“If Ya Can’t Get Our Money, Ring The Bell!”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The heart of the country’s busiest tourist district erupted into chaos this morning as fed-up leaders and members of the Bahamas National Alliance of Trade Union Congress marched and protested outside the Parliament.

Those protestors clashed with police, and at one point, they sat in the road, blocking traffic for more than an hour.

The Rawson Square takeover was sparked by delayed payments and salary increases promised for public servants. Their actions drew a swift response from the Prime Minister, who addressed the fired-up crowd.

Months of frustration for hundreds of public servants boiled over this morning. 

As the House of Assembly returned from its summer recess, scores of union members marched from southern recreation grounds to Bay Street, led by Bahamas National Alliance of Trade Union Congress President, Belinda Wilson, and First Vice President, Kimsley Ferguson.

The group protesting over delayed salary payments promised to them by the Davis administration.

During the budget debate in June, Prime Minister Philip Davis announced public servants, across all levels, will receive pay raises this year, but there’ve been delays; the latest pay bump won’t come until December. 

Belinda Wilson – President, BNATUC
“We’ve been meeting  him, he’s been making promises, he’s been giving instructions no results.”

Kimsley Ferguson – First Vice President, BNATUC
“We want to say, have some integrity.”

As they made their way downtown, they clashed with police officers who put up barricades in Rawson Square to keep protestors from gaining access to the House of Assembly.

Eventually, Wilson and Ferguson tried to go inside the HOA, requesting to see the Prime Minister, but they were blocked at the door by senior officers.

The pair was eventually granted permission to enter.

Belinda Wilson – President, BNATUC
“y’all know y’all have all sorts of criminals, all kinds a shooting and killing, all these police out here for two lil union leaders “

While union leaders were inside, the crowd did not budge.

Protestor
“y’all giving all the big time people dey money dey den driving da government car free fuel they get free stipend everything what up for the bahamian people .”

Protestor
“da middle management who already have money way back pay to 2024 and then want to pay us chicken feed y’all out of order.”

The Prime Minister eventually came out to address the protestors.

Philip Davis – Prime Minister
“The decision to give y’all to give some money came from my heart because I understood that it was nothing negotiated, I thought I’m tryna help all of you. y’all will be paid and it will be before Christmas.”