From Bahamas Information Services 

Hon. Shane Gibson Remarks on IDB Citizen Security Loan
Jan 28, 2016 – 6:51:02 PM

Nassau, Bahamas – Remarks by Hon. D. Shane Gibson, M.P., J.P., Minister of Labour and National Insurance & The Public Service House of Assembly Resolution on Inter-American Development Bank Citizen Security Loan given on Wednesday, January 27, 2016:

Mr. Speaker,

I am again pleased to stand on behalf of the good people of the Golden Gates Constituency to speak on this resolution, which will lead to a decrease in unemployment.

Over the years, the Government of the Bahamas and the Inter-American Development Bank have worked together on a number of projects that have improved the standard of living and quality of life of thousands of Bahamians. Mr. Speaker, this resolution to borrow 20 million dollars from the IDB for the Inter-American Development Bank Citizen Security and Justice Programme, will help to:

• Lead to a reduction in Crime and Violence in The Bahamas.

• Promote non-violent conflict resolution in New Providence

• Increase employability and the employment of at-risk youth

• Strengthen institutional capabilities of justice services

• And reduce the recidivism rate among inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

While the bulk of this loan facility is earmarked for the Ministry of National Security, 20% will be disbursed to the Ministry of Labour & National Insurance and the Department of Labour. This amounts to Four Million and Eighty Thousand Dollars ($4,080,000.00). These funds, Mr. Speaker, will be used for a special training program that targets at-risk youth between the ages of 15 and 29 in New Providence.

It will be piloted by the Department of Labour in conjunction with the National Training Agency, the Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute, the Inter-American Development Bank and a number of Non-Governmental Agencies. Key features include:

• The development of soft skills, such as responsibility, teamwork, persistence, and self-control

• Community development projects and programs intended to bolster basic skills like literacy and numeracy, as well as;

• Comprehensive job training

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Bahamas is committed to reducing the level of unemployment in the country, particularly among young Bahamians. The recent Labour Force Survey conducted by the Department of Statistics revealed that unemployment among young people is over 30%. This program will help to reduce that number:

The Department of Labour, with the help of several non-government agencies, will identify 1,000 people between the ages of 15 and 27, who will be enrolled in an apprenticeship program hosted by the National Training Agency. Once participants have acquired new skills, they will have the opportunity to work at local businesses engaged by the Department of Labour and the National Tripartite Council.

Secondly, the Department of Labour in conjunction with the National Training Agency and the Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute will identify an additional 1600 young people, who will participate in a comprehensive training program with special emphasis on the Hospitality and Retail sectors.

This will help to better prepare them for an increasingly competitive job market. Finally, Mr. Speaker, the loan facility will enable the Department of Labour to enhance the Public Employment Services Unit through:

• Upgrades to the Unit’s IT network

• Staff training

• Upgrades to the One Stop Shop located on Robinson Road and the Department’s Head Office;

• And the establishment of One Stop Shops in the new Sub Offices of the Department of Labour on Carmichael Road in March 2016 and on Bernard Road in December 2016.

These initiatives, Mr. Speaker, are the result of a decision taken by the Government to make the services of the Department of Labour more accessible to residents of New Providence. Similar sub offices are expected to be opened in Eight Mile Rock in January 2017 and in Bimini in June 2016. The public can expect enhanced service thanks to an aggressive training program implemented by the Labour Department’s Senior Management Team.

Since 2010, the IDB has collaborated with the Ministry of Labour & National Insurance in several areas including:

• The Bahamas Labour Market Study in 2012 and 2014

• Study Tour of Riviera Maya, Mexico in conjunction with the Department of Labour and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation

• Study Tour of Korea in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour & National Insurance and the Department of Labour

• Training of Officers from the Labour Department in Public Employment Services and the One Stop Shop concept.

• A Seminar and workshop on youth employment and the establishment of a national skills bank.

It is against this backdrop Mr. Speaker that I fully support this resolution. I wish to commend the hard working staff of the Ministry of Labour & National Insurance, the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of National Security for their stellar work. These dedicated and hardworking public officers have demonstrated unique skills. With the support of the officers of the IDB, this resolution will pave the way for a new era in the delivery of Public Employment Services in the Bahamas.