The start of a new year often brings discussions of change, resolutions, and self-improvement. We aspire to grow, do better, and be better. As a nation, our focus must also be on growth. For a small island state like Barbados to develop a thriving economy, we must take growth seriously.
Our productive sector is one place to measure growth. While some indicators are obvious, there are other areas we must improve on.
For instance, businesses have yet to return to pre-COVID operating hours. Recently, another bank announced that its physical branches would now close at 2 p.m. Only a few gas stations have resumed 24-hour operations, and supermarkets close earlier than their pre-COVID hours, between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Those mentioned above are obvious areas where we can see reduced labour hours. However, there are other areas that hinder productivity daily—issues we have become so accustomed to that they now seem normal.
Chief among these areas is the abysmal state of service delivery, particularly within the public sector. Poor service has become an albatross around the neck of productivity, stifling the potential of both workers and citizens.
The inefficiencies across various sectors are glaring: long wait times, outdated systems, and a culture of complacency have become defining characteristics of the public service.
A stark example is the prolonged wait times at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Accident & Emergency Department. Patients often endure hours before receiving care, while overwhelmed staff struggle to manage the volume of cases. The result is a demoralised workforce, frustrated citizens, and a healthcare system that inspires little confidence. This inefficiency ripples into productivity, as workers and caregivers lose valuable time waiting for basic services.
Polyclinics, which should serve as more accessible alternatives for routine medical care, fare no better. Whether it’s a dental check-up, an eye examination, or a general consultation, wait times are notoriously long. Many individuals must take entire days off work for a 15-minute appointment. This disrupts businesses, diminishes overall productivity, and leaves citizens feeling helpless and undervalued.
The education sector is equally concerning, with frequent school closures disrupting learning. During the 2023-2024 academic year, schools such as Grantley Adams Memorial School, The Lester Vaughan School, Wesley Hall School, Mount Tabor Primary School, Ann Hill School, St Giles Primary School, Luther Thorne Memorial Primary School, St Paul’s Primary School faced constant interruptions.
Parents are often called away from work to collect their children due to infrastructural issues, teacher shortages, or other challenges. This not only places undue pressure on parents but also disrupts workplaces. The constant interruptions undermine both workplace efficiency and the education of our children.
Inefficiencies also plague key public institutions like the Barbados Licensing Authority and the Barbados Revenue Authority. Routine tasks such as renewing a driver’s licence, paying land taxes, or obtaining an identification card often require hours of queueing. These delays, often due to outdated processes, waste valuable time that could otherwise be spent meaningfully contributing to the economy.
The judiciary is another critical area where delays prevail. Long waits and repeated adjournments in criminal and domestic law courts are common. Each delay forces individuals to take additional time off work.
One can almost predict that each time there is a news article about the justice system, the word “backlog” will be mentioned.
Just a few days ago, after the swearing-in of new judges, Barbados TODAY carried a story with the headline, New High Court justices vow to tackle case backlog. Likewise, when Chief Justice Leslie Haynes was sworn in last May, the headline declared, Chief Justice champions mediation to ease court backlog.
Justice delayed is justice denied, and the cumulative negative effects on productivity and public trust in the legal system are profound.
Even the private sector, while comparatively more efficient, is not without fault. Reduced operating hours, inadequate staffing, and a lack of urgency in customer service mirror some of the inefficiencies seen in the public sector.
If we are to grow as a nation and build a thriving economy, these inefficiencies must be addressed. The government must lead by example, prioritising reforms that streamline processes, modernise infrastructure and ensure adequate staffing. A culture of accountability must be fostered, supported by investment in technology to reduce manual workflows, enhanced training programmes for public servants, and stricter timelines for service delivery.
Private sector stakeholders must also commit to higher standards, recognising that their success is tied to the nation’s overall productivity.
Barbados’ potential will remain unrealised until these inefficiencies are confronted directly. A productive nation begins with a commitment to excellence, and excellence starts with exceptional service.
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