The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

This is an open letter to the Speaker of the House,

The Hon Dr Kendal Major, MP,

Speaker,

The Hon House of Assembly

Rawson Square,

Nassau,

Bahamas

March 21st, 2017

Dear Mr Speaker,

The Police Staff Association has noted, and wishes to commend and congratulate the Hon Minister of Labour and the Government for the stance in protecting the rights of employees.

The Association is in agreement with the Hon Minister “that several employers in The Bahamas have taken advantage of loopholes in the law”.

We further agree with the Minister’s statement “Employees’ are being taken advantage of everyday” and we humbly ask the Honourable House, that while it debates on the Employment Amendment Bill, 2017 and the Industrial Relations Amendment Bill, 2017 to consider these issues and concerns affecting Bahamian employees of the Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies.

(1) How is it that the Employer of the Police, despite the Ruling of both Supreme and Appeal Courts back in 2015, has not at this time compensated officers for the Overtime.

(2) Why thousands of employees of law enforcement have to file litigation against its Employer for an entitlement of gratuity on retirement.

(3) The Employer failing to truthfully discuss with its employees or their Representative (Association) the concerns regarding their Health Insurance.

(4) The treatment and victimisation towards officers who represent law enforcement.

(5) The deplorable and degrading working conditions that continue to cause health concerns and risk.

The Association will take the challenge by the Hon Minister, we will tune into the Parliament and see how the Members of Parliament feel about us.

We only ask that how the changes to law will protect workers, that it also protects us from any further victimisation or ill treatment as a result of this letter.

May God Bless this Honourable House and the People of The Bahamas.

DWIGHT SMITH

Executive chairman

Nassau,

March 22, 2017.