It seems some Bajans would say and do whatever it takes to get a free drink and stay in politicians’ good books.
From what we were told, an example of such a situation played out at a popular watering hole a few days ago when some constituents of a Government politico gave him vociferous support as he explained the “painful” decision to axe 3 000 workers next year.
Then, within 45 minutes of his departure, the same people were slamming Government’s decision to cut the workers while being treated to some spirited refreshments compliments of an Opposition operative.
It started with a loud mouth regular lamenting to the ruling party big-up that the situation had reached the point where jobs had to be cut. Two others, also regulars at the St Michael spot, agreed with the first man. That prompted the politico to mount his soapbox.
He reportedly said it hurts him and every member of Government that such a move is necessary, but they have no choice. He said they kept people on despite businesses letting go workers. And he pledged that whatever happens, they would continue to help poor people as they were the party of Barbados’ poor.
The politico also slammed the Bees for not restructuring the economy when they could, as that would have gone some way towards ensuring the situation never came to this. He said this and the effects of the global financial crisis were responsible for the problem.
The three regulars gave the politico and Government kudos for holding strain so long and wished them well as they downed another drink.
However, when the Bees’ operative arrived and the drinks began flowing, the same three began singing a different tune about the job cuts.
One blasted the Government, asking how come the Bees were out of office for six years yet everything wrong was still being blamed on them.
Another agreed with the operative that the Bees were telling Government since 2008 that they were on the wrong economic path, but they wouldn’t listen. And he cried shame on the Government saying that they should be ashamed to be telling the Bees to come with ideas after they had ignored their warnings over the years.
Just goes to show the old saying about some Bajans is still true – they eat you out, drink you out, then vote you out!
Christmas meetings
Christmas 2013 will be remembered as a period of meetings on Government’s proposal to axe 3 000 jobs from their payroll by March next year.
On December 23 alone, three top-level meetings are planned.
In the first, the union will be putting forward even more proposals to Government to forestall or even reverse the need to layoff workers.
In the second, the private sector will be discussing the impact any layoffs could have and how they will respond in such an environment.
And for the third, Cou Cou understands the Opposition has been asked to hold meetings with select senior officials from both the union and private sector bodies to bring them up to speed on what they know of the economy.
From what we were told, the input from the Opposition is being sought as some in both entities are uncomfortable with the Government’s seeming lack of forthrightness on the true state of the economy and are seeking to get another perspective.
