The Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector, Colin Jordan has issued a statement following the announcement by the Ansa McAl Group of Companies that Berger Paints will cease operations in Barbados on April 24, 2026.
Minister Jordan highlighted concerns over both the legal and human impact on the 44 workers affected by the closure.
Below is the full statement:
The Chief Labour Officer in my Ministry was informed on Tuesday, February 24, by letter from Berger Paints that it would be ceasing operations on April 24, and that consultations would take place, starting on March 3. The letter also spoke to a commitment by the company to honour all obligations to workers under our laws.
This development is concerning, not only from a legal perspective, and I have a concern there, but from a human perspective as well.
I am aware that businesses have to address matters of viability and profitability, and these are important considerations. An unprofitable business will not last very long. I am also of the view that good corporate citizenship demands that significant consideration be given to the people, the human beings, who work in these establishments building value for the owners. The forty-four affected workers are people who have families and other dependents to support and provide for. I have not seen any information that suggests the business was unprofitable. Sending home workers or shutting down operations should not be the first or preferred course of action in small economies and small countries like ours. It is NOT the Bajan way!
The matter of consultation is also one that is of concern. The law requires six weeks of consultation. Good practice and legal rulings suggest and mandate that the consultation must be meaningful. I am not sure how meaningful consultation can be if a decision has already been made and if it appears to be written in stone. On the legal side, therefore, my concern is that the announcement may tarnish the ability of the company and the trade union representing the workers to have meaningful consultations.
I must also stress that in Barbados we recognise the trade union movement as representatives of the workers in establishments. Trade unions must be allowed to do their work of representing workers. We will accept no less from any employer in this country.
We expect Berger Paints and all other employers in Barbados to do right by our country and to do right by the workers who build and maintain their establishments. My Ministry will continue to monitor this situation very closely.
