularly striking was the lack of reporting on how many of the nearly 5 000 work permit applications submitted over the 24-month period were actually approved by the Immigration Department.

 

It is notable that an employers’ union event was the medium that provided the platform for disclosing information that, in truth, should have been readily available and easily accessible to the public.

 

With concerns that youth unemployment and underemployment in many working-class households may be fuelling social discontent and rising crime, one must ask: Which policymakers are actively researching and assessing the impact of a high influx of foreign workers on social dynamics across the island?

 

Immigration representative Jennifer Callender disclosed that most of those finding work are coming from “China, India and Latin America, with the majority coming from Mexico, Colombia and Cuba.”

 

Many are beginning to question the country’s developmental trajectory as a growing number of its brightest young minds and trained professionals are leaving in search of better opportunities—while the island continues to attract labour from Mexico, Colombia and Cuba to work mainly in the construction sector.

 

Do we have information on how these labourers are assimilating in Barbados? How many of them have sought to extend their stay on the island or sought more permanent status? Do we know what wages these workers are receiving and how they compare to what Barbadian employees are paid for comparable jobs?

 

There has been a noticeable trend of Spanish-speaking individuals in communities across the island encouraging Barbadians to exchange their gold jewellery for items like televisions and electrical appliances. Given that the gold trade previously fuelled a crime spike, it is hoped that members of the Barbados Police Service are actively monitoring this practice.

 

Professor Devonish’s insights were particularly noteworthy, highlighting that low wages, underemployment among highly educated individuals, stagnant public sector salaries, and the high cost of living are key push factors driving young Barbadians to seek opportunities abroad.

 

We commend the Immigration Department for its continued efforts in progressive public engagement and modernisation. However, its recent disclosures also underscore the extent to which critical information—essential for public and media access—remains tightly controlled by the state and out of the citizens’ knowledge.