The government has threatened to deduct the pay of any civil servant taking part in today’s planned march on parliament.
Public Service Union leaders last night released a letter to The Tribune from a government department instructing the management of public service offices to deduct the pay of anyone attending the demonstration.
The letter, issued and signed by Department of Public Service permanent secretary Irene Stubbs, read, “It has been brought to the attention of this department that a number of unions will be participating in a demonstration on Bay Street tomorrow, October 5, 2005.
“You are requested to inform your staff that anyone who goes off the job without official leave to join a demonstration will be subject to deduction of pay and disciplinary action for withdrawing their labour.”
Fred Mitchell, the minister responsible for the public service, was not available for comment last night.
Labour Minister Vincent Peet said he was not aware of such a directive, but said he could not comment further as the department does not fall under his portfolio.
Government, however, will continue to negotiate in good faith with the labour movement regardless of growing dissent and industrial action in the country, said Mr Peet.
His comments came on the eve of the reopening of the House of Assembly when the Bahamas Public Service Union has vowed to march in front of Rawson Square to convey their displeasure to MPs entering the House.
Asked if government is concerned about the planned protest and the perception that the PLP is a not a labour-friendly government, Mr Peet said the public would have to draw its own conclusions.
However, he pointed out that since the party became the government and he was appointed labour minister in 2002, 47 industrial agreements had been executed.
“Does that sound like an antiworker government?” he asked. Mr Peet acknowledged there had been an increase in labour disputes in recent months, but said that came as a result of different personalities working together, which in some cases caused what should be small matters to turn into major issues.
He said the Bahamas is a democratic country which allows all its citizens the right to express themselves as long as they do so in a peaceful manner.
By CARA BRENNEN, Tribune Staff Reporter
