The Tribune

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT

tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net

FOR the first time, the National Tripartite Council has elected a female as its new chairman who will take the helm in labour and industrial relations over the next three years.

No stranger to trade unionism and industrial relations, Sharon Martin was elected on August 5. Ms Martin, president of the Women’s Association of the National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas and former secretary of the council, was elected by the council members to lead the body for the 2021-2024 statutory period.

She will hold the seat for labour as mandated by the National Tripartite Council Act 2015 for the next three years. The three-year statutory period for the council began on July 1.

Obie Ferguson, president of the Trade Unions of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, congratulated Ms Martin.

“Ms Martin is an example for younger women to now see a woman of stature that is just not there because she is a woman, but because she is competent,” Mr Ferguson said. “I am happy that she is in that seat, she has my full support.”

“When I received the support call from Khrystle Rutherford-Ferguson, chairman of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, I told her that I have big shoes to fill,” Ms Martin said. “Nevertheless, I am extremely excited, honored and privileged to be elected by this vanguard, these are some of the brightest minds in this country.

“These are challenging times in our nation; however, my executive team and I have the full support of our leaders and we will be successful in executing our duty for our country. Labour is the country’s richest asset, it’s time that we stop putting the workers as one-liners in our conversations.”

Touted as an outstanding female leader by her peers, Ms Martin is also the first female to lead the Union of Public Officers at the National Insurance Board in its 40-year history. She also represented workers in June when The Bahamas was invited for the first time to sit as a tripartite observer delegate on the International Labour Organization’s governing body - the executive body of the ILO.

Bernard Evans, president of the National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas, said; “There have been some rocky paths crossed by many labour leaders in recent times, however, the NCTUB is committed to our role to advance social justice and promote decent work. We are keenly aware that Ms Martin shares that same vision.”

Officers elected to serve along with Ms Martin are Robert Farquharson; Ricardo Deveaux; and Rionda Godet. Government representatives are: Patrenda Russell-Brice and Quinton LaRoda. Employers’ representatives are Peter Goudie; Malvese Capron and Joan Dilworth.

Labour representatives are Sherry Benjamin; Tyrone ‘Rock’ Morris; and Frederick Munnings.