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News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Investigations into GB Shipyard Labour Dispute Have Been Completed says Minister Mitchell
By Andrew Coakley, BIS
Dec 9, 2016 - 3:05:44 PM

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FREEPORT, The Bahamas - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Fred Mitchell has confirmed that investigations into labour disputes at the Grand Bahama Shipyard have been completed by the Director of Labour and he received the report just a few days ago.

“I’m still in the midst of studying the report and I’m awaiting the advice of the Director of Immigration,” Minister Mitchell told members of the media following graduating ceremonies for Immigration officers in Grand Bahama on Friday morning.

“I will obviously be consulting with various people. Key of course is the commercial sector in Grand Bahama generally, the Trade Union, the Employer and then I will make a decision in the best interest of this island, the employers, the employees and the country.”

Earlier in the week it was reported that several employees from the Grand Bahama Shipyard had been let go from the company without explanation.

Since then appeals were made to the Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as to the Government of The Bahamas, as workers claimed they were “unjustly” terminated.

However, Mitchell said that he has spoken with all parties concerned in the matter and ordered an investigation into the claims of the employees.

As far as reassuring Grand Bahamian workers, Minister Mitchell said that he is not in the habit of overstating things, especially when there are so many factors involved in a situation. “I strongly believe that this is a country for Bahamians and I don’t step back from that sentiment whatsoever,” said Minister Mitchell.

“So, the people of Grand Bahama can be assured of my desire to do everything possible and in the best interest of all parties to solve the problem. This is not just a problem here in Grand Bahama, because there is a real immigration problem in Abaco, complaints in Eleuthera, Harbour Island and even New Providence.

“It appears to me that Bahamians think that people, in exchange for an investment in the country, want to define them out of the country. So, the government must stand in the gap. At the same time, there are balancing factors such as one’s qualifications must be good, productivity must be good, value for money must be good and service must be good.”

Minister Mitchell made reference to the on-going saga at GB Shipyard during his address at Friday’s Immigration Graduation ceremonies, which was held at the Gerald Bartlett Police Complex in Freeport.

He said that issue of Immigration and the rule of law is before him in a public way in regards to the situation at the GB Shipyard. He said that a complaint had been filed by one of the Unions on behalf of workers at the Grand Bahama Shipyard.

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