I READ WITH INTEREST the article Bynoe’s Remedy in the last WEEKEND NATION. Andrew Bynoe’s suggestions are aimed at helping Barbados’ socio-economic situation. As a businessperson myself, I support his suggestions and I would like to contribute some of my views too.
Firstly, stop adding more taxes. Instead, give more incentives to businesses to encourage them to invest more into Barbados.
I would say Government should get rid of the tipping fees imposed on the garbage removal, and instead introduce a standard conservancy fee of say $20 a month on all households, and businesses should pay a standard charge of $50 a month, to help defray the cost of garbage removal across the island.
This can be attached to their water or electricity bill.
This might help stop indiscriminate dumping in remote places by parties trying to avoid the tipping fee. All Barbadians and residents should start to curb their use of plastic bags, or at least reuse them. They should dispose of bags and styrofoam cups and food trays in proper bins. Stop littering!
Litterers contribute to blocked drains, whose stagnant water promote mosquito-related diseases and cause flooding.
We need to curb smoke emissions from vehicles, as well as indiscriminate burning of garbage in residential areas. These are unhealthy and contribute to respiratory problems.
Government should develop proper drainage and waste water treatment systems. Barbados has good water and enough for the whole island. It is a matter of installing proper infrastructure to collect, treat and distribute clean portable water islandwide.
In addition, make patients pay a nominal fee for using hospital and outpatient medical services. Students at all educational institutions should pay for their courses, except those who qualify for a bursary or financial grant or scholarship.
Furthermore, cut the wage bill. Singapore did a wage cut during an economic crisis many years ago. I remembered it worked and even today, employers who are in financial tightness, freeze or reduce wages, if necessary, rather than make workers redundant. And in good times, wages increase accordingly.
The extra mile
Employees too have the responsibility to be efficient and increase productivity. Efficiency also means be at work punctually – you should be at your desk at 8:30 sharp, ready to take the first call or attend to customer. Not walking in at 8:30 a.m. or 8:40 a.m. and proceeding to the rest room for another five to ten minutes.
And in circumstances when the shop or office is busy, employees can be considerate to stay on an extra five to 20 minutes to help their colleagues, or to finish attending to the customer. Yes, they are entitled to their hour for lunch, but sometimes one has to give and take, and help get things done. That extra mile goes a long way; it reflects the customer service of the company and contributes to productivity and encourages loyalty from the customer.
Employers need to be fair and recognise and reward efficient, productive employees, and find ways to uplift their quality of life. Encourage employees to improve their skills and further their careers.
Other suggestions are:
Collect road tax at the pump – unprecedented, but a good idea.
Road tax paid, with at least five months remaining to expiry, should be allowed to be transferred to another vehicle. My road tax had eight months remaining and was not allowed to be transferred to another vehicle, although the same registration number was used.
Pay VAT refunds, NIS benefits in a timely manner so businesses and individuals will not be constricted in their cash flow.
Liberalise foreign exchange. Allow any individual to buy and sell United States and Canadian dollars, as well as British pounds, over the counter at the banks. This will discourage any opportunity for black market money changing to develop.
– DORA SONG
