Today, there are several trade unions operating in The Bahamas, representing workers in a range of industries. The majority of unions fall under umbrella organizations such as Bahamas National Alliance Trade Union Congress (BNATUC), National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB), and Commonwealth of The Bahamas Trade Union Congress (BTUC).

While the trade union movement in The Bahamas has faced its share of challenges over the years, it remains an important force for workers' rights and social justice in the country. According to the Department of Labor, there are currently 29 registered trade unions in the country, representing over 23,000 workers. Given the importance of unions in The Bahamas, this segment will focus on the need to reform policies towards a sustainable workforce.

A long history

Trade unions in The Bahamas have a storied history, dating back to the early 20th century. The first union to be established in the country was the Bahamas Public Service Union, which was founded in 1948. This union was formed in response to the poor working conditions and low wages faced by civil servants in the country. The following year, in 1949, the Bahamas Federation of Labor (BFL) was formed. This federation was made up of several smaller unions, including the Bahamas Industrial Union (BIU) and the Hotel and Catering Workers Union. The BFL became the main umbrella organization for trade unions in The Bahamas and played an important role in advocating for workers' rights and better working conditions.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the trade union movement in The Bahamas grew rapidly, with several new unions being formed. These included the National Congress of Trade Unions (NCTU) and the Commonwealth Industrial Union. These unions represented workers in a variety of industries, including tourism and manufacturing, and the public services. During this period, the trade union movement in The Bahamas was closely linked to the political movements pushing for independence from British rule. The leaders of the trade unions were often also leaders of the independence movement, and the two causes were seen as closely intertwined. In the 1970s and 1980s, the trade union movement in The Bahamas continued to be a powerful force for change. The BIU played an important role in securing better wages and working conditions for its members. However, the relationship between the government and the trade unions became increasingly fraught during this period, with a few strikes and other industrial actions being taken.

Today, trade unions in The Bahamas face challenges such as declining membership and limited resources. However, they continue to be an effective force for social and economic justice. They play an important role in promoting workers' rights and interests, and in advocating for policies that benefit the broader population.

The need to reform

In recent years, trade unions experienced several challenges that make it difficult for them to effectively represent the interests of workers. According to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Global Rights Index 2020, it was estimated that union density stood at around six percent in The Bahamas. The union density in The Bahamas is relatively low compared to other Caribbean countries. A low union density generally indicates a weaker labor movement, while a higher density suggests greater worker representation and bargaining power. This can make it difficult for unions to negotiate on behalf of workers and to exert political influence.

The Bahamian economy has also faced several challenges in recent years, including the impact of hurricanes, COVID-19, and the closure of several major hotels. These challenges have led to job losses and wage stagnation, making it difficult for unions to negotiate better wages and benefits for workers. While trade unions in The Bahamas have historically had close ties to the government, there have been tensions between unions and the government in recent years. This has made it difficult for unions to effectively advocate for workers' rights and interests. Many trade unions in The Bahamas operate on limited budgets and have limited staff and resources. This can make it difficult for unions to provide services and support to their members, particularly in smaller unions.

The labor laws in The Bahamas also need reform, particularly in the areas of collective bargaining and dispute resolution. This can make it difficult for unions to negotiate with employers and to resolve disputes in a timely and effective manner. Despite these challenges, trade unions in The Bahamas continue to play an important role in advocating for workers' rights and interests. By adapting to new challenges and opportunities, unions can continue to be a vital force for social and economic justice in the country.

Improvement of trade unions

One of the main ways to help improve unions is to strengthen relationships with government. Unions need to ensure that they are using their political influence in a responsible and effective way. This may require unions to be more strategic in their political engagement and advocacy efforts. To do this, unions will have to bring to the table new ideas and innovative ways of ensuring members are getting value for money. This could include improving benefits, services, and training programs that meet the needs of workers in a changing economy. Another key step is to develop strategic alliances with other labor organizations and civil society groups. This can help to build a stronger and more diverse labor movement and increase the bargaining power of workers. Overall, improving trade unions in The Bahamas requires a combination of structural and cultural changes. By diversifying their membership, adapting to new challenges, enhancing transparency and accountability, addressing political influence, improving services to members, and developing strategic alliances, trade unions can remain effective in representing the interests of workers and promoting social and economic justice.

The National Development Plan

The National Democratic Party (NDP) in The Bahamas has outlined several initiatives that could support trade unions and workers' rights. The NDP has committed to strengthening labor laws in the country, including the Employment Act and the Trade Unions Act. This could provide greater protection for workers and strengthen the bargaining power of trade unions. The plan also emphasized the importance of collective bargaining as a means of improving wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers. The party has committed to supporting workers' rights to form unions and to bargain collectively with employers. Further, the NDP outlines plans to engage with trade unions and other labor organizations to better understand their priorities and concerns. This could help to build stronger relationships between the party and labor organizations and help to ensure that the needs and priorities of workers are adequately represented.

Conclusion

While trade unions have made significant progress in advocating for workers' rights and interests, they face challenges such as declining membership and limited resources. However, the NDP offer potential opportunities for improving the performance of trade unions and addressing these challenges. To improve trade unions in The Bahamas, it is important to diversify membership, adapt to new challenges, enhance transparency and accountability, address political influence, improve services to members, and develop strategic alliances. By working together, unions, political parties, and other stakeholders can create a more just and equitable society for all workers in The Bahamas.

• Roderick A. Simms II is the past BCCEC family island division director. Email: RASII@ME.com.

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe rejected criticism yesterday about the length of the police investigation into a woman's allegations of abuse involving a sitting MP.

