DLP urges caution on proposal to relocate circus to Garrison Savannah

The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is calling on the government to proceed carefully with any proposal to relocate the Suarez Brothers Circus to the Garrison Savannah, insisting that public health, worker welfare and regulatory transparency must guide all decisions.

In a statement issued by spokesperson on health Felicia Dujon, the party said the reported closure of the circus at the Belle, St Michael, and the consideration of the Garrison as an alternative site have raised several questions that the government must address.

Dujon said the circumstances surrounding the suspension of the circus’s operations “warrant clarification”, particularly regarding the public health and regulatory requirements that led authorities to intervene.

She stressed that health and safety must remain the primary consideration.

“Where health authorities determine that an operation does not satisfy the necessary requirements, those requirements must be addressed before the operation resumes. There should be no lowering of health, safety or environmental standards to accommodate any business or event,” she said.

The DLP argued that the situation also highlights legitimate concerns about the regulatory process itself. The public, Dujon said, deserves to know whether the circus underwent the relevant inspections before opening, what requirements were assessed, whether deficiencies were identified, and what specifically triggered the subsequent intervention.

“These questions are not intended to undermine the work of health officials. Rather, they are necessary to ensure transparency and public confidence in the regulatory process,” she said.

The party also raised concerns about the welfare of circus workers, noting that performers, technicians, drivers and other personnel, including migrant workers, are entitled to appropriate protections and decent working conditions.

“Barbados must apply a consistent standard: workers’ rights and occupational safety cannot depend on nationality or occupation,” Dujon said, adding that any assessment of a new location must consider not only patron safety but also the conditions under which workers will live and work.

The DLP said the government now has an opportunity to conduct a proper assessment before making any final decision. That assessment, it said, must consider public health, occupational safety, environmental, infrastructure, traffic and emergency management factors.

The party also raised the issue of financial responsibility and noted that the disruption to operations may have resulted in cancelled performances and other losses.

“Where losses can be demonstrated to have resulted directly from government action or decisions by government agencies, the responsible authorities should engage the operators to assess those losses and determine whether compensation is appropriate under the applicable legal and financial framework,” Dujon said. This, she added, is not preferential treatment but a matter of fairness and responsible administration. (PR)