On May Day, there was a ceremonial signing to extend Protocol VI of the Barbados Social Partnership. This consensus-building accord was established in 1993 to address the discord arising from the imposition of wage and price controls in tough economic times. The actual partners are government, trade unions and the private sector.
In many quarters, this social partnership is viewed as a positive model for other countries beset with externally-imposed formulas for economic recovery. I, too, consider it a positive example of how powerful components of our society collaborated to forestall social unrest. A period of economic consolidation and prosperity was won.
Today, we are again confronted with harsh economic conditions that are more than five years in duration. The immediate prospects for recovery seem dim, with prices increasing, debts being defaulted and the government’s own creditworthiness being downgraded.
What are the contemporary agenda items for the meetings of this partnership? What examinations are being made to determine the reasons for its continued existence?
In recent years, the partnership has sought, among other things, to:
• Reduce social disparity
• Foster increased competitiveness through improved productivity and efficiency in the workplace
• Ensure the acknowledgement of the right to decent work
• Protect the economic interests and gains of Barbados in the regional, hemispheric and global economic environment
• Guide the successful emergence from the current economic crisis
• Pursue human development issues as it relates to health issues that affect economic development
There are specific initiatives that have emerged from the Social Partnership committees’ deliberations and recommendations, notably:
• The launch of the National Initiative on Service Excellence (NISE)
• Commitment to CARICOM Single Market and Economy
• Taking steps to support the Green Economy and reduce our carbon footprint
Given the makeup of the partnership and particularly the fact that three government ministries are directly involved; you can readily identify the sectorial advocates. This raises the question in my mind; from whence comes the spiritual guidance?
It is well and good to have ceremonial prayers at public meetings, hold the Bible in our hands when being sworn into office and hold “thanksgiving” services to mark key milestones; but to me, God does not have a place at the table.
The Social Partnership is clearly oriented toward commerce and economic prosperity but these do not occur of their own accord. This group has great power and influence over all aspects of our society. The way we have defined success is detached from God and each of these objectives and initiatives has struggled for traction.
I recognize that the “church” does not speak with one mouth but that is equally true of the other social partners. Moral and spiritual considerations must be a staple in the social partnership because issues of social disparity and human development are much deeper than the proffered “solutions” that have emerged from this group.
For example, when we see such a large segment of our society lacking the material necessities for daily life, you can also see many instances where blatant selfishness and abuses of power are unrepentant contributors.
The passage from misery and despair requires a demonstrated esteem for the dignity of others and a belief in something greater than the “wisdom” of man.
The Social Partnership should realistically engage us all. What we all have in common that we are children of God.
• Dennis Strong is founding president of the Caribbean Institute of Certified Management Consultants.
