The Tribune

By NATARIO MCKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Director of Labour says employee outsourcing by Bahamian companies has provoked a number of disputes, particularly in the financial services and hotel industries.

"There have been a number of matters from trade unions that had a small pocket of the outsourcing of services, particularly in the financial services sector," said Robert Farquharson. "I know of one or two there, and the hotel sector as well.

"There have been none formally before me, but they have been brought to my attention and addressed through collective bargaining or consultation with the bargaining agents."

His comments came as he confirmed he is dealing with a dispute between the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and some 80 technicians that it 'outsourced' to become so-called independent contractors.

"There is a matter before me dealing with about 80-plus persons who are employed at BTC, providing services in the outside plant area. I am presently addressing the matter and because it's before me I can't give specifics," Mr Farquharson said.

BTC technicians are claiming that they have waited two years to resolve outstanding issues, which arose after they were handed "involuntary" separation packages in 2015, re-hired as contract workers and subsequently received no paid vacation days.

BTC, though, has described the packages accepted by the technicians as voluntary after it took measures to position itself to "effectively and efficiently provide services to the consumer".

"Among those measures was to reduce operational costs by using a different model to provide installation and repair services to consumers," it added. "Technicians who provided these services were offered a generous voluntary separation package, and then offered an opportunity to provide those same services as independent contractors at a flat fee.

"As an agency shop, these terms were found mutually acceptable to the union. The technicians accepted the generous voluntary packages, and then were offered contracts which they voluntarily signed."