The government is set to finalise the merger of its social services departments into a single state-run entity within the next two to three months, according to Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey.This major reform, which will combine the Welfare Department, Child Care Board, National Disabilities Unit, and National Assistance Board, aims to improve the efficiency of child protection measures and streamline various services.Humphrey told Barbados TODAY: “We have now the draft legislation for the amalgamated entity, which is the biggest part of it. And we are working with the unions to finalise the job descriptions—all the job descriptions we’ve done over for every category of worker.”The minister emphasised that unions were meticulously reviewing the job descriptions to protect workers’ interests. “I support that process, having been in the union all of my life,” he said.Despite some outstanding issues related to workers’ concerns, Humphrey expressed optimism about resolving these matters. “We have met with all staff and departments within the ministry, and there is significant buy-in. Some outstanding issues that have nothing to do with the amalgamation are holding back the process, but we are working through them,” he explained.