FOUR CASES COME HOME Thursday June 11, 2020 - UFDC Image Array 2
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Established October 1895
FOUR CASES COME HOME
Thursday June 11, 2020 $1 VAT Inclusive
AFTER 17 days with-
out any new confirmed
cases of COVID-19, that
streak was ended after
four of the Barbadians
repatriated from the
United States on
Tuesday tested positive
for the virus. With
May 22nd marking the
last new case, four of
the 110 persons arriv-
ing home this week put
the numbers back up
after the 187 tests con-
ducted on Tuesday.
This information was
revealed during a media
conference yesterday at
the Ministry of Health and
Wellness by Minister Lt.
Col. Jeffrey Bostic as he
gave the numbers to date.
Noting that the three
women and one man were
now in isolation at the
Harrison Point facility,
bringing the total number
of cases recorded in
Barbados to 96, Minister
Bostic also revealed that
two of the four persons
who were previously in
isolation went home yes-
terday.
With these new cases
sure to raise some concern
among members of the
public, Minister Bostic
said that they did not
come as a surprise. “While
of concern, these results
have not alarmed us. The
Concerns about lack of NIS reviews
Senior Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Dr. Arthur Phillips (left) and Dr Corey Forde (right) look on as
NEW CASES on Page 3 Minister of Health and Wellness Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic addressed members of the media yesterday.
AN Opposition Senator is done on the National placing more pressure on and the negative impact backdrop of less benefits explaining that given the
concerned about the ab- Insurance since 2016, the the Fund, I think Sir it that will have on social coming in because of the predictions for the 2020
sence of actuarial reviews country is operating maybe time that the ac- security benefits, one has lower employment levels, Atlantic Hurricane
on the National “somewhat blindly” as it tuarial review is actually to wonder how those then as I stated, I think it Season, that it will be
Insurance Scheme (NIS), relates to the real finan- legislated and that I things will impact on the is time that maybe, possi- well above average, it is
and is suggesting that cial position of the think would have been a NIS and its ability to bly, we legislate actuar- important to know
such reviews should be National Insurance. good addition to this Bill meet its obligations. With ial reviews for the Fund. whether the country is in
provided for in law. Drakes said it was vital this morning,” she stated. that in mind, she again And if it is already legis- a financial position to re-
Senator Crystal Drakes that the financial viabil- Her comments came as said it is imperative that lated then, why hasn’t spond to a severe
made the comments dur- ity of the NIS be known, she said that in addition there is mandatory actu- the right action been weather event. She said
ing the debate on the especially given the to the government’s debt arial reviews done on the taken to address this im- this is especially impor-
Catastrophe Fund Bill downturn in the economy, restructuring which im- state entity. mediately and those who tant to know as well,
when the Senate met yes- which has resulted in less pacted the NIS by as “If we are also saying are responsible for the given that the
terday. While reflecting contributions coming in. much as $1 billion; the that we have had no actu- Fund, being held ac- Catastrophe Fund is ex-
on the Catastrophe Fund, “Now that we have the over 40,000 unemploy- arial reviews since 2016, countable?” she stated. pected to assist busi-
which is managed by the significant impact of over ment claims being we now have an economic Her comments came as nesses experiencing fi-
National Insurance, 40,000 [unemployment] processed, and the con- catastrophe on our hands she called for an update nancial difficulties as a
Drakes lamented that claims being processed cerns raised about the with millions of dollars on the current value of result of the covid-19
with no actuarial review through the NIS and low population growth are being paid out on the the Catastrophe Fund, pandemic. (JRT)
US Embassy donates PPE
2 • Thursday June 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate
to CDEMA and the
Regional Security System
US Coast Guard through the U.S. military’s Elizabeth Riley, Executive
Commander Steve Humanitarian Assistance Director (ag) of CDEMA.
Charnon, Senior Defense Program (HAP), is being “This donation is an ex-
Official at the U.S. transported from the ample of partnerships in
Embassy in Barbados, for- Regional Security action.”
mally handed over System’s headquarters to The supplies include
US$104,000 of COVID-19 the national disaster re- 1,000 surgical masks, 500
personal protective equip- lief agencies of Barbados, face shields, 250 protective
ment (PPE) to the Dominica, Grenada, St. goggles, 1,200 latex gloves,
Caribbean Disaster and Kitts and Nevis, and Saint 1,000 shoe covers, 4 swabs,
Emergency Management Lucia. Thanks to assis- and 87 hazmat suits.
Agency (CDEMA) and the tance from CDEMA’s These will be packaged for
Regional Security System Regional Coordination each country and issued
during a ceremony on Center and Regional to the National Disaster
Monday afternoon at the Response Mechanism, Offices targeting those
Regional Security System supplies and vendors were that are on the front line
Air Wing in Barbados. identified within the and highly exposed to pos-
“Ensuring our partners Caribbean Basin and pur- sible COVID-19 transmis-
are well equipped to re- chased using U.S. govern- sion.
spond to any disaster that ment funding. HAP fund- The PPE delivery is part
threatens the well-being ing also supported the pro- of nearly US$3 million in
of their citizens is a top curement of PPE locally in COVID-19 response assis-
priority for the U.S.,” said St. Vincent and the tance to the Eastern
Commander Charnon. Grenadines and Antigua Caribbean from the U.S.
