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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 Nassau, Bahamas - Speaking Notes by Senator The Honourable Keith R. Bell Minister of State for National Security On:- National Tripartite Council Bill 2014; The Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2014 Before The Honourable Senate Wednesday, 18th February 2015:
Madam President, Honourable Senators, Good morning.
Today, I rise to lend my support to National Tripartite Council andThe Electricity (Amendment) Bills, 2014. Before I begin my communication however Madam President, I beg your indulgence as well as that of Honourable members for me to speak briefly on an issue of national importance, that is our health.
Recently, I have had the very difficult task of attending the funeral services of several dear childhood friends who also attended School with me. All of these individuals were in the prime of their lives; were loved by their respective families and were making meaningful contributions to their respective communities.
All of them were stricken with cancer and the other with kidney failure. These persons were at the prime of their lives.
They were all at the point when we expected that we would be rejoicing in one another’s achievement; the marriage of our children or the birth of our first grandchild.
However, even though they fought a good fight, they were not able to overcome their illnesses. The loss of my friends has caused significant pain to their respective families and all of us. However, it is the unfortunate reality that such occasions are far too common.
Madam President, whilst many illnesses are not preventable, the fact is that the earlier medical professionals are able to detect issues, the greater the chances for them to treat disorders and in many cases, delay death.
Another unfortunate reality is that far too often, many in our society, particularly our men, continue to ignore pains, discomforts and refuse to seek medical advice. Moreover, many refuse to get regular check-ups and physical examinations. This Madam Speakers and Honourable members is a very dangerous game.
Persons who continue to ignore medical advice or who refuse to obtain regular check-ups do so at their peril.
This is not to say that having check-ups would guarantee that a person is not inflicted with illness. However, it does ensure that doctors are able to offer greater treatment options and in many cases extend both the length and quality of a person’s life.
I would therefore implore persons particularly our middle aged and older men, to visit their physicians regularly and to heed medical advice. Too many of our people are dying in the prime of their lives through illnesses which could either be prevented or in some instances treated to extend the length of life. This is particularly true of cancer and heart related disorders which on an annual basis rob us of far too many of our most productive citizens.
On a personal note, I would wish to publically here as I have already done in private offer my sincere condolences to families of all my classmates…
Madam President, as we sit today, the Members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force are burying one of their fine officers in the person of the late Constable Latorio Demeritte. As many of you may know, Officer Demeritte died tragically in a motorcycle accident whilst escorting the body of the late Dr. Rosita Butterfield, Speaker of the House of Assembly in the Turks and Cacios to the Lynden Pindling International Airport.
Officer Demeritte came from a fine family which has produced several exemplary officers. His mother Deborah Brown is a dear friend and Corporal within the Police Force as well as his brother, Deangelo Butler. Full of youth and promise, Officer Demeritte also leaves behind a wife Aldeka King Demeritte and other members of the Demeritte/ Brown families.
Being a police officer is not an easy job. It is not just hard on the officer but also their families. Having served with distinction for over two decades, I can speak first hand of the difficulty person’s face when going out each morning being aware that it could be one’s last.
Death is never easy and such incidents dampen the spirits of both the immediate family of the fallen officer and the organisation as a whole.
Having known Officer Demeritte personally, I can attest to his love for the job and his commitment to serving his country through his work on the Force.
Madam President, I believe I have the support of all members in extending our sincere condolences to the family of the fallen officer, to his wife, parents and entire family and friends. It is my sincere prayer that the God of all consolation continue to comfort his loved ones.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Madam President, today we debate two transformative pieces of legislation which seek to improve two of the most critical components of our economy namely, Energy Production and Labour.
The National Tripartite Council Bill, 2014 is a progressive piece of legislation which seeks to establish a National Tripartite Council (the “NTC”). The NTC will serve as a body which brings together the government with employers’ organizations and workers’ organizations in fostering social and economic progress.
The introduction of this piece of legislation by this Christie-led Progressive Liberal Party government is another significant milestone in labour relations in The Bahamas.
Indeed, Madam President, as we review the purpose and objectives of the NTC, I have full confidence that once the Council is established, it will play a significant role in improving the overall policy framework governing labour and productivity in The Bahamas to the betterment of all our people.
In doing this, the Council will be charged with various duties, including:
· PromotingTripartism in The Bahamasthrough corporation, consultation and negotiation designed to create and shape social and economic policies and programmes
· Advising the Government on formulating national policies aspects of labour productivity quality and promotion
· Reviewing ILO recommendations and to advise the government on ILO matters
· Advising the government on labour and industrial relations matters
· Reviewing current labour legislation and making recommendations for the amendment or codification of the same
· Reviewing and commenting on draft Bills and proposed regulation pertaining to industrial relations.
The legislation proposes that the Council will be funded by the public purse with additional funding to be provided from social partners, employer and workers organisations.
