The Coronavirus pandemic has seen a massive shift in the way people work. Commutes were off limits so remote working became the norm for those able to embrace technology and be productive at home. It is now estimated by Global Workplace Analytics that 25 to 30% of the world’s workforce will be working from home multiple days a week by the end of 2021.
Permission to work by the beach in Barbados is on the way
The Coronavirus pandemic has seen a massive shift in the way people work. Commutes were off limits so remote working became the norm for those able to embrace technology and be productive at home. It is now estimated by Global Workplace Analytics that 25 to 30% of the world’s workforce will be working from home multiple days a week by the end of 2021.
However, staring at the same four walls can grow old very quickly so an announcement by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, has caused some excitement. She revealed in a speech earlier this month that the Barbados government is developing a special visa for workers wanting to swap home for island life for up to a year at a time. The ‘Barbados Welcome Stamp’ will “allow people from the United States, Europe and Latin America to come and do their jobs digitally for a couple of months and then go back home, if they feel they can work better in a more relaxed atmosphere such as next to a beach.” she said.
Being by the ocean has been proven to boost a person’s health and mood, both of which can be negatively impacted by prolonged isolation. Simultaneously, Barbados would benefit financially from the additional tourism associated with the remote workers. Barbados is highly dependent on travel and tourism as a source of revenue according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
Another benefit of remote working in Barbados is for Black Americans who are increasingly looking to move abroad to escape the institutional racism and discrimination still so persistent in America, as represented by the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement.
While the ‘Barbados Welcome Stamp’ is in its final stages of development, the island began welcoming international travelers back from Sunday the 12th of July. It has also been reported that airlines JetBlue and American Airlines will resume commercial flights from the US on the 25th of July and the 5th of August, respectively.
Click here to find out more information on global travel restrictions.