“This donation will ensure and Barbuda. Government. It supports
our partners are able to “The unprecedented na- the U.S.-Caribbean
continue their fight ture of this pandemic re- Resilience Partnership, a
against COVID-19, while quires collaborative efforts collaborative effort to
also being prepared for between our region and its build regional capacity to U.S. Coast Guard Commander Steve Charnon hands over US$104,000 of
any disasters on the hori- partners to respond effec- confront disaster response COVID-19 personal protective equipment to Elizabeth Riley, Executive
PAHO head: Early
zon.” tively to the needs of our and promote strong com- Director (ag) of CDEMA, during a ceremony at the Region Security System
The PPE, acquired participating states,” said munities. Air Wing in Barbados.
flu vaccinations
very important
THOUGH the focus groups are also at high- Etienne stated that it
has been on COVID-19 risk of coronavirus infec- was a testament to the
for most of 2020, and tion. preparations and dili-
rightfully so, the “We have encouraged gence of governments in
region must still countries to adapt sea- the region.
monitor and act with sonal flu vaccination Dr Etienne noted that
regard to seasonal in- campaigns to fit current this year, through the
fluenza. social distancing meas- Revolving Fund, PAHO
Dr Carissa Etienne, ures. Many countries helped secure 24 million
Director of the Pan have embraced this ap- flu vaccine doses. She ex-
American Health proach and introduced plained that PAHO is
Organisation (PAHO), innovative methods of helping countries secure
addressed the issue dur- immunization that mini- the necessary doses of
ing its weekly virtual mize the risk of COVID- vaccines to reach the tar-
press briefing. Etienne 19," said Etienne. get goal and through the
called for countries to be The director noted that Fund, resources were
watchful and be aware of some of the innovation pooled in order to pur-
the cases of influenza, included offering vac- chase vaccines for
even as they strengthen cines outside of health fa- Member States in an ef-
surveillance for COVID- cilities in empty schools, fort to expand access, to
19. She contended that pharmacies or drive-thru guarantee quality and to
early vaccination to pre- posts in supermarkets. secure better prices.
vent severe cases of flu PAHO has been encour- "Virtually all of it has
was critical, particularly aged that fourteen coun- already been delivered
for high-risk groups like tries in the region have to countries conducting
health workers, the eld- begun to immunize 90 campaigns, despite the
erly and people with million people against added logistical hurdles
chronic conditions. What seasonal influenza.?More that we are all facing
lifts the situation to an than half of the target in transporting essential
even higher level of con- population has already supplies during the
cern was that those same been vaccinated, and pandemic," said Etienne.
Tourism sector’s
The Barbados Advocate Thursday June 11, 2020 • 3
recovery high on
BHTA’s agenda
THE BHTA team has BHTA Chairman Stephen sons over 65 are more vul- through” and this is what
been heavily involved Austin whose tenure came nerable to COVID. If the we will do. Further, I am
with the Tourism Task to an end this week, sug- BHTA was a person, we sure that many, if not all of
Force set up by the gested that whilst there is would be in that category, you have heard the state-
Government of a lot of work to be done by and while we have felt the ments made about dia-
Barbados, to help pre- the Association in helping effects of COVID-19, we monds, but however it is
pare Barbados for its to move the tourism sec- will show COVID that this said, the story is the same,
recovery of tourism. tor forward beyond 68 year old organisation diamonds are created
New Chairman of the COVID-19, the BHTA is has no core morbidities under pressure” he main-
Barbados Hotel and up to the challenge, since it and will not be defeated. tained.
Tourism Association has faced numerous pres- Barbados will not be Roach stressed,“I am op-
(BHTA), Geoffrey Roach sures before and has come defeated. Our people will timistic about our future,
acknowledged the above, out of these situations not be defeated” he as- despite the current chal-
as he delivered remarks at shining. serted. lenges that we are facing
the BHTA’s Annual “By now, I do not have to “Does this mean that we and I know that as long as
General Meeting, held tell any of you the impact will be unscathed? Highly we join hands and work
over the Zoom online plat- that COVID-19 has had on unlikely, but we will wear collaboratively no matter
form yesterday. the global tourism indus- our scars as a reminder of what role we play or what
“I believe in our people try, on Barbados’s tourism the battle that we faced organisation we represent,
and for that reason want to industry, on our people and and overcame. There is a the Diamond that is
focus on one aspect of the each of us personally. The quote that says “Grow Barbados will shine
Unique festival experiences may draw tourists
New Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism
work being undertaken by experts have said that per- through what you go bright”. (RSM) Association (BHTA), Geoffrey Roach.
the Task Force and that is
the Human Resource
Development (aspect).The
objective here has been to
address the needs of our
people and to provide de- IN the future, Barbados holders from across the re- and internationally audiences, seeking key ex- make me go and pay for
velopment opportunities may need to consider how gion discussed the future would have had on the fes- periences. the same costume and the
for them” Roach remarked. it can provide unique fes- of festivals in the tival. I like to see opportu- “It forces us to confront same basic kind of experi-
Pointing to the series of tival experiences that dis- Caribbean region and how nities in every challenge a question, a scenario ence in Jurisdiction B or
webinars that the Tourism tinguish it from other countries can pivot and and so, under the COVID- that I first had to confront C? Shouldn’t there be
Task Force has set in mo- Caribbean countries, so as adapt to the changing 19 pandemic restrictions, I when I took over this something else in that ex-
tion to re-tool and re-train to make it more appealing world, given that the think it has presented a post as CEO of the NCF perience that is unique to
workers in the tourism to visitors, who have nu- COVID-19 pandemic has wonderful opportunity to in 2018 and that is, that country that makes
sector, so they can in turn merous destinations from caused several 2020 take a step back, look at while we are collaborat- me say, ‘Well this year I
better assist the tourism which they can choose in Caribbean festivals, in- the state not only of the ing, what makes each fes- am going to go to Trinidad,
sector in bouncing back the region. cluding Barbados’ own festival, but of the sector tival unique within its Jamaica and Antigua, be-
from the present COVID- Carol Roberts-Reifer, Crop Over Festival, to be and come up with mean- physical space, because if cause I’ve been to
19 pandemic, Roach how- Chief Executive Officer of cancelled. ingful ways to identify you look at it, we cannot Barbados or, I am going
ever noted that while there the National Cultural “Barbados is very simi- gaps (and to fill them,” get away from the fact back to Barbados or I am
has been a satisfactory re- Foundation (NCF) sug- lar to Jamaica, where a Roberts-Reifer com- that the costumes are gen- going back to Trinidad, be-
sponse to the sessions, the gested the above, as she huge percentage of the mented. erally, at the very basic cause I am guaranteed a
BHTA would like to see a spoke during the Inter- participants in the She later noted the need level all similar. They good time?’ Those are
further uptake, so that American Development festival are actually for Barbados and other pretty much look all alike, some of the questions,
everyone can make the Bank’s (IDB) online Zoom visitors to the island. With countries in the region to certainly for what in when we consider collabo-
most of these opportuni- session held yesterday our borders closed to look to see how they can Barbados we call the party rations, that we are going
ties and assist in the under the theme, “The non-essential travel, you make their festivals, bands. So if I can buy my to have to confront and
tourism recovery efforts. Pivot Series: The Future can imagine what that including the Crop Over costume and my experi- find meaningful answers
Country prepared to test all arrivals
Roach, who takes over of Festivals”. During that impact or that lack of festival, unique, so as ence cheaper in jurisdic- to.” Roberts-Reifer noted.
