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Monday, June 15, 2026
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Minister: new Labour reforms a ‘defining moment for workers’ By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net WORKING women are set to receive enhanced maternity protections while employers will face stronger workplace safety obligations after The Bahamas ratified three key International Labour Organization conventions Minister of Labour and the Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle said the agreements will strengthen workplace protections for employees across multiple sectors while advancing labour reforms already underway in The Bahamas. Speaking after formally depositing the country's instruments of ratification at the International Labour Organization's headquarters in Geneva , Mrs Glover-Rolle said the ratifications would provide stronger protections for employees throughout the country. "This is a defining moment for Bahamian workers. Ratifying these three conventions means that every worker in this country, whether they are on a construction site or in an office, will have the full force of international occupational safety and health standards protecting them, and every working woman will have
Enhanced protection for women - stronger safety obligations for employers
PIA GLOVER-ROLLE modern maternity protections in place." She added: "This administration made a commitment to decent work for all, and we are taking the necessary steps to deliver that promise." The Bahamas ratified Convention 155 on Occupational Safety
ORG concern at pace of seabed leasing legislation By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE Organization for Responsible Governance is raising concerns about the pace at which the Government is advancing seabed leasing legislation, arguing that affected stakeholders have not been given sufficient opportunity to weigh the potential risks and implications. The concern is among several governance issues highlighted in ORG's review of the 2026-2027 Budget, which examined policy priorities alongside government spending plans. "ORG remains concerned about the pace at
which seabed leasing legislation is advancing," the report said. According to the organisation, the proposed framework could have significant implications for marine resources, fisheries, tourism, environmental protection, coastal resilience, public access and local economic opportunities. The issue has attracted heightened scrutiny since the Government's proposed reforms to the Port Authorities Act, which would require persons seeking to construct or operate marinas, piers, wharves, jetties, moorings and other seabed-related developments
SEABED - See Page B5
Medication shortage prompts search for alternative drugs By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net PATIENTS enrolled in the National Prescription Drug Plan (NPDP) are facing temporary shortages of certain medications used to treat chronic illnesses, prompting the programme to activate emergency procurement measures and seek alternative supply sources while awaiting replenishment shipments. In a statement, the NPDP acknowledged that some prescription
Three ILO conventions expand safeguards for Bahamian workers
medications are currently unavailable because of supply challenges affecting certain products within the programme. Officials stressed that the disruptions are temporary and limited to a relatively small number of medications. The programme said it has been working directly with pharmaceutical wholesalers and suppliers to restore inventory levels and expects replenishment shipments to arrive over the coming days.
NPDP - See Page B4
Bahamas moves to align labour laws with international standards
and Health, Convention 187 on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, and Convention 183 on Maternity Protection. Convention 183 establishes international standards covering maternity leave, income support during maternity leave, health protections for pregnant and nursing workers, and safeguards against dismissal linked to maternity. Mrs Glover-Rolle said the conventions align with broader efforts to modernise labour legislation and strengthen workplace standards across the Bahamian economy. The ratification follows several years of consultation involving the National Tripartite Council, the
LABOUR - See Page B4
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Cat Island, Exuma, and Andros next on BTC’s expansion plans Fixed wireless broadband rollout targets three more Family Islands BTC targets connectivity gaps with wireless broadband expansion BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) plans to expand its BTC Air fixed wireless broadband service to Cat Island, parts of Exuma, and Andros as the telecommunications provider pushes ahead with efforts to improve internet connectivity across the Family Islands. Speaking on the company’s broadband strategy, BTC chief executive Sameer Bhatti said the three islands have been identified as the next markets for deployment following ongoing rollouts in Bimini and Eleuthera. “We have a number of other islands that we have earmarked including Cat
SAMEER BHATTI Island, including parts of Exuma and Andros. Those are the next three that we have earmarked that we’re going to roll into,” Mr Bhatti said. The expansion forms part of BTC’s strategy to bridge connectivity gaps between New Providence and the Family Islands by using fixed wireless technology rather than relying
BTC - See Page B4