Imagine living in a world where your life, your work, and your entire existence were not your own. This was the reality for countless Africans who were enslaved and brought to Barbados by the British. A recent report sheds light on the staggering scale of this exploitation, which has left an estimated £1.6 trillion in value lost.

The report, led by economist Coleman Bazelon, used economic modelling, demographic data, and historical records to calculate the depth of exploitation over more than two centuries of ownership-based bondage. The findings are not just numbers; they represent the lives and labour of 379,000 Africans who were forcibly brought to Barbados, with close to 78,000 losing their lives during the sea journey.

The report also estimates that unpaid labour by enslaved people created wealth worth £400 billion to £560 billion. However, the true extent of the damage goes beyond just lost wages, as the researchers have calculated that the shorter lives of enslaved people add another £900 billion to £1.05 trillion to the total loss. Bazelon emphasizes that this research is not about creating an 'invoice' for compensation but rather 'an accounting of the harm that was done … a recognition of the harm that was done that is the starting point for reconciliation.'

The history of Barbados under British rule is complex and multifaceted. From the 1700s, the island was at the heart of British colonial expansion through large-scale farming settlements. Today, Barbados is part of the Caribbean Community, an alliance that demands historical redress. The report builds on earlier research, including a 2023 evaluation by Brattle, which focused on forced labour systems throughout American and Caribbean territories.

The discussion around reparations and redress is ongoing, with some nations, including the UK, refusing to support direct financial transfers. However, advocacy organisations, such as Heirs of Slavery, continue to demand recognition of historical responsibility. As Barbados's minister for Pan-African affairs and heritage, Trevor Prescod, puts it, 'I feel the public must walk with us to our destination … Many areas of progress that we were denied will be at the heart of our call and claims for reparations and reparatory justice.'