| The Free National Movement believes that the
path to progress for all Bahamians runs parallel to the road taken by labour. The Free National Movement is of the view that recognition of and respect for the workers of this nation must be paramount in all employer-worker relationships and interactions. The Free National Movement is satisfied that appropriate legislative and administrative structures - long denied workers - are now in place, and the Free National Movement proposes that certain additional laws be enacted to round out the package of labour legislation to take us into the 21st century.
The objective of the Free National Movement Government is to foster and maintain industrial stability and peace, high productivity from, and just reward to the worker.
The Free National Movement has brought fairness, partnership and stability to Government’s relationship with labour unions.
Having simplified the requirements for union recognition; having established Industrial Tribunals for the expeditious and effective resolution of labour disputes; having concluded labour contracts with public sector employees at Bahamasair, the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, The Bahamas Electricity Corporation, the National Insurance Board, The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation, the Water and Sewerage Corporation, The Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation, and the Gaming Board; having established a minimum wage for hourly and weekly employees of government; having increased salaries in all public sector agencies, bringing pay schedules to levels consistent with public service standards, your FNM Government, in its second term, |
in addition to its commitments in Manifesto 92, will: Maintain and strengthen the Government-Labour relationship which has been forged.
Enact legislation to make provision for minimum standards and conditions of employment; to provide for increased job security; to provide protection for workers against unfair dismissal; to guarantee severance and sick leave pay; to provide for the transferability of health insurance benefits upon change of employment; to define the terms and conditions of employment of shift workers; and to limit the period of time during which an employee may be considered as being "on probation".
Establish a minimum wage for workers, particularly shop assistants, fast food restaurant workers, unskilled construction workers, domestic workers and security guards.
Enact legislation to ensure the application of the "equal pay for equal work" rule for male and female employees and as regards Bahamian and foreign staff.
Fund training for shop-stewards and other union representatives.
Provide incentives and encouragement for public corporations and large private firms to offer profit-sharing arrangements or share/stock options to their employees.
Assist unions and others in the operation and management of community centres and day care facilities for children of work ing parents.
Enact legislation governing health and safety in the work place.
Establish proper and well-organised labour exchanges.
Introduce a proper system of apprenticeship in essential disciplines such as the building trades, motor mechanics, appliance repairs and printing.
Create a system for conciliation of industrial disputes involving public sector unions, public corporations and the Government.
Make it mandatory that the total compen-sation package, i.e. salaries and benefits, of union officers and officials is clearly itemised in the audited accounts of the Organisation.
Strengthen and improve Labour Administration in New Providence and the Family Islands. |