the reins from outgoing session, various stake- participation regionally to appeal to different tion A, what is going to (RSM)
NEW CASES from faced here. We certainly one arriving into the is- we have understood what that this virus is around abroad and who reported
Page 1 have more capacity and land as well as to continue is required and will con- us,” he said. that they were COVID pa-
public health officers in experience than we had at testing anyone who is rec- tinue to do all in our power When asked a question tients, we would not turn
this Ministry were fully the beginning,” he said. ommended to be tested or to identify, isolate, treat, about if the government them back as long as we
aware and have been ad- Going on to state that who wishes to be tested in contact trace and contain intends to continue repa- have the capacity because
vising the Government the public health threat Barbados. I wish to take the spread of COVID-19 triating persons who stay that is a duty and a re-
that we should be pre- was far from over and that this opportunity to com- in Barbados. We all accept stranded in other coun- sponsibility for us to look
pared for an uptick in persons could be tested if mend the officers at the that it will be around for a tries, Minister Bostic ex- after our people and we
cases once travel from they chose to, Minister Best Dos Santos Public long time, or at least until plained that it would be have more than enough
hotbed areas resumed. I Bostic said that the island Health Laboratory who a vaccine is developed, but wrong to deny persons the capacity at this point in
wish to assure the public was well armed to face have now completed more we are also determined right to come home and time to be able to do so and
that Barbados is much what could possibly come than 6000 tests for that we will not be para- that as long as the capac- all Barbadians can con-
better prepared today to at us at present. “We have COVID-19 which is a sig- lyzed by its presence. We ity existed, Barbados tinue to expect that we
deal with this challenge a more than adequate nificant achievement for a must never retreat or sur- would be open to her citi- will be accepting persons
than we were in March supply of testing kits so small island state such as render but we must learn zens. “If there were returning home,” he said.
when the viral illness sur- we are able to test every- ours. From the beginning, to live with the knowledge Barbadians who were (MP)
Catastrophe Fund Act passed
4• Thursday June 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate
THE way has been million in its portfolio and Catastrophe Fund for that stered the point as he re- persons which was avail- a terrible state at this
paved for financial as- some of that money will purpose, he maintained ferred to the “deleterious able to such businesses in point, recognising that
sistance to be given to be used to capitalise a $40 that covid-19 is indeed a effects” that covid has had both April and May. they need to assist them
eligible businesses, million Value Added Tax catastrophe, noting that on this country in terms of “They have also created because we well recognise
which have been im- (VAT) Loan Fund, to help by definition a catastro- tourism and the economy, the Small Hotel that the economy has
pacted by a catastro- businesses which are phe is an event with grave with many persons hav- Investment Fund recog- been practically in April
phe including a pan- struggling as a result of impact which can cause ing to claim unemploy- nising how hard the ho- and May ground to a halt;
demic; breach of cyber- the covid-19 pandemic. damage and/or suffering. ment. tels would have been revenue has been embar-
security, an act of ter- To qualify for the inter- “And I am saying that “Every aspect of life in struck by the repercus- rassing in terms of gov-
rorism or natural dis- est free loans of up to 50 the present covid pan- Barbados has been af- sions of covid-19. And then ernment’s revenue, yet we
aster. percent of the VAT previ- demic is, almost to borrow fected drastically so by we come to what we are are expected to maintain
This was made possible ously filed, he said com- a phrase from the younger this covid pandemic. And discussing today, the VAT all the services, and we
yesterday when the panies would have to be generation, almost like a the Government, which Loan Fund of $40 million, have been maintaining all
Senate passed the up to date with their VAT double whammy. You have has been accused in this recognising that busi- the service,” he said.
Catastrophe Fund Act, filings, have a turnover of a pandemic, a health cri- very chamber by members nesses are going through (JRT)
when the Bill came up for at least $200,000 a year sis, a global public health on the other side of not
debate. Leading off the de- and can show how they crisis; in addition you caring, has endeavoured
bate on the Bill, Leader of have been drastically af- have it resulting in an al- to assist in all sectors,” he
the Senate, Minister of fected financially because most total shutdown glob- stated.
Foreign Affairs and of covid. He said while ally in terms of countries In that vein, Minister
Foreign Trade, Senator there has been significant in terms of their Walcott spoke of such in-
Jerome Walcott revealed public discourse on the economies – so you are terventions as the
that at March 31, this matter, with some persons having an economic catas- Household Survival
year the Fund had $51.4 opposed to using the trophe on top of this global Programme and the addi-
health crisis,” he said. tional $10 million made
As such, he maintained available to assist those
that the use of the receiving welfare assis-
Catastrophe Fund for tance. Moreover, he spoke
such a purpose is not far- of the $20 million
fetched as some would Business Cessation
want to suggest. He bol- Benefit for self-employed
Senator Drakes
Opposition Senator Crystal Drakes
supports
amendments
OPPOSITION Senator pelling the use of digital
Crystal Drakes says she technology in a way that if
supports the changes we had stayed the way we
made to the Stamp Duties were we probably would
(Amendment) Bill 2020 not have been so ready
and the Registration of and willing to accepting
Judgments (Amendment), the normalisation of a lot
which were debated si- of the processes that we
multaneously in the currently have.”
