“Although Barbados has a very large diaspora in the UK, we have not seen enough collaboration between these two territories where labour is concerned.”
This from Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, as she met with Barbados’ new High-Commissioner-Designate to the United Kingdom (UK), Reverend Guy Hewitt, at a courtesy call on Wednesday at her Warrens office.
“Similar to our labour programmes, which have been so successful in Canada, we are keen on building strategic partnerships to create new opportunities for Barbadian domestic workers in the UK,” she said.
The Minister also noted that there was a large part of the Barbadian diaspora in the UK interested in investing in the island, through the development of small businesses, contributions to charitable causes and identifying areas for assistance.
In response, Mr. Hewitt welcomed any collaboration with the Labour Ministry and pledged the High Commission’s support for any future developmental initiatives.
The two officials also discussed identifying certain best practices in the UK which could be integrated to improve labour relations in Barbados, and focused on how more young people could be encouraged to get involved in entrepreneurship and team- building activities.