Barbados has made history by becoming the first country in CARICOM to introduce paid paternity leave — a landmark achievement that Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, described as a proud moment for the island and a major step forward in supporting working families.
Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday as the Family Leave Bill was debated following its passage in the House of Assembly, Sen. Cummins said the new law places Barbados “proudly ahead” of its regional peers in ensuring that both parents are supported during the early stages of family life.
- Advertisement -
Under the legislation, maternity leave will be extended from 12 to 14 weeks for single births and to 17 weeks for multiple births, while fathers will now be entitled to three weeks of paid paternity leave — a first for both Barbados and the wider CARICOM region.
“In the Caribbean region, there are a couple of countries that have started to have this conversation,” Sen. Cummins explained. “In the Dominican Republic, there are two days of paid paternity leave by law. In Jamaica, there have been moves to introduce paternity leave announced by policy but not yet legislated. Suriname offers eight days of paid leave. No other CARICOM country has paid paternity leave. On this issue, Barbados has not been afraid to lead.”
She acknowledged that developed nations provide far more generous parental leave but said Barbados’ progress was notable given its economic size and status as a small developing nation. “In Japan, paternity leave can extend up to 52 weeks of paid leave for fathers. South Korea offers one year, Sweden provides 480 days shared between parents, Iceland gives each parent six months, and Norway grants 15 weeks,” she said. “Every country I’ve mentioned has a GDP in the trillions. They are not developing states. Yet Barbados is making meaningful steps within its means.”
Sen. Cummins also highlighted National Insurance Scheme (NIS) data to show the country’s ongoing investment in family support. In 2015, there were approximately 1,300 beneficiaries of maternity benefits, costing $6.9 million. The number rose to 1,462 in 2016 at a cost of $7.4 million but declined over time, reaching 1,017 beneficiaries in 2021 ($5.7 million) and 842 so far in 2025 ($5.4 million). “If we were to assume a similar pattern for paternity benefits, we can begin to understand the scale of this social investment,” she said.
Beyond the financial figures, Sen. Cummins stressed that the initiative represents a deeper commitment to social well-being and family unity. “There is a moment you never forget when your child is born,” she reflected. “Those first few weeks and years shape the person your child will become. Investing in families during that time strengthens our society.”
Calling the measure both “critical” and “groundbreaking,” she said it demonstrates Barbados’ determination to modernize its social care framework and ensure that men have an equal role in parenting. “This is about building strong families and giving every child the best start in life,” she concluded.