Upper House yesterday. “I support the Bill and I
In a brief intervention, really hope that we con-
Senator Drakes said, tinue to add pieces of leg-
“These are pieces of legis- islation and these types of
lation that will modernise amendments to the law
the judicial sector... books because the world
Obviously it is a case really does not owe us
where we are in an envi- anything and we have to
ronment where social dis- stay in step with what is
tancing is being required happening globally as it
and all of these other new relates to digitisation and
normals and possibly it is normalisation of how we
a case that these new pro- do things in Barbados,”
tocols are actually pro- she said.
ILO: Release more than 150 000 seafarers
The Barbados Advocate Thursday June 11, 2020 • 5
trapped on board ships due to COVID-19
GENEVA – The cal goods during the pan- the ILO, the situation is return to sea have lost and endangers maritime cilitate their joining or
International Labour demic. worsening by the day. their income. safety. Action is needed leaving ships.
Organization (ILO) has Referring to the provi- Many of those on board “I urge member States now to ensure decent work The International
called for urgent and coor- sions of the Maritime completed their tours of to recognize seafarers as for seafarers, avoid mar- Chamber of Shipping, the
dinated action to release Labour Convention, 2006 , duty more than four “key workers” and adopt itime accidents and envi- International Trade Union
the 150,000 to 200,000 the ILO has called on gov- months ago but with con- the urgently-needed meas- ronmental disasters. We Confederation and the
seafarers trapped on ernments to adopt without tracts extended exception- ures that will enable those call on governments to International Transport
board ships around the delay all possible meas- ally because of the crisis, who have been working work together to make Workers’ Federation called
world because of measures ures to facilitate crew many are now reported to hard to keep us supplied these crew changes hap- attention to the urgency of
to contain the COVID-19 changes and the repatria- be experiencing mental with medicines, food and pen in safety.” the situation in a letter to
virus. tion of seafarers, while health issues and physical other necessities, to go The call for key worker the United Nation
The ILO has urged gov- taking steps to minimize exhaustion, which is re- home and be replaced by status for seafarers was Secretary General,
ernments, immigration, the risk of contagion. ducing their ability to fresh crews,” said ILO underlined in a joint state- António Guterres on 21
health and maritime au- More than a month after safely carry out their du- Director-General Guy ment issued on 22 May by May. They highlighted the
thorities to work together the ILO issued warnings , ties. Ryder. the International Civil risks to the mental and
to recognize seafarers as at the end of April, about Meanwhile, the restric- “Forcing exhausted sea- Aviation Organization physical health of crews
‘key workers’ who ensure the plight of seafarers re- tions on crew changes, farers to continue working (ICAO), International trapped on board and ex-
the flow of trade and the fused permission to leave brought in by countries to more than four months be- Maritime Organization pressed concerns about
movement of vital medical their ships, limited reduce the spread of yond the end of their con- (IMO) and the ILO. This the most vulnerable poten-
supplies, safety equip- progress has been COVID-19, have meant tract is unacceptable. This would exempt crew from tially resorting to self-
Straughn: BTMI working on
ment, food and other criti- achieved and, according to that seafarers waiting to jeopardizes their health travel restrictions and fa- harm and even suicide.
Global marketing plan
outlook is key
BHTA from Back Page financial initiatives to as-
with key stakeholders sist the sector in recover-
such as the Ministry of ing from closures and no
Tourism, the Barbados business. This report was
THIS country is on a Barbados seamlessly. Tourism Marketing Inc. submitted to the Prime
mission to engage in as “It is critical that we put (BTMI), Tourism Minister. Since then, the
much global business in focus the fact that with Development Corporation Prime Minister has out-
as it possibly can. a rapidly evolving global (TDC) and Ministry of lined some important ini-
That’s according to economy, as a country, as Health. tiatives which will assist
Minister in the Ministry regulators within the A Marketing our Tourism enterprises
of Finance, Ryan space, whether you are Committee has mean- to survive this challenge
Straughn, who said given the Central Bank; while been scheduled to period. The announce-
the impact on tourism be- whether you are the BRA work with the BTMI, to ment that VAT refunds
cause of the covid-19 pan- by way of taxation; have a plan in place for will be paid, as well as the
demic, Government de- whether you are the when the world recovers $200 million Tourism
cided that steps would be Immigration Department from COVID-19, and to Facility (available) for
taken to build out capac- Sir; whether you are ensure that Barbados is working capital, refinanc-
ity within the business Invest Barbados; whether ready to recapture its ing of debt or renovations,
space in an effort to at- you are CAIPO or any of markets, Austin pointed has given our sector much
tract more business. the other agencies that out. He also revealed that needed financial space to
As part of that effort, he are involved in regulating whilst staycations have allow for the hope of a
said Government has commerce and business in been offered as one sug- restart later this year,
been seeking to ensure the country, Barbados’ gestion in the interim, when international air-
that there is greater col- mission is to do as much such an initiative will lines restart and as desti-
laboration among the var- global business as possi- have to be done a lot later nations reopen” Austin
ious regulatory agencies ble. And therefore the way Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn in the summer, once the stated.
in this country, to help that we now have to ap- country gets control of the ‘The BHTA has also
keep the wheels of the proach these things is not tion which companies look tax rates, he said this will health situation. worked along with the
economy turning. As such, in a silo way, but we now to because they can pay not only assist the country Similarly, Barbadians will BTPA (Barbados Tourism
he said there must be a have to regulate for the least tax. to do more business glob- be encouraged to enjoy the Product Authority) and
consistent policy position growth we have to regu- “Barbados cannot be op- ally, but local businesses various attractions the Health and Safety
among the various regula- late to engage the world erating in a space on the can also engage the world. around Barbados. Sub- Committee
tors including the and we have started that basis of where you can “It is important that we He meanwhile stressed Chairman of the
Corporate Affairs and process,” he told fellow pay the least tax. We are understand that we have that the BHTA is commit- (Tourism) Task Force, in
Intellectual Property Members of Parliament. providing substance to not given away any ted to collaborating with preparing Draft Health
Office (CAIPO) and the He added, “This is about businesses that operate monies to corporate inter- Government to keep the and Safety Protocols for
Financial Services Barbados, if one regula- globally. We have profes- ests as I know has been workers, industry, the reopening of Hotels”
Commission, to allow for tory agency is doing well sionals in Barbados and said... In the context Sir of Barbadians and visitors Austin indicated.
