Government is sending a strong message to employers in Barbados about the treatment of workers, as it brought legislation yesterday to ensure employees enjoy fair treatment and better conditions of work.

The Protection Of Wages Bill, 2026, debated in the House of Assembly yesterday, spells out expected conditions which employers are expected to meet. Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector Colin Jordan said Government would not allow exploitation of workers in Barbados in any form, whether they be Barbadian-born, CARICOM nationals or migrant workers.

Piloting the Bill, he decried several employment practices, complaining that what was once considered decent ways of approaching industrial relations was falling by the wayside, adding the disrespect was coming from “newcomers or ‘come-yuhs’”.