ILO delegation meets with tripartite constituents of The Bahamas to discuss Decent Work priorities

Strong national partnerships are instrumental for the ILO to effectively support advancing social justice and decent work across the Caribbean; this was the core focus of the ILO Caribbean’s recent mission to The Bahamas.

The mission was led by Director Dr Joni Musabayana and members of the Decent Work Team and comprised of meetings with the Honourable Pia Glover-Rolle, Minister of Labour and the Public Service; Robert Farquharson, Executive Manager of Special Projects at the Ministry; Her Honour Indira Demeritte-Francis, President of the Industrial Tribunal, and Sharon Martin, Chair of the National Tripartite Council (NTC); Timothy Ingram, Chairman of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation (BCCEC); Dwayne Woods, President of the National Congress of Trade Unions of the Bahamas; Obie Ferguson, President of the Bahamas Trade Union Congress; and Belinda Wilson, President of the Bahamas National Alliance Trade Union Congress.

The two-day mission (22 and 23 February 2024) followed on the heels of the recently concluded Biennial Country Programme Review of The Bahamas Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP). A Decent Work Country Programme is the ILO’s main vehicle for delivery of support to countries with two main objectives of promoting decent work, and providing ILO knowledge instruments, advocacy and cooperation at the service of tripartite constituents in a results-based framework to advance the Decent Work Agenda.

The Bahamas’ second DWCP, which was launched in 2021, is designed to deliver national-level change in three priority areas: jobs and skills development; social dialogue; and governance. In this context, the DWCP has to date achieved notable progress on Ratifications of C159 – Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention and C190 – Violence and Harassment Convention; the adoption of The Bahamas Apprenticeship Policy and Act and an increase in social security contributions based on an actuarial valuation of The Bahamas National Insurance Board which was conducted with ILO support in 2022.

The meetings provided a platform to identify priorities affecting the national labour landscape, particularly in the context of the current DWCP, which is in effect until 2026. They also focused on how the ILO can continue to support constituents as they face ongoing and emerging issues.

"We are grateful for the ILO’s support, and we are fully committed to the successful implementation of all facets of the DWCP. The ILO’s support with the strategic implementation and monitoring and evaluation of our goals and outcomes will prove invaluable as we move forward with our agenda to drive growth, foster inclusivity, and promote sustainable development and equality in our workforce,” said the Honourable Pia Glover-Rolle.

“The visit by Dr Musabayana and his team was timely and rewarding. It gave us an opportunity to explore the areas where we need to accelerate and increase efforts to meet the 2026 goal, as well as time to pat ourselves on the back for the accomplishments made so far,” said Sharon Martin.

Discussions also highlighted key labour market priorities including the concept of a living wage and ILO support to better understand its implications; the development of job training programmes under the upcoming National Apprenticeship Programme; collective bargaining and compliance with collective agreements; expanding trade union involvement in economic policymaking; and developing youth leadership; strengthening national capacity for dispute resolution and social dialogue; and the country’s Industrial Relations Bill, which is currently in draft form.

“Our meetings were insightful, productive and reinvigorating. We look forward to continuing to support our constituents as they address labour market issues through their tripartite and industrial relations frameworks for the benefit of all workers, employers and policymakers in The Bahamas,” said Dr Musabayana.

"The discussions we held will serve as a catalyst for continued collaboration between The Bahamas and the ILO, as well as cross-regional cooperation through the sharing of data and information, the provision of technical support, and the launch of joint endeavours. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the ILO, the NTC, and other major stakeholders as we pursue our objective of decent work for everyone,” said the Honourable Pia Glover-Rolle.