the country and local and the other is not, the are certainly looking to a global environment safe and protected. As “Special thanks to those
businesses to engage the reality is that businesses build more capacity in where there is a pressure such, back in March, cor- members who assisted in
world. interact with all of us and that space Sir,” he said. on corporations to be able respondence was sent to the review of that docu-
Minister Straughn we all have to make sure While that is the case, to demonstrate that they the Prime Minister and ment and pulling it to-
spoke to this while pilot- that we lift our game in the minister said that the are paying a fair share of Government, outlining a gether. Our consultations
ing the debate on the respect of being able to re- country has not over time, tax, then all we are doing list of Survival Initiatives. will be wide and include
Income Tax (Amendment) spond”. effectively communicated Sir is facilitating the abil- “These survival the Trade Unions and
(No.2) Bill, as he said that Minister Straughn’s that level of substance to ity for this country called Initiatives were also out- their representatives, to
one of Government’s goals comments came as he re- the wider world. Barbados to be able to lined in a report by the ensure that we provide
is to ensure that anyone, flected on the interna- Meanwhile, speaking to compete in a global space Survival Committee, led safe work for safe people
not only those in the inter- tional business sector and the decision to converge and to be able to attract by Peter Odle in the for a safe Barbados” the
national business sector, contended that this coun- the international and do- business to this country,” Tourism Task Force. The Outgoing Chairman said.
can do business in try cannot be a jurisdic- mestic business corporate he said. (JRT) report outlined a series of (RSM)
6 • Thursday June 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate
Pdp concerned about BOSS CCJ issues declarations against
CARICOM and Barbados but
cement tariff increase stands
A MEMBER of the Opposition People’s cially given that the IMF in its most re-
Party for Democracy and Development’s cent review of the economy and the
economic team, is questioning if BERT programme, highlighted the need
Government’s Barbados Optional to adopt new legislation to govern the
Savings Scheme (BOSS) is really not a Central Bank, one which would limit its
“back hand way” of printing money, and financing of the Government to short- IN a judgment released yesterday, COTED decision was arbitrary or irra-
is raising concern about the true state of term advances and would improve the the Caribbean Court of Justice tional. The Court stated that the ration-
affairs as far as Government’s revenue Bank’s mandate, autonomy, and decision- (CCJ) upheld the decision of the ale and justification presented to
position is concerned. making structures. Council for Trade and Economic COTED by Barbados were supported by
In an online press conference recently, Turning his attention then to the Development (COTED) to raise the the factual circumstances and that in
the PdP’s spokesperson on tourism Scott Auditor General’s report, he raised con- tariff on “other hydraulic cement” any event the grounds on which the re-
Weatherhead, noting that leading econ- cerns about the state of Government’s imported into Barbados. The CCJ quest was approved clearly fell within a
omists have said that some printing of revenue receipts for 2019, noting that declared, however, that the category which allows COTED a broad
money will be necessary, is wondering there were instances in the report, which Caribbean Community (CARICOM) discretion and where the scope for the
whether the BOSS initiative is the way was recently released, where it noted and Barbados failed in their respec- Court’s intervention is narrow.
of achieving it. that revenue was overstated. Among tive duties to conduct prior consul- On the other hand, the Court decided
“Government needs to cut its wages those cases, he said were in relation to tation with the importers, Rock to declare that Barbados and CARICOM
bill as agreed under the IMF Corporation Tax revenue for the financial Hard Cement Limited (“Rock had failed to ensure that Rock Hard was
[International Monetary Fund] BERT year 2018-2019 which was overstated by Hard”). The Court’s decision was consulted before the application for the
[Barbados Economic Recovery and $244 million, which related to the previ- given in the original jurisdiction suspension was approved. Because the
Transformation] programme, but it can't ous financial year and Value Added Tax matter of Rock Hard Cement consultation required for an application
cut jobs at this time, and therefore they revenue which was overstated by $31 Limited v The State of Barbados and of this type was limited to obtaining in-
must make a move to take back part of million. The Caribbean Community and formation as to the impact of the pro-
the five percent wage increase that was “So we question the fact as to whether Arawak Cement Company Limited, posed tariff increase, the Court decided
given to public workers when this Government really did ever hit the pri- Intervening [2020] CCJ 2 (OJ). that the effect of the failure to consult did
Government took office. This move is also mary surplus at all; whether On June 17, 2019, COTED, the organ not call for annulment of the decision.
designed to shift a portion of its wages Government told the truth about its fi- of CARICOM responsible for altering or The Court expressed dismay that CARI-
bill off its books and on to Central Bank nances to this country and the IMF and suspending the Common External Tariff COM had failed to maintain an effective
accounting. Hence the original name of if that is the real reason behind these (CET), approved the application of system of consultations at the national
Forced Savings and that is why, in our bonds issuing and not in fact for capital Barbados to suspend the CET of 5% on and regional level as required by Article
view, the workers’ default position is in works at all? We really question whether other hydraulic cement in order to re- 26 of the Revised Treaty of
the BOSS scheme,” he said. it is that Government’s finances are not place it with a tariff of 35%. The suspen- Chaguaramas (RTC). The Court noted
Weatherhead, “Even if they opt out of in fact as they would like the public and sion was authorised for a period of two that the agreed procedures for the pro-
the BOSS scheme, that portion of their IMF to believe?” he said. years and not the five years requested. cessing of requests to COTED, such as
pay must still come through the Central Weatherhead is adamant that these Rock Hard imports other hydraulic ce- this one made by Barbados, had not yet
Bank. So in our view, either the Central are among the things that public ser- ment manufactured in Turkey into been formally brought into force. The
Bank will be covertly printing money vants must take into consideration as Barbados. Rock Hard was not consulted Court found that this was a weakness in
through this scheme to finance that part they decide whether to take bonds as or notified before the application to raise the system.
