As the year draws to a close, the Black Knight Bikers would like to extend our warmest season’s greetings to all our members, families, supporters, and the entire community. This festive season, we take a moment to reflect on the amazing journey we’ve shared—one filled with unforgettable rides, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

This season is a time to embrace love, togetherness, and reflection, and as bikers, we understand the importance of community and the power of supporting each other. Throughout the year, we’ve faced challenges, celebrated milestones, and ridden together with one common goal: to make a positive impact in the world around us. Our brotherhood has been a source of strength, and we are grateful for each member who contributes to the spirit of our group.

As we enjoy the holidays with our loved ones, let’s also remember those in need. In the true spirit of Christmas, we are excited to announce that on January 21st, 2025, we will be having our annual Food Basket Drive. This initiative is just one way we continue to give back and share the joy of the season with those less fortunate. We encourage everyone to get involved, whether by donating food, helping pack baskets, or volunteering time. Together, we can spread the love and support our community in a meaningful way.

As we prepare for a new year filled with new adventures and opportunities, let’s continue to live by the values that define the Black Knight Bikers—camaraderie, giving, and riding with purpose. May this holiday season inspire us to bring even more joy, kindness, and generosity to the world around us. Let’s make 2025 a year to remember, filled with kindness, unity, and plenty of miles on the road ahead.

From all of us Black Knight Bikers, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and love, and may the road ahead bring new adventures, new friendships, and continued success.

The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) has called for a reset and reemphasis on creating sustainable and equitable employment opportunities to address rising crime and the escalating cost of living.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, CTUSAB General Secretary Dennis de Peiza expressed concern about the apparent connection between unemployment, underemployment, and the increase in violent crimes, even as official data indicates an unemployment rate of seven percent.
De Peiza questioned whether this statistic accurately reflects the reality, particularly for young people. He pointed to the prevalence of temporary, short-term, or casual employment among the youth, often accompanied by wages that fall below acceptable standards for decent work.
“It would appear that many young persons are not employed, or are employed on a temporary or short-term basis, or engaged in casual work,” he noted. “Moreover, the fact that they are paid substandard wages falls far from what is acceptable under the provision of decent work, and therefore jobs on offer may not appear to be attractive to this age group. If this is what prevails, then it is more than likely a real contributing factor to the social deviance and criminal activity which is being experienced.”
He emphasized that while numerous large-scale projects have been promised to commence on the island, it is crucial to ensure that the resulting job opportunities are prioritized for local workers rather than foreign labour.
“A lot of the plans and promises of projects to come on stream, we have to ensure that those things happen. But when we do that, we have to make sure that there are jobs for Barbadians. This whole thing of importing a whole lot of people from all over the place… it seems to me that we always want to import workers and claim that there are no Barbadians fit for the job. If we start that practice, then we are going to have a problem.”

Despite rising cost-of-living pressures, there has not been a notable increase in Barbadians seeking financial or welfare assistance, according to Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey.

Humphrey shared this observation during a recent event where Chickmont Foods Ltd donated $10,000 worth of food vouchers to the ministry’s One Family Programme.
The minister noted “We have not really seen an increase in terms of the number of people who came forward over the last few years,” he said. “We’ve gone through the numbers, we were in estimates last week budgeting, and we were looking at demand this year as compared to demand last year. We have not seen an increase in numbers.

He explained, “What we have done over the year is that we have gone forward – what we decided since the back-to-school programme, is that there were a number of persons who come every year, people who are known to the departments, we set up a greenlight situation where a person who is known to the ministry or known to welfare, they get their support upfront. So it reduces the level of pressure.”

Humphrey however praised the contribution of corporate Barbados towards the ministry’s efforts to help support he less fortunate. He said: “Every Christmas we see a number of new entities [coming] forward, a number of small organisations who are also helping [to ease] the pressure at that level. Through the One Family we’ve seen significant support from Light and Power, Chickmont now, Sandy Lane Trust, JetBlue… a number of persons have come forward to help us carry the burden.”