in its workforce, as a result of several factors, including a significant decline in population. Figures published by the Population Commission shows that the island nation is short of up to 100,000 people less than expected, which, according to Prime Minister Mia Mottley, means that the people of the nation should “work harder and harder and harder” for their sustenance.
Against this backdrop, the Barbadian leader called on the country’s diaspora community to return home, if they intend to assist the country in moving forward. “We want to encourage you to come on home, come on home,” she Wednesday (24 Nov) during a virtual Prime Ministerial Global Town Hall Meeting for Bajans living overseas. Underscoring the need for continued engagement of our citizens in terms of investment, in terms of skills” in order to expand the country’s growth, PM Mottley called on Foreign Minister Jerome Walcott and the Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Trade Sandra Husbands to work together in order to produce a database.
“Without a database we don’t have information that is capable of manipulation. And I continue to say if you have not registered with the various embassies or high commissions or consulates then we’re asking you to do so,” she noted. “Very so often we would say ‘who in the diaspora can do ‘a, b, c’ or who in the diaspora can provide ‘d, e, f’?’ Without your participation it’s going to become difficult, and we have to rely on word of mouth,” she told the members of the diaspora.
The Prime Minister also pointed to the new Immigration Bill, which is currently in the process of being drafted. She noted that the piece of legislation will ensure that the great grandchildren of Barbadians will have the opportunity to competitively participate through a point system. “There are opportunities here to help build out. We believe you can engage the world in the digital and creative economy from here… Come home and engage the world from here,” she said.
