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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Salutations
Good Evening DNA’s!! Protocol having been established I would like to say Big HELLO to people of the great constituency of PINERIDGE!!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, the country’s labor force is its very foundation. Many of you will leave here tonight, head home and prepare for your workday tomorrow. Many of you watching may already be doing so. Your presence on the job tomorrow will not only facilitate a certain lifestyle for you and your family but will also fuel profits and productivity for your employer. You, the hardworking Bahamian mother, the dedicated father, the new high school or college graduate, YOU and others like you that help make up the country’s labor force are the very foundation of this great nation. If small business are the engine of the economy then workers are the fuel upon which that engine runs. In order for the economic engine to run efficiently, the country must first address shortfalls in addressing and protecting the rights of workers. Over the past many weeks and months however, the newspapers have been littered with examples of such shortfalls. Take for example, the 2000 employees terminated from the stalled Bahamar development and the nearly 600 employees made redundant at Sandals Resort or the unsafe and hazardous working conditions at the general post office here in the capital. Take for example the long time denial of benefits to workers at the Freeport Container Port or complaints about the mistreatment of Bahamian employees at the Our Lucaya Resort. Even a cursory inspection of these cases reveal that there a fundamental holes in the way labor matters are handled.
As a veteran unionist, I have seen countless instances both in the public and private sector where this has not happened. In fact I dare say that over the past several years, I watched the all-out war and assault on labor and collective bargaining. Whether intentionally or not, successive governments have led the charge in allowing private and public sector agencies to conduct business without the input of unions or its members. Instead, employers have been able to exploit loopholes in labor legislation to deny Bahamian workers the employee benefits which they rightly deserve.
The first step to plugging such holes is to correct the imbalance which exists between employers, the union and the government and create an environment which encourages employee engagement, empowerment and involvement. An environment where workers in both the public and private sector can offer their best. Where workers are equipped with the tools and resources necessary to be their most effective selves and where labor law and policies facilitate increased productivity. This is the DNA’s mission.
As they did in the past strong unions supported by a dynamic workforce working hand in hand with a cooperative and transparent government can only serve to strengthen our country and push its development forward. As part of a comprehensive plan to support the country’s labor movement the Democratic National Alliance will first address shortfalls within the department of labour itself. Under a DNA government workers in this country will benefit from specific administrative upgrades which properly track job availabilities around the country. Through increased collaboration with the department of Immigration a DNA government will ensure that skilled Bahamian workers are given first preference for any job availabilities. The process is simple: Unemployed skilled workers will be encouraged to submit their resumes references and other pertinent information to the department of labor becoming a part of a countrywide database. In cases where public or private companies require skilled or general workers they will first be required to select Bahamians from that database and work permits will only be granted in cases where no such skills are available, and on the condition that training be provided so that a Bahamian may eventually assume the role.
While we are prepared to actively work toward this improved relationship the DNA is not so naive as to believe that there will not be circumstances where parties will simply not agree. In fact we anticipate that. That said the DNA first will set in place more effective mechanisms by which labor complaints can be independently investigated and resolved. One such mechanism will be through the office of an Ombudsman. This ombudsmanorpublic advocatewill be independently functioning arm of governance charged with representing the interests of thepublicby investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or a violation of rights. As it relates to labor he or she will investigate complaints and attempt to resolve them, usually through recommendations ormediation.
Unlike in cases we have seen played out in the media in recent days, Bahamian workers can rest assured that NO MEMBER OF A DNA GOVERNMENT will act in a way that prevents them from receiving JUSTICE for wrongs perpetrated against them. Under a DNA government Bahamian workers will finally have the kind of government that ensures a sense of mutual respect that preserves the relationship between all stakeholders. A government that will fight to change the mindset of employers and fight ensure that employees in both the public and private are afforded the salaries and benefits commensurate to the skills which they bring to the table.
To the workers of the Bahamas I say to you tonight that the power to secure your rights and the rights of your children is in YOU! Both individually and Collectively we have the opportunity to finally end years of mistreatment, dishonesty and disrespect. The time is NOW, the power is YOURS!
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