The Tribune

DURING a nationally televised Labour Day address Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson stressed that the government is focused on amending legislation and establishing policies that will protect Bahamian workers.

He noted that over the past year, the government has “expanded the dialogue” with social partners and held regular meetings with union leaders.

Mr Gibson outlined several initiatives the government has undertaken to strengthen the labour movement. He noted that the National Tripartite Council Bill is in the committee stage in the House of Assembly and awaiting recommendations from social partners before it is sent to the Senate for debate and passage.

The government also recently debated and passed the Industrial Relations (Validation of Trade Unions) Amendment Bill.

“This critical and significant bill was necessary to safeguard the wellbeing of thousands of Bahamian workers who would have been adversely affected by the involuntary dissolution of their respective trade unions as it ensured that the trade unions are compliant with the statute laws of The Bahamas,” Mr Gibson said.

He added that last month the government tabled an amendment to the Health & Safety At Work Act.

“This amendment is designed to work in tandem with the Health & Safety Regulations and when passed, will give the Inspectors from the OSHA Unit within the Labour Department more teeth for monitoring and enforcing regulations thereby ensuring safety in the workplace.”

Mr Gibson said he has also invited social partners to submit recommendations to the government for an increase in the national minimum wage before the end of this year. “It is my hope that the much needed increase in the minimum wage will contribute to the further economic development of Bahamian workers.”

He added: “Additionally, as the minister of labour and national insurance, I fully support the establishment of a National Redundancy Fund from which Bahamian workers who are made redundant by dishonest employers or by employers who are unable to make redundancy payments, will be able to access their statutory entitlements without delay.”