The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FOLLOWING the recent passing of the National Tripartite Council Bill, Families For Justice (FFJ) is calling for the establishment of a task force to ensure that employers abide by the minimum wage requirement.  

Rev Glenroy Bethel, president of FFJ, claimed many employers are still not paying the minimum wage despite the implementation of new government taxes and the recent price increases by retailers.

He believes that a task force should be set up in the Labour Department that will ensure the enforcement of minimum wage in the country.  

The minimum wage for the public service is $210 per week and lower for the private sector at $150.

“Bahamians everywhere have encountered new taxes by the government, and these taxes in most cases have been passed down through the merchants who have taken the position to add profits to their inventory along with the new taxes,” he said.

“This has placed a huge burden on average working families, and has made it difficult for families to pay rent, pay their mortgage, buy food, or take care of their families efficiently.”

Rev Bethel said everything in The Bahamas has increased, except employees’ pay. He believes that the minimum wage should be increased to $5.25 per hour or $42 per day.  

John Pinder, National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas president,  praised the government’s recent passing of the National Tripartite Council Bill as a step in the right direction, but said it needed to consider raising the minimum wage to $350 a week for public service and $300 for the private sector.

The FFJ president said many employers in the private sector are not in compliance with the  minimum wage.

“This is wrong and is a violation of the laws of The Bahamas,” he said. "We believe it  is  time for every working  citizen to demand payment of minimum wage by every employer  across The Bahamas.

“The Families For Justice has taken the position to join with all average working families to  petition the Government … to ensure that the minimum wage be enforced according to the laws of The Bahamas for every citizen,” Rev Bethel said.