BCIAWU President: “Prime Minister, Fire the Minister of Immigration”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Bahamas Customs Immigration and Allied Workers Union (BCIAWU) is not happy due to outstanding customs and immigration promotions, insurance concerns, and even outstanding overtime.

They say the immigration promotion last July, touted by government as the largest ever was equally flawed.

Deron Brooks – President, BCIAWU

“Many officers were left without a promotion or super seated without explanation to date allotted from as far back is 2021. Don’t know why they didn’t get promoted and I’ve not received any kind of communication from public service or immigration.”

He adds that customs also has a long list of officers waiting.

Deron Brooks – President, BCIAWU

“The promotion exercise and customs department does not reflect the ranked structure. A number of persons, dozens, hundreds are awaiting promotions.”

The union claims in April 2023, insurance coverage for new hires was unilaterally changed with effect from July 2023 so dependents would only be covered at the employee’s expense.

Then there’s the issue of outstanding overtime payment and per diem, according to Brooks.

Deron Brooks – President, BCIAWU

“Immigration officers are owed overtime from July 2025…customer officers are owed overtime from October 2025 to present date. Why we have an industrial agreement that says when you work you should be paid the following month.”

There are pages of emails sent to Minister of Immigration & National Insurance, Alfred Sears, requesting meetings and updates, but nothing.

Deron Brooks – President, BCIAWU

“The TUC representative has contacted his National Insurance Board Office and his immigration office separate apart from what the secretary has been doing, so you could see the secretary wrote and the TUC tried to make contact with him. He’s never responded to either of them.”