of workers’ salaries who opt out, or the part of the payment of their salaries. He the tariff was made or granted although The Court concluded by stating that it
Central Bank will finance this on its spoke to this while questioning if both Barbados and COTED were aware is a matter of Barbadian domestic policy
own,” he said. Government has the right to issue bonds of the impact the COTED decision would whether that State wished to adopt
He made the point while contending as part of the salary payment, or if they likely have had on that company. Rock measures to facilitate the importation
that either way, it does not augur well for will have to put legislation in place to ef- Hard claimed that the decision to raise of cement produced extra-regionally or
the country’s financial position, espe- fect such a move. the tariff should be annulled because it encourage locally produced cement man-
had a legitimate expectation that ufactured by Arawak Cement Company
Barbados would keep the tariff steady at Limited. The Court emphasised, how-
the CET rate of 5%. The basis of this le- ever, that any such measures and the
gitimate expectation was alleged repre- processes accompanying them must
sentations made to Rock Hard by comply with the rule of law.
Barbadian officials in 2015 when The judgment was delivered by the
Barbados reduced the tariff from 60%, full Bench of the CCJ comprising the
where it stood in 2015, to the CET rate President, the Honourable Mr Justice
of 5%. Adrian Saunders and the Honourables
The Court held that, in order for Rock Justice Jacob Wit, Justice Winston
Hard to succeed in the Court’s Original Anderson, Justice Maureen Rajnauth-
Jurisdiction, the alleged representations Lee, Justice Denys Barrow, Justice
that gave rise to its expectation must Andrew Burgess and Justice Peter
have come from CARICOM, but there Jamadar. Mr Allan Wood, QC and Ms
was no claim or evidence that it was Symone Mayhew, QC appeared for Rock
COTED that made the alleged represen- Hard Cement Limited. Ms Gayle Scott
tations to Rock Hard. The Court held and Mr Jared Richards appeared for the
that subsequent knowledge by COTED State of Barbados. Dr Corlita Babb-
of the alleged representations could not Schaefer and Mr O’Neil Francis ap-
make COTED a party to them as those peared for the Caribbean Community
representations had not been made on and Mr Eamon Courtenay, SC and Mr
Teachers praised
COTED’s behalf. The Court also dis- Raphael Ajodha appeared for Arawak
missed Rock Hard’s claims that the Cement Company Limited.
DONATION from Back Page knowledge the hard work of the teachers
classroom to be able to get that one-on- during this period. This has not been
one, hands-on tutoring that there really easy for a lot of the teachers. We had
is no substitute for it. Even if we get to thought to phase in the technological in-
complete E-learning, there is still going puts into education but they were thrust
to be a place for hands-on teaching. But upon the teachers with little chance and
when we send the children back to the little warning and they had to hit the
classroom we have to make sure we are ground running and I want to commend
doing it in a safe way,” he said. the Ministers, I want to commend the
Taking the opportunity to heap praise Chief Education Officer, I want to com-
on the teachers, Abrahams said that they mend all the teachers in Barbados who
needed to be lauded for their commit- seized upon this opportunity and have
ment during this time. “I also want to ac- made the best of a bad situation.” he said.
The Barbados Advocate Thursday June 11, 2020 • 7 Chinese consumers will continue to drive global purchases CHINESE consumers will willingness to make pent-up safeguard struggling supply continue to drive global purchases put off during the first chains. In the medium term, the luxury purchases, buying several months of the year. objective is to work on digital nearly 50 percent of luxury Continued travel restrictions transformation,relaunch tourism goods worldwide by 2025 as mean that many purchases that and ensure there is an even the country has been leading would have been made abroad stronger focus on environmental the global recovery of the will instead take place in China, and social sustainability, Lunelli COVID-19-hit high-end said the report. said. The report estimates an products’ market, said an Globally, following a positive average decrease of 20 percent in industry report. final quarter of 2019 and a very the consumption of personal According to the latest Luxury promising start to 2020, the luxury goods globally in 2020. Goods Worldwide Market Study, personal luxury goods industry By region, that means a 29 produced by research firm Bain was hit hard by the coronavirus percent decrease in Europe and a &Co in collaboration with Italian crisis, consequent national 22 percent drop in the Americas in luxury industry monitor lockdowns and air traffic terms of luxury consumption can Fondazione Altagamma, the restrictions, with a negative be expected due to the regions' global luxury market will reach impact witnessed across all longer exposure to the crisis and 320-330 billion euros (US$354- product categories and all lack of international tourist flows, 365 billion) in 2023 thanks in markets for the current year, said especially from China. large part to Chinese consumers, the report. Spending by Chinese online channels and young Matteo Lunelli, president of consumers (down 9 percent, the customers. Altagamma, said:“The pandemic first region to come out of the Chinese consumers will make had an immediate impact on the crisis), Japanese consumers up around half of luxury luxury goods industry worldwide, (down 14 percent) and the rest of Pedestrians pass by a jewelry store on the Han Street of purchases globally by 2025, and it will lead to a 20 percent fall Asia (down 16.5 percent) is Wuhan, capital of Central China’s Hubei province, on March 30. compared with 35 percent in in turnover in 2020.The industry expected to drop sharply in 2020, 2019. Luxury purchases made will get back on its feet, however, albeit to a lesser extent than in 2020. The report estimates that within China itself will take up 28 and the long-term trend remains European and North American One very positive sign is the global consumption of personal percent globally in 2025 than 11 positive. Altagamma Bain consumers (down 25 percent and performance of online channels, luxury goods dropped by 25 percent in 2019.The report found Monitor on World Markets 21 percent, respectively). with 2020 retail seen up 16 percent in the first quarter, that in the fourth quarter of last estimates a growth of 2-3 percent In terms of product categories, percent and wholesale up 12 compared to the same period of year, luxury spending in China between now and 2025.” the hardest hit are expected to be percent.Companies will certainly 2019. accelerated and then started He said the Italian creative jewelry, down by 23 percent, be boosting their digital Looking beyond 2020, the strong this year, but was soon hit industry, with its unique watches, by 25 percent and transformation,and the crisis will evolution of the global market will by traffic restrictions and manufacturing, creative and