Fellow Barbadians, as we welcome a new year, the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) extends warm wishes of hope, peace and prosperity to all. The arrival of 2025 offers a chance for reflection and renewal, and as we look ahead, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of every Barbadian worker.
CTUSAB remains steadfast in the fight for the enhancement of better working conditions for all. Decent work, grounded in fairness, dignity, and respect, is not only a goal but a necessity. We will continue to champion these principles in every sector, ensuring that all workers are treated with the respect they deserve and provided with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
This year, our advocacy will focus on critical issues impacting various groups of workers. We will persist in our efforts to ensure that the Government recognises the importance of early retirement provisions for Protective Services and Nurses, given the demanding nature of their roles. Their well-being is pivotal to our national security and health care systems, and CTUSAB will not waver in this pursuit.
We will also work tirelessly alongside the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Public Service to resolve the longstanding challenges faced by our doctors within the public health care system. For too long, their plight has been overlooked, and we are determined to bring about meaningful change in support of their essential contributions to our society.
In education, we will continue our collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, to address the pressing safety concerns and working conditions faced daily by our teachers. Their dedication to shaping the minds of our future generations of citizens must be met with unwavering support and protection.
Additionally, CTUSAB will remain vigilant in promoting the effective implementation of the Holidays With Pay Act, ensuring that all workers enjoy their rightful rest and recreation. This is not only a matter of compliance at all workplaces but a testament to our belief in work-life balance as a cornerstone of productivity and well-being.
Through our partnership with government, employers and workers, CTUSAB is committed to driving the labour market forward through the means of our social partnership. Together, we aim to stimulate economic growth, create opportunities and foster a work environment that uplifts every Barbadian’s way of living.
As we step into this new year, let us remain united in our resolve to building a Barbados that prioritises the rights, safety and prosperity of its people. On behalf of CTUSAB, I wish you all a peaceful, productive and prosperous 2025. Together, we will continue to rise, build and succeed.
