Barbadian Sociologist Criticizes Government's Socio-Economic Priorities at Astor B Watts Lecture

Sociologist and human resources consultant Carol-Anne Jordan has lambasted the government’s socio-economic approach, accusing it of prioritising economic metrics over genuine social development.

Speaking at the Astor B Watts Lunchtime Lecture, hosted by the Democratic Labour Party on Friday, she argued that while economic growth figures have improved, the quality of life for many Barbadians has deteriorated.

Jordan, with over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, pointed to the disparity between the country’s economic success and social welfare. She specifically criticised the government’s over-reliance on economic performance as the primary gauge of national progress.

“For about 30 years now, all that happens in Barbados has been viewed primarily through an economic lens,” she said, questioning the focus on fiscal success as an indicator of societal health. She argued that if the private sector is satisfied, it is often interpreted as a sign that everything is well, but when they express dissatisfaction, urgent measures are taken to restore confidence.

Despite Barbados achieving a 4.4 per cent growth in 2023, Jordan contended that this has not translated into better living conditions for ordinary citizens. She highlighted the country’s slide in the Human Development Index (HDI), with Barbados falling from 54th in 2016 to 62nd in 2023.

“At the same time that confidence is being expressed in the economy, the Human Development Index published by the United Nations Development Programme has shown a continued slide in Barbados’ ranking,” she remarked.

Jordan stressed that true development requires a holistic approach. “Developing a society is a qualitative, multifaceted process,” she said, warning against the dangers of focusing solely on one aspect of progress while ignoring broader societal issues.

She also took aim at the government’s failure to protect vulnerable groups, asserting that economic policies disproportionately benefit businesses while leaving ordinary citizens behind.

“There is a role for the private sector, and there is a role for the state,” Jordan said. “But when the state fails to intervene, those who need what we call a ‘hand up,’ what I call genuine assistance, are abandoned.”

Jordan’s critique extended to the government’s promises of transformation, which she dismissed as largely symbolic. She argued that the emphasis on transformation, repeatedly touted since the 2018 election campaign, has not resulted in tangible benefits for most citizens: “Since the election campaign of 2018, this current administration has been repeatedly telling or warning Barbadians that this country has to be transformed to make it fit for purpose…. But as citizens, we have not really been engaged to understand what these things mean.”

She linked the lack of social progress to the worsening social conditions in the country, including poverty, unemployment, and widening inequality.

The sociologist also raised concerns about the administration’s neglect of key policy areas such as ageing and food security. She criticised the absence of policies to address the needs of the growing elderly population and the nation’s reliance on food imports, warning of the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jordan also expressed alarm over the government’s approach to labour standards, suggesting a “race to the bottom” in its efforts to attract foreign investment. She condemned the apparent willingness to relax labour protections, noting the rise of zero-hour contracts that leave workers without guaranteed hours or income stability. (RG)