The Director of Labour, Howard Thompson said The Bahamas government with the aid of technology has embarked on a thorough digital transformation process to enhance the efficiency of government services for Bahamian residents.  As part of this agenda, four additional Department of Labour Services were launched on the MyGateway Platform on March 4, 2024.

“These four services were miraculously designed to streamline operations, enhance efficiency and more importantly, augment accessibility for trade unions, their members and employees and employers,” the Director said during a press conference to announce the new services at the Ministry of Labour on Monday, April 8, 2024.

He said these MyGateway online services include new trade union registration, transfer of trade union licence, trade union document requests and the report of trade disputes.

The Director also noted that on Friday, April 12, 2024, the Department of Labour in partnership with MyGateway will be hosting a registration drive at 9am to 1pm at the Department’s Rosetta Street location.

The event is designed to expand the accessibility of Labour services by assisting individuals with signing on to the platform who may not have access to a mobile device, access to internet connection or may experience changes using their mobile devices.

Those members of the public who are interested in attending the event are required to bring a Bahamian passport or NIB Smart Card to register on the MyGateway portal.

Also attending the press conference were Registrar of Trade Unions, Van Delaney; Assistant Director of Labour, Margo Garrett and ICT Specialist, Digital Transformation Unit, Tajh Seymour.

The Director of Labour, Howard Thompson said The Bahamas government with the aid of technology has embarked on a thorough digital transformation process to enhance the efficiency of government services for Bahamian residents.  As part of this agenda, four additional Department of Labour Services were launched on the MyGateway Platform on March 4, 2024. “These four services were miraculously designed to streamline operations, enhance efficiency and more importantly, augment accessibility for trade unions, their members and employees and employers,” the Director said during a press conference to announce the new services at the Ministry of Labour on Monday, April 8, 2024. He said these MyGateway online services include new trade union registration, transfer of trade union licence, trade union document requests and the report of trade disputes. The Director also noted that on Friday, April 12, 2024, the Department of Labour in partnership with MyGateway will be hosting a registration drive at 9am to 1pm at the Department’s Rosetta Street location. The event is designed to expand the accessibility of Labour services by assisting individuals with signing on to the platform who may not have access to a mobile device, access to internet connection or may experience changes using their mobile devices. Those members of the public who are interested in attending the event are required to bring a Bahamian passport or NIB Smart Card to register on the MyGateway portal. Also attending the press conference were Registrar of Trade Unions, Van Delaney; Assistant Director of Labour, Margo Garrett and ICT Specialist, Digital Transformation Unit, Tajh Seymour.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper arrived in Exuma today and visited the Straw Market in George Town.  

We note the Tribune headline this morning quoting the Leader of the Opposition’s criticism of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Davis administration over the progress on the Grand Lucayan Resort and the Grand Bahama International Airport.

He is not a serious person and will clearly say anything he believes will lend him a shred of politicalrelevance, despite the historical context of these matters and his role in them.

We remind him that it was his administration that bought the property in a terrible deal and thenproceeded to sign an even worse deal to sell-off the Bahamian asset.

Under our administration the Grand Lucayan Resort remains open, has been maintained in goodphysical condition, employs over 150 Grand Bahamians and has occupancy levels and revenuessignificantly exceeding last year, let alone in any year under the stewardship of the Cabinet inwhich he sat.

Grand Bahama has seen staggering growth in airlift and is the fastest growing island for air arrivalsin the country. Grand Bahama is also growing faster in tourism arrivals this year than it did lastyear.

Cruise arrivals are up significantly on the island, with a program to convert those visitors tostopover visitors actively underway.

Grand Bahama will also soon boast some of the largest cruise port developments on the planet,which will attract millions of visitors each year, because of the diligent work of ouradministration. Indeed, more than $2 billion in real investment has been approved for GrandBahama.

We have entered into a public-private partnership agreement for the airport which wastransparently outlined in detail last year. In Michael Pintard’s excitement to talk down theeconomy of Grand Bahama he perhaps did not notice that demolition works has already startedon the dilapidated terminal of the airport from which he travels every week.

As for the Grand Lucayan, because of the environment we helped bring about, and the valuecreated, it has never been more attractive to investors. There continuesto be strong interest andat the appropriate time we will say more.

Where was this deep level of concern for Grand Bahama when his party had five (5) MPs and six(6) cabinet ministers with very little to show and a crippled economy?

The FNM is the same party that called Baha Mar a fake project and then paraded the fraudulentOban scheme before the Bahamian people.

Pintard, nor his party, has any credibility on these matters.

