By Delvardo Emmanuel
Journal Staff Writer

Minister of Labour and Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle criticized Bahamas Trade
Union Congress President Obie Ferguson and called his demand to increase
minimum wage from $250 to $350 per week by June 2024 “reckless.”
“I have no issues with increases. But we just had a minimum wage increase of 23
percent and to suggest a 67 percent hike within two years of an initial increase is a
little reckless in particular. We have to consider that we’re moving from an
informed place, which I would have stated before,” Glover-Rolle said.
Her comments came on Wednesday during the Promotion and Reclassification
Ceremony for Immigration Workers held at Salem Union Baptist Church. The
minister also indicated that the government is open to the idea of an additional
increase in wages.
“This is consultation, should be data driven and the consultations have to take
place with the tripartite, the employees and the unions, the government, but most
importantly, the businesses,” Glover-Rolle said.
“We don’t want to put companies in a position where we are imposing an increase
that could essentially put companies out of business and thereby, these same
employees will be out of work.”
In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Glover-Rolle has emphasized
the importance of balance between all stakeholders.
The labour minister has also expressed the government’s willingness to come to the
table and work towards a resolution.
“I just had a meeting with Mr. Ferguson yesterday. This wasn’t a part of the
conversation,” she said. “But we have an open line of communication. Me as the
minister of public service and labour, and all of my Cabinet colleagues, we have
open lines of communications with our unions. We’re still in consultation as we
spoke about going and looking towards a liveable wage, the unions will, of course,
be a part of that conversation and are a part of that conversation.”