Bahamian public service unions have launched scathing criticism against the Davis administration’s implementation of salary adjustments for certain government workers, with multiple union presidents characterizing the increases as inadequate ‘crumbs’ and expressing frustration over inconsistent distribution.
Kimsley Ferguson, President of the Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU), reported being inundated with calls from disappointed employees across multiple sectors including law enforcement, support staff, and financial personnel. ‘I am trying to wrap my head around what the government is doing,’ Ferguson stated, capturing the widespread confusion among civil servants.
The compensation initiative, intended to provide at least two increments retroactive to September with amounts varying by employment category, follows October protests regarding delayed increases and unclear implementation guidelines. Government officials previously characterized the adjustments as part of a broader effort to narrow compensation gaps between public service roles and the wider public sector, citing base-pay gains of 8 to 31 percent over a four-year period.
However, union leaders revealed significant discrepancies in the rollout. Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson dismissed the increases—ranging from $150 to $341—as insignificant ‘crumbs’ and urged educators to prepare for potential industrial action. Similarly, Bahamas Customs Immigration and Allied Workers Union President Deron Brooks confirmed that only some members received payments, noting the lack of transparent criteria for eligibility.
The administration faced additional criticism for its communication failures. Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis declined to comment, while Labour Minister Pia Glover Rolle did not respond to repeated requests for clarification. Brooks detailed his unsuccessful attempts to obtain information through official channels, being referred between human resources, accounts, and Treasury departments without receiving definitive answers.
Wilson highlighted particular frustration among teachers who learned that other civil servants received substantially larger payments—up to $3,000 or more—with similar retroactive effective dates. She emphasized the need for transparency in calculating the amounts and announced a union survey to gauge membership willingness for industrial action or strike measures.
Ferguson further accused the government of favoring permanent secretaries and senior servants over lower-level public employees, contradicting the administration’s stated goal of equitable compensation reform. The union leaders collectively expressed uncertainty about whether the payment exercise had been completed, as many workers reported receiving nothing despite government assurances.