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Last Updated: Jun 26, 2019 - 12:09:03 PM |
Contribution
by
Senator the Hon. Dion A. Foulkes
Minister of Labour
The 2019/2020 Budget Communication
The Senate
25 June 2019
On Friday of this week Her Excellency the Most Honourable Dame Marguerite Pindling will demit office as the ninth Bahamian Governor General.
I want to join my colleagues in thanking Her Excellency for her contribution to the development of our nation.
Over the last five years Dame Marguerite served with grace and elegance.
She carried out her duties with finesse, stamina and decorum.
Dame Marguerite has earned, in her own right, a prominent place in Bahamian history.
She has followed in the footsteps of legendary and heroic Bahamians: Sir Milo Butler, Sir Gerald Cash, Sir Henry Taylor, Sir Clifford Darling, Sir Orville Turnquest, Dame Ivy Dumont, Arthur Hanna and Sir Arthur Foulkes.
Our history is replete with stories of reconciliation and restoration of friendships.
One day I will tell the story of the role Dame Marguerite played in the reconciliation of her husband, Sir Lynden, and my father, Sir Arthur. That’s for another time and perhaps another place.
I also want to congratulate Mr. Cornelius Smith for his imminent ascension as our tenth Bahamian Governor General.
I have known Mr. Smith for over 40 years.
As a young public school teacher, human resource manager, Cabinet Minister and Diplomat, he has dedicated his entire adult life to the service of the Bahamian people.
I wish him well in his new role of service.
Madam President
Yesterday, Senator Sawyer paid tribute to an FNM Freedom Fighter, the late Ivan Davis.
Mr. Davis served as an Association Chairman and Central Council member for the then Fort Fincastle Constituency, which forms a part of the now Centreville Constituency.
He was a founding member of the FNM and one of those brave champions of democracy who was unwavering in his support for the FNM.
For myself and for my family I extend sincere condolences to the entire Davis family. May he rest in peace.
Madam President
I want to talk a about economic empowerment for the average Bahamian, what it means and why it is a central focus of the FNM Administration.
Our mission as a Government is to do whatever we can to better the lives of Bahamians.
How do we do this?
The Prime Minister in his recent Budget communication put it best:
“… the Free National Movement is investing in jobs, education and training, home ownership, and access to land for Bahamians. We are investing in the Family Islands, crime-fighting, social assistance, young people, roads, airports, Over-the-Hill development, Bahamian entrepreneurs and small business people.”
The Prime Minister continued: “From young environmental monitors Over-the-Hill, who have been employed to help rebuild their communities, to Spring City Abaco, where young people in their 20s have received conveyances, and deeds for new homes, to preschool students in poorer neighborhoods, this government is building a better, brighter Bahamas for all Bahamians.”
The Prime Minister further stated that “Today, the FNM is investing heavily in education to help break the cycle of poverty.
“We know that while talent is equally distributed in a country, opportunity is not as equally distributed or available.
“So our mission, my mission, is to provide greater opportunity for all, especially the more disadvantaged in our society.”
Madam President
The first step in our quest to empower Bahamians is to make available free education from pre-school to university.
DONE!!!
Pre-school is free. BTVI is free. NTA is free. UB is free.
The second step to expand economic opportunity is the preservation and creation of good-paying jobs and assisting with the creation of business opportunities.
DONE!!!
As of May 2019 $8 billion dollars of investment has been approved.
The Small Business Development Center is providing grants and training to Bahamians to enable them to start their own businesses.
Finally, creating equity for our people.
DONE!!!
We have embarked upon a comprehensive and systematic program to respond to and grant crown land requests by Bahamians.
This is what we mean by economic empowerment.
Madam President
I now turn to address matters in my portfolio.
Ensuring a harmonious working relationship between employers, employees and the trade union movement as well as providing for the social welfare of all Bahamians through consumer protection and job preparation programmes will continue to be the underlining thrust of the Ministry of Labour.
I wish to highlight the many accomplishments of the hardworking and efficient management and staff of the Ministry of Labour which is comprised of the Department of Labour, the National Training Agency, the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality, the Prices Commission, the Consumer Protection Commission and the Consumer Affairs Division.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR
Madam President, economic growth and job creation remains some of the leading priorities of the Government and I am pleased to announce that since the launch of the Labour on the Blocks Job Fairs Initiative in January 2018, the Department of Labour has been able to successfully match active job seekers with potential employers, thus significantly reducing the unemployment numbers in The Bahamas.
