标签： Bahamas

The Bahamas government is intensifying efforts to finalize draft legislation aimed at addressing the escalating tensions between landlords and tenants, as soaring rents and mounting complaints from both parties continue to strain the housing market. Housing Minister Keith Bell revealed that the proposed reforms seek to strike a delicate balance between protecting tenants’ rights and ensuring landlords’ interests are safeguarded. Speaking to reporters, Bell highlighted the growing concerns over sudden rent hikes, electricity disconnections, and tenants refusing to pay rent or denying landlords access to their properties. He also emphasized the government’s worry about individuals living in unsafe or uninhabitable conditions, which could further burden the Department of Social Services if left unaddressed. Bell stressed the need for landlords to maintain habitable premises while ensuring tenants fulfill their obligations. The push for reform comes as housing affordability becomes a pressing issue, with families increasingly squeezed by high rental costs and stagnant wages. A recent IMF report revealed that rents in The Bahamas surged by 14% between 2012 and 2022, while average wages grew by a mere 2%, disproportionately affecting low-income households. The government’s review of the Rent Control Act aims to modernize the law and address enforcement gaps that have left both landlords and tenants frustrated. Bell also addressed the rise in homeowners converting properties into Airbnbs, noting that the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Inland Revenue are closely studying the issue due to mounting complaints about covenant breaches in residential communities. He assured that the draft legislation is being meticulously scrutinized to ensure enforceability, with magistrates involved in the process. Despite delays, Bell expressed confidence that the final product will be fair to all parties. Additionally, he shared updates on the government’s compulsory land acquisition program, revealing that properties have already been acquired in Englerston, Bain and Grants Town, and Freetown, with plans to take over approximately ten more lots on Charles Vincent Street. These properties are intended for affordable housing initiatives, with some owners expressing interest in partnering with the government to rehabilitate their properties.

A comprehensive salary review commissioned by the Bahamian government has uncovered alarming disparities in public sector earnings, with middle managers and technical officers struggling to keep pace with rising living costs. The May 2025 Salary Review for Middle Management and Technical Officers, conducted by consulting firm DCB Holding Ltd for the Ministry of Finance, analyzed 85 priority roles across various public service departments, including senior administrators, law enforcement officers, customs and immigration personnel, and finance and audit staff. The report highlights a concerning trend of ‘wealth destruction,’ as inflation and stagnant wages erode employees’ purchasing power. Over the past few years, real earnings for public officers have declined by 5 to 16 percent, with top management staff losing up to 15 percent of their income. Police and Defence Force officers saw reductions of 5 to 14 percent, while customs, immigration, and correctional officers experienced the steepest declines of up to 16 percent. The study also revealed systemic issues within the government’s pay structure, including compressed salary ranges and ‘negative progression,’ where promotions yield minimal financial benefits. Nearly one in three police officers and 22 percent of executive personnel were found to be earning below the minimum threshold for their ranks. The consultants recommended aligning future pay reviews with key economic indicators such as GDP growth, inflation, and the Consumer Price Index to restore balance and safeguard workers’ purchasing power. Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis has pledged to extend the review’s methodology to the broader public service, though the timeline for implementation remains unclear.

A significant wave of industrial action swept through The Bahamas yesterday as over a thousand public school teachers failed to report to work, leading to the early closure of six schools. The mass absenteeism, orchestrated by Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson, was part of a broader protest against the government’s handling of pay adjustments. According to Education Director Dominique McCartney-Russell, 1,135 out of 3,186 public school teachers were absent, with the majority concentrated in New Providence. The government has privately warned that participants in the protest could face salary deductions and disciplinary measures. Meanwhile, Labour and Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle reported no widespread absenteeism among other public servants, despite calls for action from Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) President Kimsely Ferguson. The protest culminated in a march to Parliament, where demonstrators, including teachers, janitors, and social workers, voiced their frustrations over stagnant wages, poor working conditions, and lack of promotions. Among the protesters, janitress Geraldine Strachan shared her struggles with mounting bills and medical needs, while teacher aide Sharon McKenzie highlighted the emotional toll on educators. In Grand Bahama, social worker Taronya lamented her 12-year career without a promotion, citing systemic barriers to upward mobility. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis faced criticism for his handling of the dispute, particularly after canceling a scheduled meeting with union leaders. In a national address, Davis accused some union leaders of “grandstanding and public drama,” while defending the government’s phased pay adjustment plan, which excludes certain categories of workers. The plan, aimed at closing the pay gap between public service and the wider sector, includes base pay increases of 8 to 31 percent over four years. However, union leaders argue that the plan prioritizes middle management over frontline workers, leaving many in precarious financial situations. The protest underscores deepening tensions between the government and public servants, with union leaders vowing to continue their fight for fair treatment and equitable pay.

In a heart-wrenching revelation, 18-year-old Emmanuela Polidor shared the devastating details surrounding her mother’s suicide on October 9. Ketlyne Ferdinand, 34, took her own life in an outdoor shed at a Rasta Camp off Fire Trail Road, leaving behind a note that deeply shattered her daughter. Emmanuela recounted how her mother had handed her a purse containing the note, a moment that left her emotionally unprepared for the sudden loss. ‘Nobody could be mentally ready for something like this, especially when it’s someone so close to you,’ she expressed.

The day before her mother’s death, Emmanuela visited her and sensed her sadness, describing her as ‘down’ during their final hug. Ketlyne, a long-time member of the Rastafarian community, had been described by leader Priest Richmond McKinney as ‘unstable’ in recent years following a trip to Haiti. However, Emmanuela dismissed this claim, insisting her mother was a cheerful and caring person who did not suffer from mental illness, though she occasionally seemed sad.

On the morning of the tragedy, Emmanuela planned to visit her mother but noticed her father acting strangely. Moments later, she received a message offering condolences, which confirmed her worst fears. Overwhelmed with grief, she rushed to her mother’s home, only to be met with the sight of yellow caution tape—a haunting reminder of the loss.

Emmanuela, now working as a beautician like her mother, reflected on their bond, particularly the times they spent together while her mother fixed her locs. At just 18, she never imagined she would be planning her mother’s funeral. This tragic experience has underscored the importance of seeking emotional support during difficult times, a lesson she hopes others will take to heart.