Nearly all staff from the four social service departments merging under the government’s new Social Empowerment Agency (SEA) have volunteered to join, with the long-awaited body set to begin operations next month, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, announced on Monday.
The new social services agency is a merger of the Child Care Board, National Assistance Board, National Disabilities Unit, and the Welfare Department.
The announcement came in response to reports that progress in moving forward with the rebranded Social Empowerment Agency (SEA) had stalled due to issues with the unions representing the workers.
Humphrey told Barbados TODAY: “There’s no pause. We have worked steadily with the union from the inception and all meetings with unions are routine almost now. We are receiving from staff if they have voluntarily agreed to come over to the new agency, with an outstanding amount officially saying they are joining. So, we have no real issue at the moment and will launch next month.
“Suffice it to say we are on stream for launching next month with almost 100 per cent agreeing voluntarily. We must await a few more responses, but I am pleased with the response.”
The minister declined to supply figures for those employees who have so far agreed to come on board, compared to the others who have said ‘no’, but promised to address the media when “we are fully ready shortly”.
The purpose of the new agency is to provide comprehensive support to vulnerable citizens – including children, the elderly, and people with disabilities – to foster independence and reduce poverty through services and empowerment programmes, according to the minister.
The SEA aims to provide a more modern and effective approach to social services in the country, he said, adding that the goal is to move individuals from a state of dependency to interdependence through skills development, capacity building and support services.
The agency will offer a range of services, including counselling for children in need of care, social support for the elderly, and services for people with disabilities.
A key focus is shifting from traditional welfare to empowerment, with dedicated departments within the agency focusing on children, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
To improve accessibility, the government plans to establish empowerment centres across the island to ensure services are available to people in all communities.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
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