IOM: Situation In Haiti Is ‘Dire’

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The situation in Haiti is ‘dire’ according to the International Organization for Migration (ILO).

In an interview with the United Nations, the IOM’s chief of the mission to Haiti said thousands of Haitian nationals have been repatriated since September 19th, and even more are scheduled to return to Haiti.

The Deputy Prime Minister made the comments moments after he wrapped up a tour of the $250 million Sterling Hurricane hole project on Paradise Island.

On Thursday, Minister Of Labour And Immigration Keith Bell told reporters that Atlantis would be postponing the policy which would require unvaccinated employees to pay for their own weekly COVID tests at a discounted rate.

The policy, which was scheduled to take effect today, did not sit well with The Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU).

Several businesses in the country have also mandated that staff pay for their own COVID tests. Cooper said while this remains an issue between employee and employer, the situation has sparked concern.

Atlantis began its phased reopening on December 10 with the Royal Towers and Harbourside Marina after being closed for nearly 10 months due to COVID-19.