Former Opposition leader Bishop Joseph Atherley hopes that Barbados’ next International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme does not mean more economic hardships for Barbadians.Saying he was not surprised by Government’s move to secure more IMF funding, Bishop Atherley stated his fear is that citizens would be forced to endure stringent measures that may make it difficult for them to cope in the current economic climate.“The question is, once you re-enter a new arrangement, what will be the conditions attached to that? What does this mean for Barbadians who are already facing difficult economic times? But I have been saying since last year that I believe this Government will have to go back to the IMF for funding,” he said.