clothing, by 21.5 percent. lead to new lifestyle trends, with be based on four key drivers: lockdowns due to the epidemic. entrepreneurial resources,has the The report predicts a sharp consumers prioritizing regional macrotrends, local After months of store closures credentials to recover and return decrease in world consumption, sustainability and embracing consumer confidence,tourist flows and social distancing, Chinese to its leading role. with profits among companies in moderation and conscientious- and strategies proactively taken consumers will likely show a In the short term, the aim is to the luxury sector down 30 percent ness, said the report. by individual brands. Chinese researchers publish inactivated COVID-19 vaccine’s effect on animals BEIJING – China’s inactivated Biotec Group, the Chinese COVID-19 vaccine has shown Center for Disease Control and potent protection against SARS- Prevention, Chinese Academy CoV-2, which causes the disease, of Medical Sciences as well as in animal experiments, other institutions. according to a study published Researchers reported the A sample of the COVID-19 inactivated vaccine is seen at a vaccine production plant of China in the journal Cell. pilot-scale production of the National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) in Beijing, capital of China, April 10, 2020. Inactivated vaccines use the vaccine candidate that induces killed version of the germ that high levels of neutralizing 2. dose provided strong protection In addition, the vaccine causes a disease. antibody concentrations in mice, A neutralizing antibody can against SARS-CoV-2 exhibits high productivity and Research on the vaccine rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and defend a cell from a pathogen intratracheal challenge in good genetic stability for candidate BBIBP-CorV was nonhuman primates including or infectious particle by rhesus macaques. No antibody- manufacturing, which supports jointly conducted by the Beijing cynomolgus monkeys and obliterating any biological effect. dependent enhancement of its further evaluation in a Institute of Biological Products rhesus macaques to provide Two-dose immunizations infection was detected in the clinical trial, according to the China says clinical trials show African swine fever vaccine safe so far under the China National protection against SARS-CoV- using two micrograms of each experiment. research. BEIJING – A Chinese vaccine fever. developed was safe and effective testing the vaccine in stages understanding what the vaccine against African swine fever The disease, which kills against African swine fever in from April to June. actually does,” said Dirk Pfeiffer, appears to be safe in clinical almost all pigs infected, has laboratory tests. CAAS added that it was a professor of veterinary trials now underway, the official devastated the huge hog herd Clinical trials were approved running clinical trials to test the epidemiology at City University Xinhua news agency said since arriving in China in 2018, in March and have been effectiveness of the vaccine. of Hong Kong. yesterday, a step closer to and is still killing pigs there and underway since on 3,000 pigs in Such trials are a critical step in “We’d need to see more data.” preventing one of the world’s elsewhere in Asia. three locations, said Xinhua, proving its value, experts say. Until now, vaccinated pigs most devastating livestock In a paper published in which cited a CAAS news “To know whether it works, it have proved healthy, Xinhua diseases. March, Chinese researchers at conference. needs to be tested in an said, with no miscarriages in Progress on the vaccine is the Harbin Veterinary Research The three farms in the environment where you’d have sows or differences in litter being watched by pig farmers in Institute, part of the Chinese northeastern province of all the different circumstances, sizes, when compared to a China and around the world, Academy of Agricultural Heilongjiang, the far western like different types of farm and control group. The vaccinated with no cure or vaccine now Sciences (CAAS), said a live region of Xinjiang and the densities, and then you’d become pigs are neither shedding nor available against African swine attenuated vaccine they had central province of Henan began more confident in transmitting the virus, it added.
8 • Thursday June 11, 2020 The Barbados Advocate
Pope sends strong message to
‘For the cause that lacks assistance, ’Gainst the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that I can do’
Editorial
Our population US Catholics after Floyd death
dilemma VATICAN CITY – Pope
Francis called George
Floyd by name, twice, and
anti-racism protesters
while making a clear
statement about where
support for the civil
rights movement and
Martin Luther King Jr.’s
reaction” by chance,
Melloni said.
Last week, Francis
IN a recent address, Prime Minister Mia Amor offered support to an American Catholics message of nonviolent denounced the “sin of
Mottley touched on the issue of the country’s low fer- American bishop who should stand ahead protest. History’s first racism” and twice identi-
tility rate (births per woman), and the major impact knelt in prayer during of President Donald pope from the global fied Floyd as the victim
it could have on our labour force in the future. She a Black Lives Matter Trump’s bid for a second south is no different. He of a “tragic” killing. In a
pointed out that the rate has been declining continu- protest. term in November. quoted King at length message read in Italian
ously since the 1960s, and with an increasingly age- Cardinals black and Francis “wants to send during his historic speech and English during his
ing population, there is obviously a cause for concern, white have spoken out a very clear message to the US Congress in general audience, Francis
especially as it relates to our labour force and the about Floyd’s death, and to these conservative 2015 and met with King’s expressed concerns about
viability of the National Insurance Scheme. the Vatican’s communi- Catholics here who are daughter, as his predeces- violence during the
The PM noted that Barbados had failed to grow the cations juggernaut has pro-Trumpers that, sor had done. protests, saying it was
population as needed, such that rather than having shifted into overdrive to ‘Listen, this is just as But the degree to which self-destructive.
the 360,000 people we need today, there are around draw attention to the much of an issue as Francis and the Vatican He also said, “We can-
280,000 people living here. And she went further, cause he now represents. abortion is,’” said Anthea have seized on Floyd’s not close our eyes to any
warning that by 2035 the workforce would be smaller Under normal circum- Butler, a presidential killing is unusual and form of racism or exclu-
and would not be able to sustain the economy and earn stances, Floyd’s killing at visiting fellow at Yale suggests a coordinated sion, while pretending to
revenue as needed. the hands of a white po- Divinity School. messaging strategy defend the sacredness of
The picture painted by the Prime Minister is indeed lice officer and the global Butler, who is African aimed at a national every human life.”
