From Bahama Islands Info

NASSAU, The Bahamas — Minister of Labour the Hon. Shane Gibson told the International Labour Organization (ILO) that the Government of The Bahamas has earmarked $20 million toward the reduction of youth unemployment in the country. He was addressing the 104th Session of the International Labour Organization Conference in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday, June 10, 2015.

He also thanked the Director General for visiting The Bahamas to attend the International Labour Organization’s 9th Caribbean Labour Ministers Meeting that was held March 3-4, 2015.

“This historic visit was just another indication of the ILO’s commitment to the Caribbean Region. It was The Bahamas’ distinct privilege for the Director General to be present to witness Her Excellency Dame Margaret Pindling, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, sign into law the National Tripartite Council Act 2014 on March 3rd 2015.

“Delegates would also be pleased to know that this new Act came into force on April 19, 2015 and the first official meeting of the National Tripartite Council was held on June 1, 2015,” Mr. Gibson said.

In keeping with ILO principles, as well as one of the decisions taken at the 9th ILO Caribbean Labour Ministers Meeting held in Nassau, he said the Government in conjunction with the Inter-American Development Bank has committed in its 2015-2016 National Budget, $20 milliion towards the reduction in the level of Youth Unemployment.

“This new and innovative programme is designed to identify at-risk youth and provide these persons with training and capacity building — thus equipping them with new skills, and better preparing them to enter the labour market,” he said.

Mr. Gibson further explained that it is envisioned that the Social Partners will collaborate with the Government in the implementation and execution of this programme. He also announced that The Bahamas is actively participating in the “Regional Initiative: Latin American and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour.” This innovative instrument of cooperation involves 25 countries with a goal to accelerate, as a matter of urgency, the rate of elimination of child labour and provide a response to this very serious issue that plagues the Latin American and Caribbean region.

Another initiative he shared: the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour & National Insurance has, over the past few months, placed renewed focus on Capacity Building in an effort to reduce the skills gap in the country.

“This effort has yielded positive results, and it is anticipated that upcoming seminars and public meetings would benefit all stakeholders in ensuring that the Bahamian workforce acquires the skills to meet the demands of the labour market,” he said.

Mr. Gibson also reported that a number of health and safety initiatives, through the Occupational Health and Safety Unit in the Minister of Labour & National Insurance, are aimed at reducing the number of workplace accidents, industrial injuries and the loss of productive working hours. He told the ILO that the Bahamas Agricultural and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) which was established to help to promote food security in The Bahamas, is now open and over 50 students have been enrolled. These students are now acquiring new skills and professional training in the fields of agriculture and marine science.

Photo: Minister of Labour the Hon. Shane Gibson at the 104th Session of the International Labour Organization Conference in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday, June 10, 2015. Seated from left are Harold Fountain, Bahamas Customs Department; Minister Gibson; John Pinder, President of the Bahamas Public Service Union; and Clint Minnis.

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