Bahamas News
Labour Legislation Reform Symposium laid foundation for the future of the Bahamian workforce
NASSAU, The Bahamas — The Ministry of Labour and the Public Service held a three-day Labour Legislation Reform Symposium, July 29-31, 2024 at Holy Trinity Activity Centre, Stapledon Gardens. Minister of Labour and the Public Service the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle closed the symposium stating the forum was conceived as an opportunity for dialogue, constructive feedback, and problem
solving with major stakeholders in the process of crafting a modern public service legislation agenda.
REMARKS
BY
THE HONOURABLE PIA GLOVER-ROLLE, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR GOLDEN GATES AND MINISTER OF
LABOUR AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE
2024 LABOUR LEGISLATION SYMPOSIUM CLOSING
WEDNESDAY, 31 JULY 2024
Good Day,
I am so enthused about being here with you on the final day of this symposium.
It was such a pleasure to re-join you today for that very informative debriefing session.
That debrief left me feeling inspired and ready to get to work to bring this new labour era into fruition.
This symposium was conceived as an opportunity for dialogue, constructive feedback, and problem solving with our major stakeholders as we craft a modern labour and public service legislative agenda.
Based on the feedback I’ve been getting, this process has largely been a success.
And that is thanks to your willingness to engage in passionate, insightful, and honest discussions on the way forward.
You’ve discussed topics as diverse and vast as the complete revamping and replacement of General Orders, the strengthening of child labour laws, the modernisation of Occupational Safety and Health Standards, the introduction of paternal leave, the development of
modern, inclusive laws related to mental health and people living with disabilities, various amendments to the Employment and Industrial Relations Acts, and even the new Contributory Pension Plan, among many other topics.
I don’t believe any area of our labour and public service framework that requires change was left untouched.
Most importantly, we were able to capture the full range of opinions on each topic, so that as we move forward with this process, we will have a complete picture of the various perspectives on the issues at hand and be better informed to make the most important decisions.
The agitation and advocacy for reforms we’ve all done from within our respective lanes in recent years has culminated in this first ever Labour Legislative Reform Symposium, which will now provide a strong starting point as we modernise and strengthen our labour and public service laws.
The timing of this symposium is so critical. Each day that goes by that we fail to enact these changes is another day that we fall further behind the mark for 21st century innovation and excellence.
Given the urgent need for change, this symposium represents one of the most critical components of our agenda. During my very first budget speech in the House of Assembly, I declared that our work would be so comprehensive that no law, order, or regulation would be deemed too sacred to touch. Since then, we’ve been hard at work within the Ministry, and I know that you have all been working in your respective organizations, to drive change on behalf of Bahamian workers.
However, as productive as we have been individually, our best work happens when we work together. And that is what this week was all about – working together for the common good.
We should be very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, not just this week, but in the less than three years since this administration first took office.
We should be proud because around the region and across the world, countries are discussing doing many of the things we have already done or are currently taking action on.
As I said on Monday, we have been recognised regionally and internationally for the progress we have made. Now that we have taken this important step forward with this Legislative Reform Symposium, we will keep the momentum going.
The levels of cooperation and collaboration we experienced this week sets the tone for how we must work together going forward. When we are all willing to come to the table in the spirit of collaboration, compromise, and solutions-oriented discussions, it is Bahamian workers who benefit most.
Just think about what we’ve been able to accomplish today. When these laws are fully developed and implemented, there may be children who are better protected from exploitation.
There may be workers who were unfairly dismissed or who received ill-conceived severance packages that will be empowered to take action. There may be fathers who will receive paternity leave for the first time ever to help shoulder the load and bond with their newborns.
We will truly tap into the power of Labour as a force for social good. It is all up to us.
As the Ministry of Labour and the Public Services takes the next steps in this process, we will continue to maintain open channels of communication and demonstrate a willingness to engage and collaborate as we create the first-ever Labour Legislative Reform White Paper that will be submitted to Cabinet.
In the near future, when the various proposed amendments and new laws are drafted, we will provide another opportunity just like this one, to review the drafts before they are tabled in Parliament to get your valued input.
We are well aware of that fact that it is the participation of our stakeholders that has facilitated our current levels of success, and we will ensure that we continue to engage with you every step of the way.
I’d like to thank everyone present for your participation and support.
Thank you to PS Gina Thompson for her steady leadership and thank you to the staff of the Ministry of Labour and the Public Service for working each day toward our shared vision. Thank you to Director of Labour, Howard Thompson, who has had a very productive first year in the Director’s seat.
He and his team at the Department of Labour will be pivotal to our success.
And, of course, a big thank you goes out to Mr. A. Robert Farquharson and team for their support in making this event happen. Thank you to the ones whose efforts have informed the conversations we’re having today: our dynamic HR strategists, including Nathaniel Butler, Simmone Bowe, Marilyn Brennen, Wellington Hepburn, Cherrylee Pinder, and Patrice Taylor for taking the lead on organizing this symposium, as well as Kendenique Campbell Moss for her assistance with PR and logistics and the protocol team who always ensures that we dot our i’s and cross our t’s.
