DLP Manifesto Promises: 64 Days Left (and 1 Promise already broken)

One third of the 100 days have already gone! But doan worry… ’cause Bajans got short memories.

The Democratic Labour Party 2008 Manifesto made a number of promises to the people of Barbados should that party be voted into government. Three of them were promised “within 100 days” and five of them were promised “immediately”. The first official day of work for the new government was Tuesday 22 January 2008. It is now the night of Tuesday 26 February 2008 and there are 64 days left until the deadline of 30 April 2008.

One of the promises which was to happen “immediately” has already been broken.

The promises are:

PROMISED WITHIN 100 DAYS

Page 9. In the first 100 days of the new DLP administration remove VAT from building materials on houses valued up to $400,000.

Page 12. To this end and within the first 100 days of our administration the Democratic Labour Party government will convene a National Consultation on Education…

Page 42. The DLP Government will therefore: In the first 100 days introduce the Agriculture Protection Act that will require a 2/3 majority of both houses of parliament for a change of use of land from agriculture. We will reserve 30, 000 acres for agricultural use.

PROMISED IMMEDIATELY

Page 11. A new DLP Government will immediately embark on a health promotion campaign to sensitize the public to the dangers of unhealthy lifestyles;

Page 24. Immediately review the current Central Bank procedures for approving capital account transactions with a view to simplifying and speeding up the approval (or denial) process for restricted transactions.

Page 33. Additionally a new DLP administration will: Re-examine the Port charges with a view to significantly reducing these to manufacturers. Tonnage dues are charged twice – on raw materials when imported and again on finished products when being exported. This needs to be addressed immediately since it is a burdensome cost. Free along side charges (FAS) continue to be out of proportion with our competitors.

BROKEN PROMISE!

Page 36. Conversely, a new DLP government will move to immediately enact a comprehensive national Labour Rights legislative compendium which will include the following:

• A Full Employment Rights Act

• An Alternative Disputes Settlement and Arbitration Committee

• A Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Act

• National minimum wages legislation

• Legislation fully recognizing Trade Unions.

Page 48. The Democratic Labour Party will also:

Immediately introduce integrity legislation requiring

• a declaration of assets by public officials,

• a Code of Conduct for Ministers,

• a new Freedom of Information law,

• amendments to the Defamation laws and

• new constitutional provisions to rationalise the powers of the Prime Minister.

SOURCE: http://www.barbadosvotes.org/pdf/2008_DLP_Manifesto.pdf

The people of this country are watching and waiting (some like hawks, some like vultures) to see how many of these manifesto promises will be fulfilled by the new DLP government.

36 gone, 64 to go.

De Standpipe Crew