The Labour on the Blocks Job Fairs have been effectively held throughout New Providence and Grand Bahama and have provided a ray of hope for job seekers in the country. An estimated 1,600 job seekers were successful in obtaining employment.
Also, Madam President, I am pleased to announce that my Ministry held a Labour on the Blocks Job Fair at the Department of Corrections in conjunction with the Ministry of National Security and the Citizens Security and Justice Program on Thursday, October 25, 2018. The Job Fair brought renewed hope and new job opportunities to prison inmates who were soon to be released from prison as they had an opportunity to apply in person for jobs with sixteen local businesses.
Moving forward, Madam President, I wish to announce that the Labour on the Blocks Job Fairs will be expanded and merged with the Office of the Prime Minister Over-the-Hill Project and the National Training Agency to address job vacancies in the Maritime Sector. There is great potential for this area. I wish to thank our many partners in the business community who have assisted in working with the Ministry and the Department of Labour to make the Labour on the Blocks Job Fairs successful.
Madam President, the Department of Labour New Understudy Program in conjunction with the National Training Agency has provided a unique opportunity for the nation’s youth to receive both soft skills training and on-the-job training. This program is progressing well and is giving the nation’s youth a second chance to better improve their overall development.
Trade Disputes
Madam President, providing an effective conciliation process whereby trade disputes can be resolved in an efficient manner continues to be a major focus of the Department of Labour. Madam President, in 2018 for the island of New Providence there was a total of 924 trade disputes filed at the Department of Labour: 465 were resolved, 305 are pending, 47 withdrew and 107 were referred to the Tribunal.
In the Family Islands in 2018, 283 disputes were recorded with the Department of Labour: 102 were resolved, 164 are pending, eight withdrew and nine were referred to the Tribunal.
In the first quarter of 2019 on the island of New Providence, there was a total of 245 disputes: 109 were resolved, 82 are pending, 21 withdrew and 33 were referred to the Tribunal.
In the first quarter of 2019 in the Family Islands there was a total of 85 disputes filed: 25 were resolved, 49 are pending, two withdrew and nine were referred to the Tribunal.
Madam President,
The process has begun of establishing a National Maritime Institute. This will prepare persons for the industry, both academic and practical. We are in discussions with LJM Maritime Academy to accomplish this objective. For the first time, the Government has contributed $73,000 to the Academy to assist with defraying its general expenses. I am pleased to announce that the Government has allocated $250,000 to the Academy beginning in the upcoming fiscal period.
National Tripartite Council
Madam President,
On June 1, 2018, and in accordance with the provisions of the National Tripartite Council Act 2015 Social Partners appointed 12 persons, from their respective organizations to serve on the National Tripartite Council for the 2018 to 2021 Statutory Period. On July 19, 2018, the National Tripartite Council election of officers was conducted and the following persons were elected to serve as officers of the NTC:
- Anthony Robert Farquharson – Chairman
- Peter Goudie – Vice Chairman
- Sharon Martin – Secretary
- Rionda Godet -- Treasurer
Madam President,
Subsequent to their appointment, National Tripartite Council members developed and ratified the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan. This document, which was reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Labour, has been described as ambitious and aggressive and includes a road map to transforming the industrial relations environment in the Bahamas for years to come.
The plan includes 15 distinctive goals, however the two principal objectives of the NTC are (i) the enactment of National Productivity Legislation and the establishment of the Bahamas National Productivity Council, and (ii) the transformation of the Bahamas Industrial Tribunal to the civil side of the Supreme Court.
National Committee for Skills & Industry
Madam President,
Understanding and addressing the significant gap that exists between the current and future labour needs in The Bahamas and the skills of the local workforce has been recognized as a priority for the Government of The Bahamas. The Ministry of Labour has appointed a special committee and mandated the members to review the issues related to the skills gap and recommend the necessary steps to be taken to reduce unemployment; increase productivity; improve ease of doing business; expand the private sector; and grow the Gross Domestic Product.