The Council will consist of 9 members and three observers
· Three from the most representative labour organisation of employers determined in accordance with ILO Principals
· Three members from the most representative Employer organisations in accordance with ILO Principals
· Three members from the Government represented by the Department of Labour or other government departments as appropriate
· The three observers will be non-executive members of the council and whom one shall be appointed by each social partner.
The NTC is thus by its very composition, be a body with full equal representation from the three groups and I believe that this balance would ensure that the representations and recommendations from the NTC would be balanced and reasonable.
Take for example its role in reviewing current labour legislation and making recommendations for the amendment or codification of legislation. One area which I believe requires consideration is a review of the laws regarding minimum wage. On its implementation over a decade ago, many employers voiced significant opposition about the wage saying that it was bad for the economy and would cause job losses.
Among stakeholders, some employees complained that the wage was too low and consideration should be given to increasing it. The government was forced to make a determination in its view as to an appropriate level for the wage to be set and legislated a weekly working wage of $150 per week.
Over a decade later, the mere suggestion of increasing the wage is met with the same cries from employers that an increase would cause job losses and hurt the overall labour market.
What is certain is that the reality is that $150 today does not do as much as it did over a decade ago and the legislation must acknowledge and provide for this reality. With the implementation of the NTC, the government would have the considered views of the relevant stakeholders which will improve the government’s ability to produce and pass legislation which is in the Country’s best interest based on best practices and research.
I am hopeful that the Minister with responsibility for labour, the Hon. Shane Gibson will work to ensure that the NTC is established and functioning in the shortest possible time and I look forward to receiving their reports and recommendations.
Madam President, I now turn to the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014.
No modern society is able to function without an efficient and reliable power supply. In order to support a well-developed society, it is also essential that the power be adequate and affordable.
Over the decades, this has been an area where we have struggled on almost all points. We know that our methodsof production are inefficient and often unreliable. We continue to struggle with capacity and critically the electricity which we produce is far too expensive.
This cost is particularly evident when you compare ourpresent cost of power which is approximately 40 cents per kilowatt hour as compared to 10.15[1] cents in the United States. This increase in prices has significant implications for our businesses and hotels who are forced to compete for business and industry. It also impacts both the bottom lines for the businesses as well as the ability to be competitive with respect to pricing.
Some of the realities which we face are attributable to factors such as the lack of commercially available fossil fuels and our smaller size which means that we cannot benefit from certain economies of scale with respect to power production. However, there are other elements to our present situation which are rooted in planning, policy and administration.
This amendment is in furtherance of covenants in our Charter for Governance whereby we pledged to work on delivering more efficient affordable electrical supplies in a way which embraced renewable technologies.
This amendment seeks to do just that whilst creating additional economic opportunities for Bahamian entrepreneurs. By passing this amendment, we will enact provisions which will allow for the generation of renewable energy systems and the integration of these systems into the power grid.
Put more succinctly, the amendment would allow for persons to obtain approval to install solar panels or wind turbines on their properties and to supply the energy generated by their solar panels or wind turbines to the Bahamas Electricity Corporation.
There will be an agreement between BEC and the producer which would govern the terms of the exchange.
Madam President, as the Bahamas does not presently produce the fuel required for power generation and 100% of the electricity produced by BEC is imported fossil fuels, we spend a huge percentage of our gross domestic product on fossil fuels.It is reported that in 2008 alone, The Bahamas spent around 1.1 Billion Dollars on fuel.
This situation is not sustainable and is a threat to both our economy and national security.
What our annual spending means is that the Country is working to purchase fuel. When combined with our food imports, it leaves very little money to remain in The Bahamas to undertake necessary investments and development.
By authorising the generation of renewal power supplies, the Government will:
1) Create new business opportunities as young Bahamians will be able to form new renewable power businesses;
2) Reduce the electrical bills for participants as (outside of the purchase of the equipment) the power is generated by wind and sunshine, both of which we have in abundance, and both of which are free;
3) The greater the involvement of persons in the programme, the more we can reduce our dependence on importing fossil fuels which consumes valuable foreign exchange;
4) By adopting clean technologies, we reduce our carbon emissions which are responsible for climate change.This is projected to have significant negative impacts on our Country and in particular our low lying islands.
Madam President, this is a progressive move from a progressive government – ‘don’t mind the noise in the market, watch the price of the fish’.
There are many naysayers making all sorts of noise. They shout, they scream, they cry the sky is falling. These two pieces of legislation is yet another tangible move that this Government led by the Right Honourable Prime Minister continues to work tirelessly with the objective of improving the quality of life for all Bahamians.
I support the Bills; I believe that they both work to improve the areas of our national life which they cover and we will be a stronger, more productive Country because of the necessary improvements created by the bills.
May God continue to bless The Bahamas and all its’ people.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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