Bjorn Ferguson, the lawyer of a woman who filed a complaint against the MP, recently said the length of the investigation shows a double standard in how police treat matters involving prominent people versus less influential people. #Mr Munroe countered yesterday that the length of investigations is driven by the facts of each case, not who a person is. #“So if you have an allegation with, we had them with tourists with the spring break things, it’s fairly simple: they say they were raped, they come immediately to the police station. They’re carried to the hospital. All of that happens in a short compass. Whether the person in that instance is rich, powerful, famous, doesn’t really matter.” #“I did one with a young baseball phenom from the US. That happened quickly because the female made the complaint right away. There have been others where if the longer it takes for you to come forward, then the more period of time that the police are investigating. That just stands to reason. #“So if you make a complaint a month later, they have to investigate your interactions and communications over that month. That takes longer than investigating your interaction (and) communications over one hour. So in my experience of 31 years, that’s been my experience. It’s been driven, not so much by the person but by the facts that the police are investigating.” #The woman filed a complaint with the police about her ex-boyfriend on April 7. #On April 15, she showed The Tribune a copy of a document she had signed and submitted to the police when she met them for the third time. #Mr Munroe said he does not believe the police investigation has been excessive given the time between when the assault allegedly happened and when the alleged victim filed a complaint.

Bjorn Ferguson, the lawyer of a woman who filed a complaint against the MP, recently said the length of the investigation shows a double standard in how police treat matters involving prominent people versus less influential people.

Mr Munroe countered yesterday that the length of investigations is driven by the facts of each case, not who a person is.

“So if you have an allegation with, we had them with tourists with the spring break things, it’s fairly simple: they say they were raped, they come immediately to the police station. They’re carried to the hospital. All of that happens in a short compass. Whether the person in that instance is rich, powerful, famous, doesn’t really matter.”

“I did one with a young baseball phenom from the US. That happened quickly because the female made the complaint right away. There have been others where if the longer it takes for you to come forward, then the more period of time that the police are investigating. That just stands to reason.

“So if you make a complaint a month later, they have to investigate your interactions and communications over that month. That takes longer than investigating your interaction (and) communications over one hour. So in my experience of 31 years, that’s been my experience. It’s been driven, not so much by the person but by the facts that the police are investigating.”

The woman filed a complaint with the police about her ex-boyfriend on April 7.

On April 15, she showed The Tribune a copy of a document she had signed and submitted to the police when she met them for the third time.

Mr Munroe said he does not believe the police investigation has been excessive given the time between when the assault allegedly happened and when the alleged victim filed a complaint.

 

Another hurricane season is upon us and we have no indication that the government has a plan to address another disaster even close to the magnitude of Hurricane Dorian.

Given the failures of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) during the past administration, which created it, there was hope that the Davis administration would prove more adept at dealing with the challenges facing Abaco and Grand Bahama.

All hope in that regard is gone.

The DRA has been a non-factor in Abaco and Grand Bahama for some time, with its Homeowner Assistance and Relief Program seeing middling results.

At last report, a few homes of elderly citizens were repaired, but the vast majority of people who were left displaced by Hurricane Dorian have not felt any significant impact.

It is unclear why the DRA has been so ineffective, but there is no dodging that is has been.

The government made great fanfare late last year when it passed the Disaster Risk Management Act.

That act repealed the Disaster Preparedness and Response Act of 2008 and the Disaster Reconstruction Authority Act of 2019.

It was also supposed to form the Disaster Risk Management Authority.

The new act was supposed to establish the Disaster Risk Management Authority, which would replace the National Emergency Management Agency and the Disaster Reconstruction Authority.

During debate on the Disaster Risk Management Bill, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Myles LaRoda said "the government of The Bahamas accepts that we must do all that is necessary to ensure that comprehensive disaster management policies and strategies address all aspects of the disaster management cycle: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery".

"Investing in preparedness and disaster risk reduction is much cheaper than in response. We must not wait for disasters to occur and then act, but take disaster risk reduction seriously; it reduces losses of lives, livelihood, and property," LaRoda said.

He also promised broad public engagement with regard to formulating policy.

"We believe in improving knowledge and innovation to mitigate the risks of natural hazards and building a culture for disaster resilience," he said.

"The legislation also makes provisions to support a whole of government approach to disaster risk management, especially the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change across the different sectors and through all levels of government, through information sharing, cooperation, and joint planning, as appropriate, and to govern the declaration of disaster situations and ensure disaster response operations are adequate, and to facilitate the entry and coordination of international humanitarian assistance when required during a disaster situation, and to establish an Emergency Fund."

Speaking to the bill in the House last year, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said the former administration's handling of the aftermath of Dorian was "one of the most shameful things to have occurred in our history."

"I don't recall another instance where in the face of such tragedy, such grace was given, such bounty of generosity offered and such goodwill and hope were given so freely only to be squandered so thoroughly by an administration of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas," Cooper said.

"The people of Abaco and Grand Bahama were failed beyond measure by the Minnis administration - some call it the menace administration - and we are left here to pick up the pieces of the disaster that was the Disaster Reconstruction Authority."

While Cooper is not wrong about the former administration, the national discussion promised by the current administration has been non-existent.

Last we checked, the Disaster Risk Management Authority has not been formed and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) still very much exists.

NEMA is tasked with formulating an annual plan.

If it has, there is no public record of it.

Neither has there been a release of the national shelters list.

Despite a recent press conference, NEMA and the DRA provided an unsatisfactory update on the country's level of preparedness for the season.

Thirteen named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes are predicted this season.

Very few people could tell you, or care for that matter, how many storms were predicted when hurricanes Joaquin, Matthew, Irma and Dorian hit.

The Davis administration has a prime minister and a minister of state responsible for natural disaster response, yet there is no inkling of what such a response would look like.

God forbid a hurricane hits us this season and this administration proves as inept as the last one.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th.