The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) wants to know what is happening with the boards of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and secondary schools.
During a media conference recently at its Garrison, St Michael headquarters, general secretary Dennis de Peiza said many boards were not only non-functional, but no places were being offered to the Congress.
“CTUSAB has already made it very clear, as a national trade union centre, it should be given an opportunity to serve at that level on major national boards, wherever they are. So we’re not begging for anything; it’s something that should be a matter of course.
“Because you can’t have a national trade union centre in the matter of policy and governance and not be a part of all major interests in state-owned enterprises and other boards. It doesn’t make sense,” he declared.
De Peiza said CTUSAB’s research showed many boards were operating with just a chairman. He made it clear CTUSAB had a vested interest in governance, labour and protecting economic security given its role. It also envisaged a broader perspective of the labour movement beyond economic policies to include democracy and the rule of law to protect trade union rights, he added.
“It is for these reasons that CTUSAB pays attention to the operational efficiency of the Government, and the issues of transparency and accountability in the conduct of the business of the state. One of the matters of immediate interest to date would be the delay that has been experienced in any announcement by the Government of the appointment of boards of directors of state-owned enterprises since the General Election . . . held on February 11.
“From information available to CTUSAB, there is some uncertainty about the status quo of the boards of SOEs and boards of management of public secondary schools. It is our understanding that the lives of some have come to an end, while there has been the extension of the lives of others. In the absence of any communication from the authorities, CTUSAB is hazy as to what the accurate position is. The Congress stresses the importance of having functioning boards, inasmuch as these are important institutions which provide public services,” he said.
De Peiza said boards were too important to be a mystery, as board appointments set the tone for governance, and the appointment of directors for SOEs was one of the biggest levers a Government must make towards ensuring they worked well.
“It is also recognised that the proper functioning of boards is necessary to ensure the protection of public assets, and to avoid wastage and ensure compliance. Importantly, boards of directors, in having oversight, ensure that key performance indicators are achieved, that there is transparency in the management of processes which minimises, if not eliminates, any political interference. It follows that any attempt on the part of ministers of Government at micromanagement is to be frowned upon.
“In the interest of public information, CTUSAB urges the authorities to immediately disclose the status of the appointments of boards of directors of SOEs and boards of management of public secondary schools,” he said.