We note the Tribune headline this morning quoting the Leader of the Opposition’s criticism of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Davis administration over the progress on the Grand Lucayan Resort and the Grand Bahama International Airport. He is not a serious person and will clearly say anything he believes will lend him a shred of political relevance, despite the historical context of these matters and his role in them. We remind him that it was his administration that bought the property in a terrible deal and then proceeded to sign an even worse deal to sell-off the Bahamian asset. Under our administration the Grand Lucayan Resort remains open, has been maintained in good physical condition, employs over 150 Grand Bahamians and has occupancy levels and revenues significantly exceeding last year, let alone in any year under the stewardship of the Cabinet in which he sat. Grand Bahama has seen staggering growth in airlift and is the fastest growing island for air arrivals in the country. Grand Bahama is also growing faster in tourism arrivals this year than it did last year. Cruise arrivals are up significantly on the island, with a program to convert those visitors to stopover visitors actively underway. Grand Bahama will also soon boast some of the largest cruise port developments on the planet, which will attract millions of visitors each year, because of the diligent work of our administration. Indeed, more than $2 billion in real investment has been approved for Grand Bahama. We have entered into a public-private partnership agreement for the airport which was transparently outlined in detail last year. In Michael Pintard’s excitement to talk down the economy of Grand Bahama he perhaps did not notice that demolition works has already started on the dilapidated terminal of the airport from which he travels every week. As for the Grand Lucayan, because of the environment we helped bring about, and the value created, it has never been more attractive to investors. There continuesto be strong interest and at the appropriate time we will say more. Where was this deep level of concern for Grand Bahama when his party had five (5) MPs and six (6) cabinet ministers with very little to show and a crippled economy? The FNM is the same party that called Baha Mar a fake project and then paraded the fraudulent Oban scheme before the Bahamian people. Pintard, nor his party, has any credibility on these matters.

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said it was a pleasure to take part in Healing Communicators 7178 Silver Jubilee celebrations, noting that he had been a Toastmaster for well over 40 years, and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper for decades, too.

“I truly believe that Toastmasters represents ‘a paradise of possibilities, where members are developed into more confident, dynamic, and effective versions of themselves,” he said at the event held on March 9, 2024, the Warwick on Paradise Island.

“Now, I’m not necessarily suggesting that Toastmasters may be the secret ingredient to a successful career, but I am saying there is a correlation,” he added.

Joining him was his wife, Ann Marie.

Prime Minister Davis pointed out that the ability to communicate was among the top skills needed by any leader.

He said: “Especially in politics, the ability to speak clearly and effectively in a way that inspires confidence, without misspeaking, is invaluable. Unfortunately, as we see with some people -- and I’m not calling any names -- they are prone to not just putting their foot in their own mouth, they can nearly fit their whole leg. Others may speak clearly but are about as engaging as watching paint dry. I’d like to believe, and I hope, that Toastmasters has equipped me with the skills that I need to avoid these missteps.”

“Toastmasters proudly champions lifelong learning and relationship building.  It teaches members how to listen, think, and speak,” he added.

Prime Minister Davis noted that Toastmasters afforded valuable communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, which “may inspire an act of kindness or even save a life."

“If only more of our young men and women could benefit from the lessons of Toastmasters in their daily lives, their ability to resolve conflicts, positively influence their peers, and even navigate job interviews and workplaces would be much improved,” he said.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let tonight’s festivities be a reminder to us all of the value of active listening, critical thought, and considered speech,” he added.  “Listening, thinking, and speaking, my friends, can make all the difference.”

“This lesson has served me well, and I am sure it will continue to do so for you.”

“May your club enjoy another auspicious twenty-five years, producing leaders of the highest calibre – some of whom are doing some great work in my administration,” Prime Minister Davis said.  “Like I said, I suspect there is a correlation there.”

He added:  “Tonight, it is truly, truly a pleasure to spend time celebrating this moment with you. Thank you all.  May God bless Club 7178, and our entire Commonwealth.”  

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said it was a pleasure to take part in Healing Communicators 7178 Silver Jubilee celebrations, noting that he had been a Toastmaster for well over 40 years, and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper for decades, too. “I truly believe that Toastmasters represents ‘a paradise of possibilities, where members are developed into more confident, dynamic, and effective versions of themselves,” he said at the event held on March 9, 2024, the Warwick on Paradise Island. “Now, I’m not necessarily suggesting that Toastmasters may be the secret ingredient to a successful career, but I am saying there is a correlation,” he added. Joining him was his wife, Ann Marie. Prime Minister Davis pointed out that the ability to communicate was among the top skills needed by any leader. He said: “Especially in politics, the ability to speak clearly and effectively in a way that inspires confidence, without misspeaking, is invaluable. Unfortunately, as we see with some people -- and I’m not calling any names -- they are prone to not just putting their foot in their own mouth, they can nearly fit their whole leg. Others may speak clearly but are about as engaging as watching paint dry. I’d like to believe, and I hope, that Toastmasters has equipped me with the skills that I need to avoid these missteps.” “Toastmasters proudly champions lifelong learning and relationship building.  It teaches members how to listen, think, and speak,” he added. Prime Minister Davis noted that Toastmasters afforded valuable communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, which “may inspire an act of kindness or even save a life." “If only more of our young men and women could benefit from the lessons of Toastmasters in their daily lives, their ability to resolve conflicts, positively influence their peers, and even navigate job interviews and workplaces would be much improved,” he said. “Ladies and gentlemen, let tonight’s festivities be a reminder to us all of the value of active listening, critical thought, and considered speech,” he added.  “Listening, thinking, and speaking, my friends, can make all the difference.” “This lesson has served me well, and I am sure it will continue to do so for you.” “May your club enjoy another auspicious twenty-five years, producing leaders of the highest calibre – some of whom are doing some great work in my administration,” Prime Minister Davis said.  “Like I said, I suspect there is a correlation there.” He added:  “Tonight, it is truly, truly a pleasure to spend time celebrating this moment with you. Thank you all.  May God bless Club 7178, and our entire Commonwealth.”