The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune  Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRESIDENT of the Bahamas Public Service Union John Pinder said he is investigating claims that some construction workers at the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute in Andros have not been paid overtime.

“I have been receiving some information that because of certain contractors and political connections, they are trying to take advantage of the labourers,” Mr Pinder said.

On Monday, a construction worker at the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) site, who wished to remain anonymous to protect his job, alleged that at least some contractors have not paid workers overtime pay. He also questioned if National Insurance Board (NIB) contributions were being made on the workers’ behalf. The man said: “A bunch of them getting away with this. We working long hours. People want (the project) to survive. The island (has not) had this feeling for years. The locals want it who looking at life differently now. Then you have people who it appears couldn’t care less and are only in it for their money.”

He said he spoke to labour leaders about the issue who told him they would look into the matter.

“If someone broke into your house and you report it, how long it supposed to take before the police react?” he asked, criticising what he sees as slowness of action from labour leaders concerning the issue.

He claimed the majority of workers are not satisfied with the conditions and frequently complain about them.

“We working overtime and ain’ being paid,” he said. “I would work from 7am to 10pm, no overtime. No promises of overtime have been made.”

Mr Pinder said he has received complaints about unfair practices by the contractors, including issues of hourly rates and how Bahamians are treated by comparison to foreigners. He has also heard concerns from some workers over the status of National Insurance Board contributions on their behalf.

“Every employer has to comply with the Employment Act, which says that NIB (must) be paid,” the union leader said.

“Nobody is above the law. And any person who works after eight hours is entitled to overtime pay. That provision does not protect managers and supervisors and people who work essential shifts, but everyone else. Employees have a right to file a grievance at the Department of Labour and employers who fail to do this could be prosecuted.”

Mr Pinder said he has been working on organising the construction workers into an association.

“They have a short term contract so it’s difficult to form a union. But they could form an association which confronts the government to put in place certain regulations to govern the industry.”

On Monday, Local Government Minister V Alfred Gray told this newspaper he will investigate the issue, but added that the concerns would have to be dealt with by Labour Minister Shane Gibson, who is responsible for NIB.

“We want people to be treated fairly and we want our employees to be treated in accordance with the law,” he said.

Mr Gibson said on Monday that he is not aware of the workers’ concerns.

In February, the government signed 14 contracts totalling $20 million on Andros. The contracts were for the construction of five main buildings at BAMSI, including the administration building, dorms for men and women, a lecture theatre and campus cafeteria.

“We have hired some of the top Bahamian construction firms, including Brokell Construction, Paradigm Construction, Gimp Construction, Andarco and Sydamar Construction,” Prime Minister Perry Christie said during a contract signing ceremony on February 21.

BAMSI, a highly touted government project, has been created to revolutionize the farming and marine industry in the country, eventually establishing a new era in food self sufficiency and food exports for the Bahamas.