From left, Paul Maynard, Paul Ferguson, president of the Bahamas Public Service Union, and Bernard Evans, president of BCPOU. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
TRADE union leaders yesterday claimed they were intentionally “left out” of discussions surrounding the controversial Commercial Enterprises Bill.
Bernard Evans, the National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB) president, during a press conference at BCPOU Hall accused the Minnis administration of rushing a bill which abuses the concept of economic development.
Noting the NCTUB hadn’t officially met as body to discuss the Commercial Enterprises Bill, Mr Evans said all the feedback he has received from the those who have reviewed it is in line with his view that the bill will not adequately generate jobs for Bahamians.
The bill, if enacted, would allow foreigners or Bahamians to receive “economic concessions” if they establish specified types of businesses in the Bahamas with an investment of no less than $250,000.
Such businesses would be entitled to a set number of work permits for executives, managers and people with “specialised knowledge”.
The low investment threshold has been met with harsh criticisms by many in the political and economic spheres of society; including former Prime Minister and Free National Movement leader Hubert Ingraham.
Of the low figure, Mr Evans said yesterday: “We know that something has to be done (to boost the economy), but it seems as if we are trying to do a fire sale and (it’s) cheapening what Bahamian is all about; and I don’t know if we need to do that.”
He added: “We cannot be prostituting ourselves at the expense of, at the risk that we suffer yet again the Bahamian working experience or guarantees, while the Bahamians or those who invest in the Bahamas don’t seem to get their fair shake.
“This whole thing seems to be stacked up (for) foreigners coming in. We don’t have a problem with that, but again, you should provide better concessions or advantages for Bahamians so that we can have a leg up and have a real true piece of the pie and be able to participate in the economic success of the country.”
Asked by The Tribune about the level of input the union has had on the bill to date, Mr Evans said frankly: “None.”
“As a matter of fact, we have drawn letters to that effect, to express that there are other issues that we have with the government since coming into power. They don’t have any real intentions of involving the unions in true dialogue.”
When asked for his comments on the ongoing discussion surrounding the bill, Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) President Kingsley Ferguson questioned how many jobs could be derived from a $250,000 investment.
Mr Ferguson claimed enterprises of that value are normally small ventures manned by a single entrepreneur without hired staff.
Meanwhile, Bahamas Electrical Workers Union President Paul Maynard urged the government to reconsider the threshold, calling for it to be increased to as much as $6m or at least, $3m.
Debate on the bill begins in the Senate on Monday.
Comments
DDK 6 years, 4 months ago
Oh fie!
John2 6 years, 4 months ago
The visionary intentions of the Commercial Enterprises Bill beyond the intellectual pay grade of archaic union leaders !!.
OldFort2012 6 years, 4 months ago
"When asked for his comments on the ongoing discussion surrounding the bill, Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) President Kingsley Ferguson questioned how many jobs could be derived from a $250,000 investment.".
Lets work it for the dinosaur. A computer, and I mean a really good one is about $2,000. Steve Jobs and 3 pals started in their garage and now employ 116,000. The 2 Google founders employ 72,000.
So the answer is: more than there are people in the Bahamas.
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 4 months ago
That's a nice story and a true story at that, but it can't be used to bolster the argument for the "high paying job opportunities for Bahamians" and "attracting Bahamians from Silicon Valley to come back home".
What's off with this whole Cmmercial Enterprises tale is that none of the spoken justifications match the language in the bill. Now if they said, in the first 3-5 years we don't expect to hire a single Bahamian, if the company grows we may hire some low level Bahamian staff to support the operation, ....that would match.