The National Committee has a diverse membership that includes representatives from the Organization for Responsible Governance, The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation; The University of The West Indies; The National Training Agency; The University of The Bahamas; The National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Trade Union Congress; LJM Maritime Academy; Southern University; The Bahamas Institute of Financial Services; The Bahamas Contactors Association and others.
Madam President,
On September 17, 2018, the National Committee sponsored the first annual National Skills Symposium under the theme “Forging our Future -- Assessing and Analyzing the Skills Gap in The Bahamas”. This historic event brought together over 150 leaders from private industry, government, academia and civil society along with key industry associations and government departments to strategically coordinate efforts to identify industry-specific needs in:
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Soft Skills (including behavioural and communication, teamwork, responsibility, accountability)
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Specific technical and industry Skills – (including competencies, credentials and certifications)
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Basic Skills – (including numeracy, literacy and reasoning)
The final report on the Symposium has been submitted and the recommendations contained therein are being reviewed for implementation.
Madam President,
The government has also recognized that there is a significant gap in skills in Grand Bahama and so a sub-committee was established in Freeport to supplement the work of the national committee. On Friday April 5, 2019, the Grand Bahama Sub-Committee sponsored an Employment & Industrial Skills Training in the form of a High School Forum & Exhibition. The event was held at the St. George’s High School Gymnasium and enabled over 300 high school students from both private and public schools to have the opportunity to view positions available in a number of companies in Grand Bahama and to have direct access to company officials to discuss the skills required to fill the jobs available. The event was officially opened by the Prime Minister and over 16 companies from various industries in Grand Bahama participated in the Exhibition.
NATIONAL TRAINING AGENCY
Madam President,
Since June 2017, the National Training Agency (NTA) has continued to impact the lives of young Bahamians, providing them with competency-based training and assisting them with job placement. The Agency has expanded its reach and has been strategic in offering training opportunities that meet the needs of today’s workforce.
These expansions include greater collaboration with industry leaders and job providers, improved relationship with inner cities and core demographics, improvement in its core offerings and delivery systems and overall improvement in the use of modern technology.
The National Training Agency is charged with the responsibility of workforce development with a keen focus on training our nation’s youth, those between the ages of 16 and 30, to take advantage of existing and emerging opportunities.
Madam President,
The NTA has successfully trained 1,640 young Bahamians over the last two years. This included both soft skills and technical training.
The agency is well known for its Mandatory Workforce Preparatory Program that focuses on soft skills training covering topics such as:
-Attitude Shape up
- Customer Service
- Self Awareness
- Job Preparedness
- Conflict Resolutions
- Workplace Governance
Any many more.
Technical skills include training in the following disciplines:
- Butler Services
- Teacher’s Aide
- Customer Service
- Auto Body Repair
- Housekeeping
- Food Preparation
- Food & Beverage
- Quick Books
- Allied Healthcare
- Microsoft Office
- Information Technology
- Retail Knowledge
Madam President,
The NTA has a successful overall job placement rate of 55%, which means that more than half of its successful trainees are placed into fulltime jobs.
The agency continues to strengthen its relationship with leading industry and job providers. The agency is now positioned as a “Go-to Agency” for employers seeking entry level employees.
Madam President,
The National Training Agency (NTA) successfully completed a contract to provide training for 260 at-risk youths in Soft Skills, Numeracy and Literacy, and Technical Skills with concentrations in the Hospitality and Retail sectors.
The training has been monitored through the tracking of a number of variables, including attendance, summative assessments, soft skills pre- and post-assessments, certifications obtained, attrition rates, and trainee, trainer and employer feedback and ratings.
The structure of the programme was guided by the results of the Department of Statistics’ Wages and Productivity Survey (2012) and was intended to provide demand-driven training to increase the employability and employment levels of 260 at-risk youth between the ages of 16 to 29 through training in soft skills, technical skills, numeracy and literacy skills, and on-the-job training/internships.
To ensure that this objective was met Competency-based Education and Training (CBET) largely informs the NTA’s training delivery system, serving as an effective means to bridge education and training to the actual requirements of the workplace.
The NTA made a number of adjustments to ensure that the needs of at-risk youths were met. These adjustments include changes to the recruitment process, a revamped curriculum, re-training of the entire team, re-development of curricula, lesson plans and learning materials, the implementation of new assessments and evaluations, and the use of training monitors and life coaches to ensure that the at-risk youths remained fully engaged throughout the 12 weeks of training.
