Although the recent Barbados Statistical Service’s (BSS) Retail Price Index shows people are paying more for food since August, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley believes the Social Partners Food Prices Compact has helped shield the most vulnerable. The last compact expired on January 31, but a revised one was announced last week by Minister of Foreign Affairs Kerrie Symmonds. The six-month agreement was signed on Monday at Ilaro Court by …
Days after the poultry farmers indicated they would not be part of a renewed Social Partners Food Prices Compact, more members of the business community are also expressing reservations. President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anthony Branker, said while they were willing to listen to Government, it placed a burden on some operators. “What I can tell you is that even at the level of some retailers …
President of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Trisha Tannis believes that inflation and the continuing war between Russia and Ukraine could dampen some economic activity in 2023. As such, she is hoping Government, BPSA and labour can meet early in January to determine the next step with the Social Compact, which was put in place to help control the cost of living. The Social Partners Food Prices Compact was …
A Government minister has asserted that despite the administration’s compact with the private sector that was aimed at reducing the high cost of living, the measure has not produced the expected relief since some companies have refused to hold up their end of the bargain.Minister of Elder Affairs and People Empowerment Kirk Humphrey on Wednesday appealed to the guilty parties to do the right thing.“I’ve seen in some of the bigger stores, prices that have not reflected the commitment that they made to the Government. I’ve seen it in smaller places as well. “I am making a plea for the sake of the country for people to reduce that profit margin so that the poor, the needy, the vulnerable, the elderly, the disabled, and the disenfranchised could eat. I am very concerned and very serious about it,” he told the media following a presentation of food supplies to his ministry and the Kiwanis Club of Barbados North by Carigro and Multinational Wholesalers, at the company’s headqu
Three weeks after Government implemented reductions on a basket of goods, customers are reporting that while they have seen savings, there have been price increases on other items. In a national address on July 14, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley had announced that the list of essential food items that would attract no value added tax, or zero or reduced duties, would be expanded. In addition, for six months consumers …