BAHAMAS: Press Statement from the Minister of Labour on The Pointe Development

#Bahamas, May 04, 2018 – Nassau – The Ministry of Labour now confirms that a meeting was held on Wednesday (May 2, 2018) with Mr. Daniel Liu, President of The Pointe Development, his Vice-President and Legal Counsel.   A report produced by the Department of Labour, with respect to the composition of the workforce at the project, was presented for review and response.  The report reveals that there are 73 non-Bahamian workers and 24 Bahamians presently on site.

The Heads of Agreement calls for a 70% Bahamian/30% non Bahamian workforce composition.  The explanation noted is that the present stage of construction, representing the second phase of The Pointe Development, is the erection of the superstructure.  This requires specialized post tension concrete structure workers to complete this phase in a very short time frame. Qualified Bahamians have and continue to be sought.  In the following phases substantially more Bahamian workers and contractors will be engaged in order to comply with the overall 70% Bahamian/30% non Bahamian workforce composition.

The Pointe Development construction is scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2020. With factors related to the technical aspects of the present construction phase and the expected long term build up of Bahamian workers, the Ministry of Labour has concluded that the Pointe Development is not in breach of the Heads of Agreement.

The British Colonial Hotel complex also owned by the developer of The Pointe has 2 non Bahamian workers and 275 Bahamian employees.   Upon completion, The Pointe Development will boast 500 full time Bahamian workers.

The Ministry of Labour, and by extension, the Department of Labour, remains committed to employment and contractual opportunities for Bahamians.

Press Statement from

Minister of Labour

Senator the Hon. Dion A. Foulkes