ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
Inter-American Council for Integral Development
(CIDI)
XIV INTER-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
OF MINISTERS OF LABOR
September 26-27, 2005
Mexico City, Mexico
ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE VINCENT A. PEET,
MINISTER OF LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION OF THE
COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
OEA/Ser.K/XII.14.1
TRABAJO/INF.18/05
26 September 2005
Original: English
ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE VINCENT A. PEET,
MINISTER OF LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION OF THE
COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
His Excellency, Mr. Session Chairman, Distinguished Head of the Ministerial Secretariat,
Dr. Alice Abreu, Distinguished colleagues, Ministers of Labour, Distinguished representatives of
CEATAL and COSATE, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning.
I would like to extend heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the Government and people of The
Commonwealth of The Bahamas to our hardworking colleagues of The Ministry of Labour for
Mexico for their warm reception and excellent hospitality.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the hardworking team of the
Organization for American States (OAS) Secretariat headed by Dr. Alice Abreu on your preparations
for this meeting.
As you are aware, Mr. Chairman, the world of work as we know it is constantly changing.
The Bahamas, like other member states, is confronted with the challenge of creating job opportunities
for Bahamians as well as those who live and reside in The Bahamas. We are cognizant of the effects
of globalization on a developing economy, the dynamics of labour market trends, and the ever
evolving role played by our tripartite partners in our national development. These challenges have
served to motivate the Government of the Bahamas and the Ministry of Labour to address these
issues head-on.
Fellow delegates, the consolidated effort to move forward under the theme, ‘The Social
Effects of Public Policy in Employment and in the Fight against Poverty’ is in keeping with the
mandate of The Bahamian Government.
The Bahamian Government promised that when elected, ‘we would provide help and hope to
our people by establishing the kinds of public policies that would enable our people to find decent
work, to facilitate the broadening of our entrepreneurial base and to eliminate poverty.’ To this end,
The Bahamas has indeed remained committed to the central truths of the Millennium Declaration
from which the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work were derived.
Within this context, I am pleased to report to this august body that as a result of our public
policies, we have been successful in attracting and establishing numerous foreign and domestic
investment initiatives to The Bahamas at this time. As a result, a myriad of employment
opportunities now exists for men, women and the youth of our nation. Investments like the US$1.2
billion Baha Mar Cable Beach Touristic Redevelopment Project is expected to generate 4,500 fulltime decent jobs in its construction stage, and 9,000 decent jobs upon completion over a three year
period. The $250 million Project by the Chub Cay Associates in the Berry Islands has already hired
300 Bahamians. The Kerzner International Phase III Project, which currently employs 1,500-1,800 of
our citizens, is expected to increase that number to 2,500 next year.
-2-
Mr. Chairman and fellow delegates, the Government of The Bahamas has processed and
approved almost US$4 billion worth of investments over the last three years. Hence, the need for
skilled artisans is ever increasing.
To this end, on-going training and re-training of workers is of the highest priority for our
government, and this is reflected in all Heads of Agreement signed by investors, which require funds
to be set aside for the training of Bahamians.
Upon my return, I shall along with the Minister of Education, witness the signing of what
shall be the first in a series of Apprentice contracts between Baha Mar and Kerzner International.
Both of whom through their collective efforts, have set aside in excess of $12 million to facilitate onthe-job Technical and Vocational Training for thousands of Bahamian workers. In addition, the
Government through its Ministry of Education, The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, The
College of The Bahamas, the Ministry of Labour and The Bahamas Hotel Association has formed a
joint Task Force to establish a Technical and Vocational Training program to address the demand for
skilled Bahamian workers, and to recommend a comprehensive plan to further prepare the Bahamian
workforce for additional job opportunities in the future.
My Fellow delegates, as I speak there are some 75 Mexican citizens living and working in
The Bahamas receiving considerable income which has enabled them to provide an excellent
standard of living for themselves and their families.
I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Mexican Government for what we
see as the fruits of a system of Technical and Vocational Training that has enabled them to export
skilled labour to areas where those skills are limited and where for defined periods, those skills are in
demand.
I should like to encourage all Ministries of Labour in the Western Hemisphere, to work
together to establish linkages where our peoples can become exposed to the latest techniques and
methodologies for Technical and Vocational Training in our respective countries.
It is no secret, Mr. Chairman that unemployment figures are steadily increasing throughout
the world. It affords me great pleasure as the Minister of Labour to report that the unemployment
rate in the Bahamas is now down, and is one of the lowest in the region. It is however the resolve of
The Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and
my Ministry to reduce the unemployment rate even lower, and this has been demonstrated by the
establishment of a public policy initiative called The Farm Road Project.
This project has brought together several key agencies of the Government, namely, The
Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Ministries of Works and Utilities, Health and the Environment,
Social Services and Community Development and the Ministry of Labour in a concerted effort to
restore the homes, businesses, parks and playgrounds as well as provide job opportunities for all its
residents. Mainly in the inner city areas.
This Farm Road Project which has received regional and international acclaim, has resulted
in the reduction of crime and unemployment in these areas.
-3-
My fellow delegates, The Government of The Bahamas realizes the significant roles that our
social partners, as well as civil society play in promoting and sustaining a safe, healthy and
productive work environment in our democratic society. To this end, a consensus-based approach to
Industrial Relations has resulted in the successful negotiation and execution of 44 Industrial
Agreements over a period of three years. Such a concerted effort and genuine willingness speaks
volumes about the stability of our economy. It is our collective resolve to continue to promote decent
work, through the implementation and execution of improved working conditions and povertyreducing strategies. Working together, in the true spirit of tripartism, I believe we can accomplish so
much more for all workers.
Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, I wish to reiterate my government’s conscious resolve to
continue to work with, and assist the ILO in its quest to not only promote the dignity and equality of
work for all constituents as a means of reducing poverty, but to contribute to and implement relevant
policies and practices for the promotion of labour market initiatives and sustainable development
throughout our national economies. Thank you.
TB01339E01