Clearing the air on payment to former LIAT workers

Director of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ian Carrington on Wednesday sought to explain the terms under which the Government of Barbados will be making a payment to former LIAT workers.

In a media release, Carrington acknowledges Government has already given two monetary gifts and a loan and has “no legal obligation to settle any indebtedness to the workers”.

As a result, this action, which was announced in the 2023 Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, has a maximum cash value of $75, 000, with anything in excess being paid in Series J Bonds.

Government has set aside about Bds$10 million for the 89 eligible workers.

The statement follows in full:

The Government of Barbados notes that it has no legal obligation to settle any indebtedness to former

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley made the announcement as the twoday Caricom Symposium on Crime came to a close at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain on Tuesday.

Addressing their move to ban the use of assault

“We are saying that we do not require those weapons within our society in a commonplace way, because of the outcome of the presence in the society. We can continue to provide protection with small number of handguns in the population,” the PM said.

Rowley did not say when the legislation would be brought or if it would require Opposition support. However, he noted the regional leaders did all ask their Oppositions to sup -

“While some people are fighting to roll back what they have done, we’re saying let’s not go there, because there is not a solution to our problem of safety and security,” the PM said.

On the issue of the influx of guns into the Region, Rowley said dialogue with the US was one of a few issues they agreed to speak on with one voice as part of the action plan coming out of the symposium.

He said a letter was to be sent to Washington, adding he had every confidence President Joe Biden would take it seriously. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)