The overall results of the at-risk youth training is as follows:
The vast majority (278 out of 293) of trainees who were registered and present on day one of the training successfully completed the four weeks of soft skills training, obtaining certificates from the NTA's Mandatory Workforce Preparatory Program indicating their successful matriculation through the program.
There was a similar success rate for the technical skills training: 91% (254 out of 278). Trainees received internationally recognized certifications in-demand areas of the hospitality and retail sectors, including: Food and Beverage, Butler Services, Housekeeping, Customer Services, Retail Services, Guest Services, and Food Preparation.
The true test of any youth training program lies not only in improving the employability of trainees but also in its ability to aid them in getting employment. By that measure, the training has been a resounding success with a 46% (117 out of 254) employment rate for trainees who successfully completed the 12 weeks of training (as of February, 2019). This compares favorably to the NTA's average employment rates for lower risk populations and indicates, more so than any other measure, the success of the training.
The agency has facilitated and assisted in the training, hiring and onboarding of some 200 young Bahamians with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. These persons are now serving on ships or have accepted offers awaiting final on boarding.
Length of contract can range between 22-34 weeks.
The agency is currently working with both RCCL and MSC in relation to fulfilling fulltime land-based jobs on CoCo Cay and Ocean Cay. Currently more than 170 persons have been pre-screened for 109 job openings on Ocean Cay. Many of these individuals have been trained and certified by NTA.
Madam President,
Corporate Bahamas is taking advantage of the training opportunities available at the agency. More than 160 employees from corporate Bahamas have been trained by the agency over the last year.
As the only government approved Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) center in the region, the agency continues to offer the broadest portfolio of leadership and management qualifications with hundreds of regulated qualifications units to choose from.
The agency is currently in the process of finalizing partnership agreements with government agencies and the private sector.
The agency has increased revenue over the last year to supplement government funding by more than $610,000. This is a first for the agency. This has been facilitated through rental income and government and corporate training contracts.
This is due to management’s efforts to reduce the need for government funding over the next three years and to fulfill a key activity as outlined in the NTA’s act of raising additional revenue to subsidize operations and delivery of training.
THE BAHAMAS BUREAU OF STANDARDS & QUALITY
Madam President,
The Bahamas Bureau of Standards & Quality (BBSQ) is mandated by the Standards Act (2006) and Weights and Measures Act (2006) to promote, formulate and or adopt standards (international or regional) as national instruments of socio-economic development, in an effort to protect the health and safety of consumers, enhance international trade and competitiveness of goods and services; and also to regulate all metrology services in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Madam President,
We are moving resolutely and systematically toward the full operation of the Bureau and the implementation of its services.
Some of the major initiatives that have been undertaken from 2018 to date in promoting and implementing our mandate include:
- Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme for used vehicles imported from Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom and United Emirates.
In early 2018, BBSQ decided to invite motor vehicle inspection specialists to provide an ‘Expression of Interest’ in working with us on the development and implementation of such a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme for used vehicles prior to importation into The Bahamas. An official visit to Japan to observe pre-inspection programmes and also visit some of the Auction houses was then conducted.
Madam President,
Over the past three years, beginning in 2016, used vehicle imports to The Bahamas have been relatively strong. Statistics from Arawak Port Development (APD), suggest that on an average The Bahamas has imported about 15,000 used units annually. It is anticipated from these statistics that the amount of used imports would be relatively the same in 2019.
Madam President,
Consequently, the need to ensure that these imports are ‘Roadworthy’ prior to leaving the countries of origin is essential in protecting The Bahamas from continuing to be a “dumping ground” for unsafe and the potential ‘end of life’ vehicles.
Furthermore, Japan as a country, has suffered several nuclear accidents -- the latest in 2011 in Fukushima -- and it is imperative that potentially radiated used vehicles are also not allowed to enter our country. This PVOC programme, specifically addresses this risk by including a mandatory requirement for radiation inspection on every vehicle.
Subsequently, after careful scrutiny and consideration of the replying Inspection Companies, BBSQ, along with the Ministry of Labour, established that EAA Company Limited from Japan was the most qualified of such companies.
