PRESS STATEMENT

From: Mr. Andrew Edwards

Chairman, Progressive Young Liberals

Date: 2^nd January, 2004

Over the past several months the Free National Movement has had the audacity and gall to politicize and manipulate industrial disputes in the country. The Progressive Young Liberals insist that the opposition discontinue engaging in petty politics aimed at divorcing themselves from their own horrible record with regards to industrial relations. In many ways they are attempting to manipulate a young Bahamian electorate who in many instances would not have remembered the trials and setbacks suffered by the trade union movement under 9 ½ years of FNM Governance.

The recent statement by Mr. Carl Bethel, Chairman of the FNM, is indicative of how the opposition in its desperation has sought to manipulate and exploit the emotions of workers in the hotel industry. This from a party which introduced and passed legislation in the Bahamian parliament that literally served to deflate the tires and break the back of the trade union movement in The Bahamas. The FNM Cabinet did not deem industrial disputes of sufficient national importance to be as involved in their resolution as our present caring PLP Government. In fact, most Bahamians can undoubtedly recall the vivid images of members of the FNM Cabinet being physically attacked by members of the BCPOU, particularly employees of BATELCO due to their blatant disregard for trade unions and disrespect for workers.

The Young Liberals are confident that The Bahamian people are proud to have a labor friendly and progressive Government and Prime Minister. Our Prime Minister by his continued efforts has demonstrated a personal and unwavering commitment to the workers of this country. Prime Minister Christie has given workers the highest national priority in terms of his time and efforts. The Hon. Vincent Peet also deserves special commendation for the excellent service he has given to The Bahamas and workers in particular, as Minister with responsibility for Labor over the past one and half years. It is noteworthy that under the leadership of Prime Minister Christie and Minister Peet the workers of City Markets Ltd. were given the right to unionize. This is a right that these workers had fought to achieve for years under the Free National Movement but due to lack of respect for workers and political will their unionization never became a reality.

This present PLP Government has included members of the trade union movement on many of the commissions appointed. At all levels, trade union leaders have been a major part of the new and refreshing consultative governing process initiated by Prime Minister Christie. In fact, several union leaders were appointed to serve on various statutory boards under this Government. There is no doubt that the PLP and our Government respects the workers of The Bahamas. The PLP Government has undoubtedly proven that it realizes the significant role that workers and the labor movement have to play in the nation building process.

The Free National Movement and its usual band of rejected puppets are the last persons who should be demanding an apology on behalf of workers, when they are yet to apologize for the heartless way that party treated workers and unions during their tenure as the Government of The Bahamas. Arrogance towards workers and the average Bahamian was the hallmark of the FNM Government and continues to be the death knell of their party to this day. The Young Liberals admonish the FNM and its leadership to take the plank out of its own eye before engaging in frivolous, desperate politics.

On behalf of the youth of the nation, the Young Liberals commend the Government for an excellent job in the area of labor relations. We also take this opportunity to wish the nation’s youth, in particular young workers, a very happy and prosperous new year.