The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) wants a reduction in the retirement age for workers in the protective services and nursing sectors, asserting that the physical and emotional toll of their duties necessitates an earlier exit from the workforce.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the Barbados Union of Teachers’ headquarters, CTUSAB general secretary Dennis De Peiza outlined several critical resolutions that emerged from the union’s 15th Biennial Conference held on September 19.
One was the retirement age for prison officers, police, firefighters and nurses. These professions, he stressed, placed a disproportionate burden on workers due to the high-risk nature of their daily tasks.
“The members of our protective services and nurses face extraordinary challenges every day. The personal sacrifices these workers make, coupled with their constant exposure to dangers and hazards, take a significant toll on their physical and mental well-being,” De Peiza stated. “The current retirement framework is no longer suitable for these workers, who are often left physically drained by the time they reach the standard retirement age. We are calling for a review and potentially a reduction of the retirement age for these critical sectors.”
He noted that the Barbados Defence Force already allows for early retirement due to the physically and mentally demanding nature of military service, and called for the same to be extended to the protective services and nursing professionals.
“The same logic should apply to the protective services and nurses. These are front-line workers who face dangers on a daily basis, and it is only fair that their retirement age be adjusted accordingly. We are putting this issue on the table and will continue to push for action.”
De Peiza also expressed deep frustration over the decadeslong delay in establishing the Teaching Services Commission. The commission, which was promised as part of the 1966 Constitution when Barbados became independent, has yet to be implemented despite repeated promises by successive administrations.
60-year wait “We’ve been waiting nearly 60 years for the establishment of the Teaching Services Commission. Both past and present governments have promised action, yet we still have not seen any appointments or tangible steps toward getting this commission up and running. This is a critical issue for our education sector. Many of the problems we are seeing in terms of human resource management for teachers could be addressed if the commission were functioning as intended.”
He said teachers are increasingly frustrated by the Government’s inaction and warned that the situation could lead to a further erosion of morale within the sector.
“We are tired of the promises. It feels as though the teaching profession is being treated with disrespect. The Government needs to stop making mock sport of teachers and finally establish this commission, which is long overdue,” he added.
(CLM)
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