What the Bill Gayes Steve Jobs, Zuckerberg stories really support is training of your people and opening their eyes to possibilities, thats the key to innovation.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 4 months ago
Unions have totally abused their goodwill in this country ......... these modern union leaders have moved so far from the ideals of Randol Fawkes and his generation of unionists that what passes for "unions" today are really the sacred cows for an elitist bunch of quasi-politicians who make big salaries off the union members and shoot hot air like the three in the picture (and others).
tetelestai 6 years, 4 months ago
OldFort2012, my next comments are in no way to be disrespectful. So if you don't mind a reasoned rebuttal to your comments then I shall proceed. I submit that your comments only prove the redundancy of this Bill. If, as you suggest, that Steve Jobs, from the origins of his garage in the US, was able to create 1116,000 jobs (and is, of course a billionaire), the logical question then is: why come to the Bahamas if he can derive the benefits he derived in the US? For that matter, why would Jack Ma leave China and come to The Bahamas? Or Shawn Parker (showing my age I know) ? Or the Winklevoss twins? This Bill provides no incentive for anyone engaged in the businesses mentioned in the Bill to lure them to The Bahamas. As is currently drafted, the Bill is, at best redundant (most of the provisions already form The Bahamas' National Investment Policy) and at worst, a gigantic waste of time which will not benefit anyone save for the lawyers and consultants paid handsome amounts to draft the same.
licks2 6 years, 4 months ago
I thought that you set out to give a reasoned rebuttal. . .WHAT IS THAT YOU JUST GAVE? Man yall Bahamians need to stop "killing" yall country just to make the opposite political party look bad!! . . .like these union PLP hacks. . .I don't know about the Ferguson man too much. . .but Mr Evens is dye in the wool PLP. . .and the other union man sitting there. . .PLP to the bone!
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 4 months ago
not a PLP FNM or DNA, don't have a Junkanoo group, basketball team, football team or baseball team...just appreciate good performance....given the last six months I don't they they need help to look bad, they're off to a very rocky start...I'm flabbergasted, I expected much better... "Attempted murders are down but murders are up"... I don't know what to think.
Don't trust these guys, not after may are tell us he got whatever he asked for to hell with the country's finances
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 4 months ago
Not after Maynard tell us*
OldFort2012 6 years, 4 months ago
You are absolutely right and no US person is going to come to the Bahamas, whatever some Bill says. That is because the US has universal taxation, meaning that wherever you reside, you pay tax in the USA. This Bill is meant for the rest of the world, which has residency taxation. If you physically move your software business from Europe (or Latin America) to the Bahamas, you will pay income tax here. And since there is no income tax...
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 4 months ago
Translation "cheap labor"
bogart 6 years, 4 months ago
If for decades so many changes of governments and the union cry is still 'we werent consulted' , 'we werent asked' cries like that, then by now shouldnt someone have asked, WHY?? In other countries unions have been so advanced in nation building strategy that they are the bavkbone of major political parties.
birdiestrachan 6 years, 4 months ago
Some employers make unions absolutely necessary. They should have been consulted.
licks2 6 years, 4 months ago
I never thought that I would ever agree with anything you say. . .but yes birdie. . .you are right! Also remember. . .unions are consulted every 5 years for their input. . .which they use up demanding money. . .bind themselves for the next five years. . .then the government runs the nation for the people. . .not the unions. . .they were elected by their members to look out for their best interests when they negotiate contracts for the people!
birdiestrachan 6 years, 4 months ago
employers have made unions absolutely necessary. They should have been consulted
sheeprunner12 6 years, 4 months ago
The worst Unions are those that represent Government workers ......... just look at what is going on in Education, Post Office, Road Traffic, etc. ........ and those corporations ........ There is NO productivity, no accountability and no means to dismiss these employees who are protected by CBAs and/or General Orders ........ The Government needs to scrap the whole civil service, rehire the best 10,000 on three to five year contracts with voluntary contributory pension plans, contract out all of these unnecessary ancillary services (like janitresses and messengers) ..........and revise the 70 year old General Orders and get rid of these oppressive Union CBAs.
TheMadHatter 6 years, 4 months ago
Don't worry about it union leaders. While I support and defend the need for unions in many areas of our Bahamian employment arena (Bahamians do suffer at the hands of unscrupulous employers daily) - in these particular sectors delineated in this Act you won't have to worry about the pay grades etc for Bahamians. No employees there are going to join your union. They will have no incentive. Relax. KP & Brent got this one well in hand at the Investments Board level.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 4 months ago
You are correct ........... Wonder if Bahamar will ever be unionized.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID