Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
The Bahamas, June 28, 2025 – Promising a more efficient, better-paid, and digitally empowered public workforce, Bahamas Minister of Labour and the Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle laid out a bold reform agenda during her 2025–2026 Budget Debate contribution in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, June 18.
Glover-Rolle, who also serves as Member of Parliament for Golden Gates, focused her address on modernising the public service, making a public commitment to deliver “a truly 21st-century Public Service” designed to attract and retain top talent, while ensuring greater accountability and results for Bahamian citizens.
“We will continue driving unemployment lower until we achieve full employment for all Bahamians who want to work,” she said. “But we also need to ensure that the jobs we’re creating—particularly in the public sector—are dignified, well-compensated, and performance-driven.”
Central to her reform message was the long-anticipated salary review conducted by global consulting firm Deloitte. The exercise examined 85 job categories across critical areas including law enforcement, immigration, statistics, customs, and executive leadership. Based on the findings, salary increases of 2% to 8% will begin rolling out in two phases.
The first phase, starting at the end of June, will deliver increases to 2,400 mid-level public servants, with retroactive payments going back to September 2024—totalling over $6 million. The second phase in September will cover thousands more, with all public servants expected to benefit from the review before the end of the fiscal year.
Glover-Rolle also signalled that digitisation of government services remains a top priority, hinting at modernised facilities and greater training for personnel to meet the expectations of the modern Bahamian public.
“This isn’t just about raises—it’s about transformation,” she declared. “We are putting in place the systems, structures, and standards that will make public service delivery faster, smarter, and more accountable to the people we serve.”
The Minister stressed that transparency and communication will remain central, urging workers unsure of their inclusion in the first phase to consult with HR.
As the budget moves to the Senate, public eyes will be on whether these promises translate into tangible, lasting reforms.
