Legislation to Protect Vulnerable Groups in Barbados Set to Go Before Parliament by End of Financial Year

The promised slew of legislation aimed at protecting the disabled, the elderly and other vulnerable groups should go before Parliament by the end of the current financial year.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey gave this indication on Friday, as he expressed disappointment that authorities have been getting a lot of things “half right” over the years when it came to the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups in Barbados.

He said while a lot of progress has been made over the years, Barbados was still “very much behind” when it came to achieving inclusivity and equality for vulnerable groups.

“Yes, we need to have growth and economic development, but you also need to put in place policies that focus specifically on persons who are more vulnerable,” he told participants at the opening of a workshop for people with disabilities, at the Derrick Smith School and Vocational Centre.

Stating that authorities needed to be more intentional in ensuring the protection of vulnerable groups, Humphrey said while Barbados had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities since 2013, legislation and other policy measures were still missing.

However, he reported that the policy was recently completed and draft legislation has been approved by Cabinet, and was before the Chief Parliamentary Counsel.

“I hope before the end of the financial year, to take to Parliament legislation that will protect and empower persons with disabilities and recognise their rights in this country. It is very much overdue. I hope to be able to do that very soon,” he said.

Adding that the legislation will be accompanied by “a whole set of action plans”, Humphrey added: “So, yes, we have been able to achieve a lot, but we have to do more.”

“I would like to get the disability legislation by the end of March 31, 2024. I would like to have the draft legislation for the elderly, at least to Cabinet, again, by the end of the financial year, and that would make me very happy.

“I would like to debate the Child Protection Policy by the end of March; however, it is revised as a result of this consultative process now with the Select Committee. These vulnerable groups cannot wait for us to over-intellectualise policies, legislations and programmes that make sense for people. We will make the changes where necessary but we have to implement, implement, implement,” he insisted.

Humphrey agreed there was a need to include people with disabilities in every aspect of development, including use of technology.