The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net 

THE National Tripartite Council (NTC) has reconvened with an ambitious three-year agenda, focusing on living wages, decent work conditions, and improved worker benefits.

Sharon Martin, the council’s re-elected chairman, also announced plans yesterday to recommend the establishment of a national wage-setting committee to the government.

She explained that the committee’s primary task will be to review Cabinet’s mandate, focusing on the ongoing analysis of minimum wage versus liveable wage, and the feasibility of implementation based on economic forecasts, realistic timelines and local business conditions.

She said representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO) are willing to support its work, while the council has engaged strategic partners, including the Bahamas National Statistics Unit and the University of The Bahamas’ Government and Public Policy Unit, for their continued involvement in this work.

In July, Labour Minister Pia Glover-Rolle said the government wants to raise the minimum wage again soon but did not provide a timeline, citing the need for input from relevant stakeholders.

Union leaders have called for the minimum wage to increase to $350 per week, but the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) opposes any further wage hikes.

Ms Martin said the council plans to gather input from a broad section of society regarding a potential second minimum wage increase.

“There’s an holistic approach,” said Quinton LaRoda, council member. “When we did the research as a council for increasing the minimum wage, we considered all of these things because at the end of the day, if your wages increase, but the cost of living and the cost of goods also increase, then your buying power remains stagnant and very soon you’d find out that, notwithstanding you’re making more money, you’re able to afford less. And so when we look at all of these things as a council, we take a comprehensive approach.”

The Ministry of Labour’s special task force is also expected to complete a white paper on labour legislative reform after a consultative review process.

Among the recommendations is amending the Employment Act to raise the minimum employment age to 16.

A 2023 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report recommended raising the minimum age of employment to 16 to align with the minimum school-leaving age.

Ms Martin added that social partners will be invited to present their policies by the first quarter of 2025.