The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

TRADE unions are concerned there is no strategic plan to prepare the Bahamian workforce for World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership, describing this as a "major deficiency".

Obie Ferguson, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) president, told Tribune Business: "Before WTO becomes a reality we should prepare the Bahamian workforce for the nuances which will come as a result of the WTO.

"I'm hearing a lot of discussions here and there, but I see no specific plan geared towards training to be able to combat what is likely to come as a result of WTO. It is a major concern to us that while we are talking I see no strategic plan encompassing the unions and the workers of the country towards developing a training program to deal with the situation.

"That is a major concern to the labour movement. As a result there could be a lot of displacement of workers who are not trained or have not been able to update their skills."

The Government is targeting 2019 to complete the longest-ever WTO accession process. "We support worker productivity, but in order to improve productivity you have to understand that it is linked to proper training," said Mr Ferguson. "Without proper training you cannot maximise the productivity level. We are very reluctant to provide proper training in this country. That is a major deficiency. Education and training are important engines for development."

The TUC last week voiced its support for its Bahamas Doctors Union (BDU) affiliate over recent comments by minister of health, Dr Duane Sands.

Dr Mucomba Millar, BDU acting president, hit back at Dr Sands for saying there was a group of under-performing clinicians in the public health service who earn $60,000 a year but work fewer than five hours a week, adding that "their time is up".

Dr Millar said Dr Sands never raised this issue with the union. Dr Sands clarified, however, that he was not referring to the junior doctors union but, rather, the consultant doctors.

Dr Millar has also accused the Government of failing to pay doctors' holiday pay, and cited several other issues impacting physicians.