The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Chamber of Commerce's newly-elected chairman yesterday said labour and business must pursue positive dialogue, adding that the path to a better Bahamas was wide enough for both sides.

Mike Maura, who is also the Arawak Port Development Company's (APD) chief executive, said: "Labour and business must pursue positive social dialogue. By working together there is little doubt in my mind that bridges can be built where none existed, and innovation will come from all sides."

Speaking at the opening of a workshop hosted by the Chamber in collaboration with the Caribbean Employer's Confederation (CEC) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr Maura added: "This collaborative approach can also serve to assist government in policy reform and development, and expediting our national recovery.

"Government has historically been slow to enact progressive labour or business policies for fear of retribution. We can only imagine the degree of national progress if labour and business jointly assisted policy makers."

Althea Albury, senior deputy director at the Department of Labour, said: "Social dialogue is a useful tool that allows governments, employers and workers to manage, change and achieve economic goals."

She added that the Government affirmed its commitment to continue working with its social partners as they move to improve the standard of living and quality of life for working Bahamians.

As defined by the ILO, social dialogue, includes "all types of negotiation, consultation or simply exchange of information between, or among, representatives of governments, employers and workers, on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy".