Equitable Repayment Practices
When it comes to a government and its people, accountability must go both ways. For too long, Barbadians, whether ordinary citizens, pensioners, small business owners, or contractors, have endured unreasonable delays in receiving payments owed by the Government of Barbados. Meanwhile, when citizens owe the government, penalties, interest, and enforcement actions are swiftly applied. This double standard must end!
We are advocating for interest to be imposed on government when it owes people. Under a Friends of Democracy administration, legislation would be introduced to ensure that interest is applied to any sum owed by the Government of Barbados to individuals, companies, or institutions, once that payment is delayed beyond an agreed contractual or statutory timeframe.
This policy would apply to delayed pension payments or gratuities to retirees and public servants, late payments to vendors, contractors, and service providers who have fulfilled government contracts and rebates or refunds owed by government agencies, such as tax returns or NIS reimbursements.
Expanding our Energy Sector
We recognize that true energy independence and consumer empowerment cannot be achieved under a monopoly-controlled electricity grid. For too long, Barbados Light & Power (BL&P) has maintained exclusive control over power generation and distribution, resulting in high electricity prices for households and businesses, limited innovation in renewable energy technologies and slow transition to sustainable energy systems.
We will enact legislative and regulatory reforms that break the monopoly held by BL&P and creates a competitive and diversified energy market with multiple providers.
Abolition of taxes on pensions
We must accept the fact that pensions are salaries deferred to the worthy recipients. With that in mind, we are of the opinion that after contributing to the tax system of the country for in some instances thirty-three and a third (33 1/3) years and more in some cases, the government or private sector employee has made his or her significant contribution to the consolidated fund and by extension to the upkeep, maintenance and governance of the country.
As a golden handshake to those categories of workers, we propose to exempt sixty seven percent (67%) of all pensions received by these former workers from any taxes or government impositions.
Therefore, only 33% of the paid pensions will be taxable or attract any government impositions.
Land tax that liberates you
We are committed to creating a tax regime that works for the many, not the few. This land tax policy represents a bold step toward a more just and economically secure Barbados, where no family has to fear eviction or financial ruin simply because they dared to own a home.
Protect vulnerable homeowners from losing property due to tax burdens.
1
Stimulate the housing market by making ownership more attractive and affordable.
2
Encourage land development and reduce vacancy or under-use of residential land.
3
Uphold tax justice by ensuring that commercial entities and wealthier landowners carry a fairer share of the national tax responsibility.
4
Properties valued up to $400,000 will be exempt from land tax. Those properties valued at over $401,000 will pay on only the first $100,000 of that value. Land tax will remain on all commercial properties.
Removal of Solid Waste Tax on Un-serviced Properties
The solid waste tax will only apply to the properties serviced by the existing sewage treatment plants or those households that will subsequently be attached to any new sewage treatment facility. The rationale is that it is unfair and unjust that households not using sewage treatment plants be charged or levied for a service they are not receiving. The Friends of Democracy will implement as the resources allow to completely sewer the entire island.
From Approval to Implementation
There ought to be the creation of a Department of Policies and Programmes Implementation with a director and requisite professional staff to oversee all implementation and operationalisation of new government policies and programmes after approval by Cabinet, to the point where the mechanics of the policies are fully known and familiar to the respective departments or agencies who will eventually administer them.
This department will have complete oversight of the policy implementation stage in all government departments to ensure that government policy is operationalized with thought, efficiency, and professionalism.
