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Department of Labour ~ National Productivity Legislation Workshop

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working2#Bahamas, September 26, 2017 – Nassau – As the Department of Labour continues to fulfill its’ mission of fostering good industrial relations between employers and employees, while promoting high levels of employment, the Department facilitated a two-day “Productivity Legislation Workshop” from September 20 – 21, 2017.    The workshop, sponsored by the International Labour Organization and the National Tripartite Council, brought all social partners to the table to discuss the state of productivity and competitiveness in The Bahamas.    Social partners included executives of The Bahamas Department of Labor as well as participants from various trade unions, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation, corporations and other local agencies.

On Wednesday, 21st September, at the opening ceremony of the two day workshop, brief remarks were given by representatives from each pillar of the National Tripartite Council including Mr. Bernard Evans, President of the National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB); Mr. Peter Goudie, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation (BCCEC); Mr. Tyrone “Rock” Morris, Secretary General, Commonwealth of The Bahamas Trade Union Congress (CBTUC) and Mr. Kelvin Sergeant, ILO Specialist for Sustainable Enterprise & Job Creation.

working5Mr. Bernard Evans stated in remarks at the opening that after more than 20 years of advocacy for implementation of the Productivity Council here in The Bahamas, it would provide hope in an effort to save a generation of unskilled, unprepared working Bahamians who are ill-equipped to compete on a level both regionally and internationally.    He noted that the main objective of the two day workshop would be to bring together key stakeholders in the various sectors to strategize on productivity improvement and competitiveness with special focus on private sector; to develop a National Action Plan for Productivity Development in The Bahamas.

Mr. Evans stated that the plan should outline the performance priority areas, the key indicators of performance on all islands and also focus on a system for monitoring performance and assignment of responsibilities by all stakeholders.    Also, to establish a Bahamian organization of Productivity Agents that will promote the development of productivity and performance-related activities to facilitate regional and international competitiveness and sustainability in production of goods and services within all of our islands.    This, he noted, will improve the quality of life for workers and citizens alike.    Mr. Evans suggests that legislation is a start and is hopeful that the current Government administration will commit to putting necessary legislation in place to begin the process.

sergeantSimilarly, Mr. Kelvin Sergeant, ILO Specialist for Sustainable Enterprise & Job Creation is pleased with productivity becoming a critical word in The Bahamas over the past few years.   He is encouraged that there are a broad range of voices – from politicians and business groups to economists, academics and unions – who are talking about productivity and what should be done to get performance up to speed.    He noted that in order to achieve the acceleration of productive growth in The Bahamas, it requires a country-specific mix of policies aimed at creating an environment conducive to sustainable enterprises, building human capital in basic education including technical and core skills, encouraging the application of decent and productive workplace practices, addressing sector-specific challenges, promoting environmental-friendly technology and ways of doing business.

Mr. Sergeant specifically noted that the focus for the two day workshop would be frank discussions on the importance of productivity performance and what the productivity challenges are in The Bahamas.   The interventions needed at all levels of productivity improvement, including the need for legislation to establish a national productivity council is also a paramount focus.

The Minister of Labour, Senator the Hon. Dion A. Foulkes officially opened the workshop by thanking the ILO Team, including Claudia Coenjaerts and Kelvin Sergeant, for their exceptional job in executing the mandate of the ILO in the region.    Minister Foulkes stated that the Government of The Bahamas cannot achieve the goal of increasing economic growth through National Productivity by itself, therefore he congratulated the organizers of the workshop and pledged the Government’s full commitment to continue to work with the International Labour Organization, the National Tripartite Council and all of the social partners to fully implement a National Productivity Council.  Minister Foulkes declared the historic workshop open and noted that he looked forward to the results of the deliberations over the two days.

The workshop was held at the Department of Labour on Rosetta Street and included discussions and work sessions on The State of Productivity and Competitiveness in The Bahamas, Understanding Productivity and its relation to economic growth and Economic Transformation and Policy Reponses.

Director of Labour, Mr. A. Robert Farquharson advised that he was pleased with the work completed during the workshop and looks forward to presenting the results to the Minister.

Press Release: Department of Labour

Photo captions:

Header: Group of workshop participants representing the Department of Labour, ILO, National Tripartite Council and other social partners.

1st insert:  Workshop participants at the National Productivity Legislation Workshop.

2nd insert:Peter Goudie, presenting to the workshop participants.

3rd insert: Workshop Facilitator, Kelvin Sergeant, ILO Specialist for Sustainable Enterprise & Job Creation presenting to the workshop participants. 

 

 

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Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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