I’d also like to thank every stakeholder that showed up to support this process: from the trade unions to the government agencies and state-owned enterprises. Thank you, as well, to the National Tripartite Council, the Employers’ Confederations, and all of our tripartite partners.
Over the past three days, we laid the foundation for the future of the Bahamian workforce. It is now up to us to act swiftly to build on this foundation.
Let’s move forward with same enthusiasm and intensity that we displayed this week, and we will bring about a brighter and better future for Bahamian workers.
I wish God’s blessing on each of you and the work that you do to move this nation forward. Thank you, once again. And may God bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Bahamas News
EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center Officially Opens to Help Students Wishing to Study in the US
By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country have personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions.
Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin thanked the US government for opening
up the Center to help residents achieve the goal of going to a tertiary institution in the US.
The Education Minister said during a recent trip to Cuba, she learned that high school is called “pre-university”.
She noted that many students in The Bahamas believe that after high school, they should go out and work.
She said, “While there is nothing wrong with that, the secondary school experience should be seen as a launching pad for something more, further and greater. We want our young people to see themselves in that way.
“We want to encourage our young people, all of them going through high school, that they are in pre-university. It is just the launching pad for more that is out there for them.”
The Minister added that students should not only see their individual potential, but also come back home after going to a tertiary
institution abroad to help build national capacity.
President, BTVI, Dr. Linda Davis; US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish; EducationUSA Regional Manager for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, Giselle Dubinsky; Public Affairs Officer/US Embassy, Suemayah Abu-Douleh also attended the opening.
Dr. Davis said the use of the Center is not limited to BTVI students. “Bahamians and residents throughout The Bahamas wishing to study in the US should consider EducationUSA at BTVI as their official source of information.”
She explained that in 2019, BTVI and the US Embassy signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to establish the Center on BTVI’s main campus.
“The Center was operationalized in 2023 and today we celebrate its inauguration. BTVI is pleased to finally reach this milestone and join the global network of over 400 EducationUSA Advising Centers, tasked with facilitating much needed guidance and support for students wishing to matriculate to a US institution.”
The US Chargé d’Affaires said EducationUSA aims to make opportunities to study at US tertiary institutions more accessible to students by providing them with the guidance and resources they need to pursue their academic dreams in the US.
She also explained that part of the mission of the Center is to ensure that students choose tertiary institutions that are accredited.
“The Center will serve as a hub for students, parents and educators seeking information about US higher education. Our advisor Breann Marshall is here to assist every step of the way from selecting the right institution to understanding the VISA requirements.”
PHOTO CAPTION
BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna
Header : Ribbon Cutting
The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country obtain personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions. US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish and Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
Showcase
Advisor, The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center, Breann Marshall (centre) shows Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin and US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish around the Center.
Jael Joseph’s Digital Platform Embarks on a New Chapter of Empowerment and Creativity
Jael Joseph has officially relaunched BlackIslandGirl.com, transforming her passion project into a dynamic multimedia platform that caters to a wide array of interests and communities. Originally created in 2021 as Joseph’s capstone project at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Black Island Girl has now evolved into a comprehensive digital space that reflects her creative vision and commitment to representation, storytelling, and empowerment.
The newly revamped site features a broad range of content sections, including Beauty, Business, Culture, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, Politics, and “The BIG Feature,” a spotlight segment focusing on in-depth stories and profiles. In addition to articles and features, the site’s new “What’s New” section provides event promoters with the opportunity to list their events, making Black Island Girl a go-to source for cultural and community engagement.
One of the most significant changes in this relaunch is the platform’s shift towards multimedia offerings. Businesses can now request
custom commercials and podcasts, giving them new avenues to promote their products and services. This expanded functionality opens the door for Black Island Girl to tap into every corner of modern media, creating a space that engages audiences through multiple forms of content.
Advertisers can now leverage the platform’s growing reach, promoting their brands and services within a diverse and inclusive community. Jael Joseph’s vision for the site goes beyond traditional media, offering opportunities for men and women alike to find inspiration, learn, and connect.
The relaunch of Black Island Girl comes at a time when Joseph is dedicating more time and energy to the project, following the registration of Black Island Girl Multimedia. This business venture further underscores her intent to build a creative and empowering space. Under the same multimedia banner, she also released her debut film Territory, a powerful short documentary that has been recognized internationally. Territory was nominated at several film festivals and took home the award for Best Short Documentary at the 2023 Caribbean Tales International Film Festival, marking another major achievement in Joseph’s creative career.
This relaunch highlights the multifaceted talent of Jael Joseph and her dedication to creating a platform that not only showcases her work but also serves as a source of inspiration for others. With its enhanced offerings, Black Island Girl is now positioned as a go-to multimedia hub for those interested in culture, wellness, business, and more.
As Joseph continues to focus her energy on Black Island Girl, the platform is poised to become an essential digital space that empowers and uplifts. Whether through its rich content, multimedia offerings, or community-focused event listings, Black Island Girl is set to carve out a unique niche in the media landscape, fueled by Jael Joseph’s passion and creativity.
Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said, on September 10, 2024, that it marked the start of an “extraordinary” new chapter for Cat Island.
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