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