Madam President,
We are happy to report that since the implementation of the programme effective March 2019, about 2,000 used units have been pre-inspected and allowed entry into the country. Vehicles that were found to be in non-conformance are denied entry and the importer was allowed to select another used vehicle that would pass the inspection process.
Madam President,
The Bahamas is second in leading the way in the Caribbean next to Jamaica with the introduction of a PVoC program. As a Smart Island State we take a positive and responsible step toward the protection of our citizens and our environment by ensuring only roadworthy vehicles enter our country and by enforcing internationally recognised emissions and radiation conformance. We will no longer allow the growing practice of dumping end of life vehicles on the side of our roads, and having un-roadworthy vehicles endangering the lives of Bahamians.
Madam President,
We have embarked on a new and improved three year strategic agenda 2019-2021 providing more heightened awareness and education campaigns to inform the public on the overall role of BBSQ, and its important work through our services and established Units.
This entails an ongoing roll out of our first infomercial, currently being aired on ZNS, Cable Bahamas, and ILTV - TV stations, and also on the radio. We encourage Bahamians to pay closer attention for these infomercials.
Further, we will also embark on developing our first promotional booklet, dedicated specifically for Primary School students, bringing awareness to the significance of standards and quality, which a small child will be able to appreciate.
We will undoubtedly continue bringing awareness to the public through international observances such as World Standards Day, World Metrology Day, and World Accreditation Day. We use these opportunities to make known the benefits and impact of embracing quality in every sector of society and in their daily living.
THE CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMISSION
Madam President,
This year again, CPC in partnership with its sister agencies Bahamas Bureau of Standards, Quality (BBSQ), and Consumer Affairs Unit, spearheaded and coordinated activities to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2019 in The Bahamas under the theme ‘Trusted Smart Products.’
The event was celebrated in New Providence, Grand Bahama and those Family Islands with a Consumer Affairs Unit presence.
CONSUMER WELFARE UNIT
Madam President,
The principal mandate of the Consumer Welfare Unit is to Police the entire Bahamian marketplace to ensure that the Price Control Act / Regulations are being complied with and consumers are receiving the protection intended by the law.
Additionally, officers are called upon to serve as agents for the
Rent Control Board in the investigation of rental complaints,
seeking to provide fair resolution to any dispute.
Officers are also charged with the responsibility of serving as agents for The Consumer Commission in ensuring that Consumers who may experience challenges with the providers of goods and services can access redress at the Commission.
Officers respond to consumer complaints regardless of the nature and endeavor to provide resolution or referral to the relevant agency where relief may be obtained.
Consumer education and enlightenment is also another aspect of the Consumer Welfare mandate. Officers provide consumers with information regarding their rights and responsibilities, thereby empowering them as they seek to secure goods and services in the market place.
Once again the collective view and a long-held aspiration of the Consumer Welfare Unit is to expand and develop into a viable Department of Consumer Protection with clearly defined career paths for officers; a department which is staffed with qualified and competent officers who are committed to working to provide consumers protection in all matters which may affect them as they seek to secure goods and services in the market place; a department with personnel who will conduct research in consumer related issues and aid in educating and enlightening consumers with current and relevant information that will assist in their everyday activities. Our goals there are to:
Further expand the role of Consumer Welfare into those Family Islands where no officers are presently domiciled, such as Mayaguana, Long Island, Exuma and Ragged Island, thereby affording those consumers the same level of protection as consumers in the islands where officers are present, and
- Provide local and foreign training programmes / seminars to upgrade officers' knowledge and skills level thereby equipping them to be better able to respond to matters which may arise in their environment.
The Consumer officers are doing a commendable job on a daily basis and are maintaining a presence throughout the various communities across The Bahamas.
Madam President,
As I close, I wish to commend my dedicated and hard-working team at the Ministry of Labour headed by Mr. Peter Deveaux Isaacs, Permanent Secretary. I also want to acknowledge the significant contribution made to the Ministry by our former Permanent Secretary, Ms. Cecilia Strachan.
I also wish to commend the hard-working management and staff at the Department of Labour, the National Training Agency, The Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality, The Prices Commission, The Consumer Protection Commission and the Consumer Affairs Division.
Madam President
I fully support this 2019/2020 budget.
© Copyright 2019 by thebahamasweekly.com
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