Bajans receive over $39m in Solidarity Allowance

More than $39 million has been disbursed to Barbadians under the government’s one-time Solidarity Allowance, Prime Minister Mia Mottley revealed on Sunday night, as she updated the country on the initiative’s progress.

Addressing a Barbados Labour Party (BLP) spot meeting at Weston, St James, Mottley said the allowance, whose distribution began on May 14, is a tangible sign of her administration’s commitment to “share the bounty” with the people, following years of national sacrifice during the economic restructuring process.

The prime minister’s remarks came in response to recent criticisms from Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne, who publicly condemned the manner in which the allowance was being disbursed. However, Mottley defended the initiative, stating that a wide cross-section of citizens have already received the $300 cash payout.

“On the 14th of May, pensioners from the NIS and the public sector, counting 55 908 people, all received their allowance to the tune of $16 772 400. In the Treasury, people working for central government, 15 134 people… they received $4.54 million, roughly. The state-owned enterprises, 11 794 people working there, received it in their bank accounts, $3 538 200. The private sector people [registered] with the Barbados Revenue Authority, 34 387 people received $10 316 000. On the 16th of May the NIS went again and gave now the private sector people from the NIS, 15 149 entities, they gave them $4 544 700,” she said.

She added, “Now you know what that adds up to? 132 372 Bajans in the last week got $300 in their bank accounts or credit union accounts across this country. That added up so far, to $39 711 600 being distributed to Bajans across this country.”

Mottley encouraged those who have not yet received the allowance to register by June 30. Registration can be done at the NIS headquarters, the General Post Office, and designated district post offices across the island, with a published schedule available to the public.

The Solidarity Allowance was introduced as a one-off financial support measure aimed at easing the burden on Barbadians amid rising living costs. The initiative is also seen as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the public’s patience and cooperation during the country’s economic reforms since 2018.

The prime minister also said, “Now if we had never done it, you would hear at the next election, “the government tell ya share the burden and never give you any bounty. I have come to the people of St James North conscious and confident that my Government has done well for the people of this country. Does it mean that we are finished? Absolutely not.” (SB)