Executive summary
The National Employment Policy of Barbados has been prepared with the ultimate intention of ensuring that workers in Barbados have access to full, productive and freely chosen employment. It therefore charts a pathway for the moulding of an environment that embraces the decent work concept. This policy is a manifestation of the fact that in Barbados, the greatest asset is arguably the human resource and as such, is critical to the objective of ensuring that Barbados becomes a developed country, consistent with the National Strategic Plan 2006-2025. This policy also takes note of the fact that all necessary efforts to develop the human resource must be multi-faceted in nature, where Government, the Private Sector, Trade Unions and Civil society are provided with meaningful opportunities to have their voices heard in making recommendations that contribute to the development of Barbados.
The document commences with the identification of a policy goal and policy objectives. It then provides brief overviews of the international and local economic climates and the effects that they have had on employment. The document then places a focus on vital labour issues that must be addressed if the goal of full and productive employment is to be realised. From the enhancement of the labour supply through education and training, to the identification of the industrial sectors that will contribute to the sustainability of Barbados’ economy over the medium to long term, this policy seeks to outline ambitious but practical policies that can be pursued and implemented by Barbados, as the country endeavours to achieve developed country status over the long term. Employment issues raised in the policy are aggregated around five “pillars”. They are:
- Creating Employment Opportunities
- Enhancing Labour Supply
- Promoting equality and equity in the Labour Market
- Building a Stronger Workforce through Information
- Cross-cutting issues
Click here to read the entire National Employment Policy of Barbados
