The debate on the fiscal deficit, Government’s borrowing and how these can be reduced, continues.
But what is the true deficit figure? Considering the numerous supplementaries approved annually, the actual expenditure would be expected to be higher than the estimate and, as we all know, the estimated revenue is seldom ever collected in full. So, doesn’t that mean that the actual deficit is even higher than the frightening level reported?
Useful comments and recommendations have come from the Private Sector Association and others on what needs to be done, and we now hear at least one minister echoing these sentiments. But will sentiments become action or will the Government continue to “look at it”? That is the burning question, because time is definitely not on our side.
A big issue is Government spending, of which salaries constitute a major part. Government seems adamant that, in spite of borrowing to pay salaries, it will not lay off staff. But even the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW)?realizes that this may have to happen and Mr Denis Clarke is quoted as saying that “some Government offices may be over staffed”.
Were all staff really needed in the first place, or was it a case of “The Minister send me”? And what is their output?
How can we justify continuing to employ staff to maintain the Greenland landfill site which is already a $40 million burden when it serves no purpose? Why are we continuing to dump money into it instead of deciding on its future?
I seem to recall that in 2008, there were 28 000 public officers, now the union representative says the number is over 30 000. An increase of 2 000 during a recession! Of course, the swell occurs mainly at election time when people are looking for jobs rather than work. Certainly, there was a noticeable proliferation of Drainage Unit staff seen around election time.
One wonders, if they were original staff, what they were doing previously, and if they were new, where would the money to pay them come from, since the end of the financial year was approaching and Government was already borrowing to pay staff.
I trust that Government doesn’t think success in greening Barbados will be judged on the number of green Drainage Unit vests adorning the landscape.
While no one wants to see unemployment, right thinking people are wondering why only private sector workers must carry the burden of the recession, with people laid off or on reduced time, while the public sector seems to be immune.
Perhaps, instead of continually borrowing to pay staff, Government could use a one-off loan to assist some to start their own businesses and those who are alleged to have part-time businesses to go full time. Or perhaps take a leaf out of former Prime Minister Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford’s book.
The public sector has a reputation for wastage generally – it’s a tradition which will take determination to break. But some areas should be highlighted. There is overseas travel. Why must ministers and other officials travel so often, and with such large entourages? And what is the outcome, if any, of the travel? We seldom hear. Then there is the first-class travel. My position is that no public official from a small developing country like Barbados should travel first class or the equivalent.
Senator Irene Sandiford–Garner was recently pictured testing one of the upper class seats in a new aircraft. Hopefully, she doesn’t become too comfortable. We can’t afford these luxuries, especially now.
Then, there are the 11 overseas missions and the overseas tourism offices, all with luxurious accomodation. I doubt that all these people could be overworked, so couldn’t the two offices be merged?
There is the abused of the social welfare system. We must distinguish the needy from the opportunists. And welfare should be temporary, not a right for life, encouraging dependency.
I accept that Barbados is not only an economy, it’s a society, but if the economy is destroyed because of squandering on the society, where will we be? Has crime reduced significantly following these “entitlements”? I doubt it.
The more handouts available, the more people feel they have a right to a comfortable life without effort, and we all suffer for it.
• Dr Frances Chandler is a former Independent senator. Email fchandler@caribsurf.com