a sobering one, but if we are to be true to ourselves, protests denouncing American, said the church that Francis has It was a clear effort to
we would admit that this is something we have known racism and police brutal- Vatican is telling long criticized for its call out some conserva-
for a while. The country, we are sure, well remembers ity might have drawn a Catholics “to pay atten- political and ideological tive Catholics for whom
that some six years ago former Minister of Education muted diplomatic re- tion to the racism that partisanship, said the abortion issue is
Ronald Jones maintained that it was urgent that sponse from the Holy See. is happening and the Alberto Melloni, a church paramount, while other
Barbados increase its population within 10 years. But in a US election year, racism that is in your historian and secretary “life” issues dear to
But his comments were met with harsh criticism from the intensity and con- own church in America”. of the John XXIII Francis – racism,
some who argued that the island was already densely sistency of the Vatican’s The Vatican has long Foundation for Religious immigration, the death
populated and could not sustain more people.And six reaction suggests that, spoken out about racial Studies in Bologna, Italy. penalty and poverty –
years on, nothing has been done to start to correct the from the pope on down, it injustice, and popes dat- “It’s not like seven peo- play second fiddle at the
US-Polish Fort Trump
problem. is seeking to encourage ing to Paul VI have voiced ple had the same type of ballot box.
In fact, the problem has gotten worse. In 2016
the fertility rate was 1.84, and it seems now to be
project crumbles
somewhere in the region of 1.7 or 1.6. If we add that
sobering reality to the fact that we have an ageing
population with the average life expectancy of 79
years as at 2018, according to the World Bank – and
babies are not being born – we are on course for a
population crisis, which would seriously impact the
delivery of social services and life we have become WARSAW/WASHING- A year on, government where US troops are ac- be at the expense of its
accustomed to in this country. TON – Fort Trump officials in Washington cused of crimes on Polish NATO ally and neighbor,
There is no doubt that the National Insurance has appears to have fallen. and Warsaw say they still soil, but Poland is balk- a key element in its own
been analysing these facts, for if they are paying out Poland’s grand proposal cannot agree where the ing. security plan.
pensions in excess of what is coming in through con- in 2018 to name a mili- troops should be sta- “In general, every with-
tributions from employees, then that fund could face tary base in honor of tioned, and how much of ‘Very complex’ drawal of military forces
tremendous difficulty in staying capitalised. Not to Donald Trump, in return the multi-billion-dollar Polish Deputy Foreign in Europe is a risk, and
mention the fact that COVID-19 has dealt the social for the US president plac- deployment Warsaw Minister Pawel Jablonski it’s not that we as a Polish
security scheme a heavy blow, having now to process ing a permanent presence should fund. calls it all “a very compli- government see this pos-
in excess of 40,000 unemployment claims, which is there, has crumbled amid Poland wants to put cated process”. itively, because we think
putting added strain on the limited resources. disputes over how to fund them close to its eastern “There’s the question the American presence
Over the years, in looking for answers to this prob- the deployment and border with Russia’s ally of financing, of the place- should be larger,”
lem of the declining population, there has been the ar- where to garrison the Belarus, but on past ment, of legal rights, Jablonski said.
gument put forward that the family planning efforts soldiers, sources say. form this is certain to under what principles Some of the US troops
in Barbados have been too successful and that is why A US official familiar antagonize Russia, and these soldiers will currently in Poland were
women are not having children. Others say that the with the matter said the Washington would prefer function here,” he told deployed by NATO after
current economic environment is a disincentive, and idea had been doomed to deploy them further Reuters. Moscow sent shivers
another argument has been that families are not from the start: “There is west, the officials said. “The discussions are through Warsaw in 2014
growing because women are putting their careers no Fort Trump.” Warsaw initially talked taking a long time be- by seizing the Crimean
first. Indeed those are plausible and likely reasons, On June 12 last year, of contributing $2 billion, cause the subject matter peninsula from Ukraine,
but many persons are not considering the possibility Trump agreed, with already a challenge now is just very complex. I do which borders both coun-
that there are women who desire children, but for Polish President Andrzej that the coronavirus has think we will come to a tries.
whatever reason cannot have them. Duda beside him at the dented its economy, but final decision, but this For the additional
Perhaps that is considered too taboo a subject to White House, to send the United States wants will still take some time.” US troops, six locations
discuss, but the infertility factor is often overlooked 1,000 more troops to his it to pay more, the offi- And that time may just were shortlisted when
and deserves due consideration, for we cannot ignore NATO ally, bolstering its cials added. have got longer. Vice President Mike
the fact that many of the patients seen at the local defenses against Russia Then there is the legal Last week, a senior US Pence visited Warsaw in
fertility clinic are reportedly resident in Barbados. So to the east and cement- status of US troops per- official said Trump had September.
perhaps the relevant government authorities should ing bilateral ties. manently stationed in decided to draw down High-level talks to deal
engage the health specialists, so as to determine if this Many officials called Poland for the first time; 9,500 of the 34,500 US with sticking points,
is indeed a factor that should not be ignored. the project “Fort Trump”, currently, around 4,500 troops currently deployed scheduled for March,
We cannot ignore either that having and raising although the name was troops are regularly ro- in Germany. were called off after US
children is also expensive – from the medical costs for never official, and the tated through. US officials said some defense undersecretary
pregnant women, to the cost of food, clothing and idea of building a new Washington wants en- of these could be sent John Rood left his post
child care. These are expenses that people will find base for the troops was hanced legal immunity, to Poland, which is dis- at Trump’s request, the
hard to meet in an economically challenged environ- soon dropped. for example in situations mayed that its gain might US official said.
ment, with low wages. So, indeed there are numerous
issues that need to be looked at, and sooner rather News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes
Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000
than later we must act, as it is clear that the future Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke
E-mail Address: news@barbadosadvocate.com
of our country, as we know it, could be in jeopardy. Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com
Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen
Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan
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