Minister Of Labour And Minister Of The Public Service Is A Major Conflict

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Trade unionists are calling out Labour and Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle, arguing that she should not be allowed to oversee both portfolios, as they believe the roles directly contradict each other.

Trade Union Congress President, Obie Ferguson, is the latest union leader to express this concern. According to Ferguson, by law, the two ministries cannot be held by the same individual, calling the situation a “major conflict.” He explained why he believes the current arrangement is untenable.

Obie Ferguson – President, Trade Union Congress
“The Minister of Public Service is the employer for 20,000 workers, but how could the Minister issue a certificate for a strike vote against herself?”

Ferguson stressed that Glover-Rolle cannot serve as judge, jury, and executioner all in one.

Glover-Rolle was appointed Minister of Labour and the Public Service during a Cabinet shuffle in September 2023. She was previously the State Minister for the Public Service before assuming her current dual role.

The TUC Chief underscored that, in her current position, Glover-Rolle acts as the employer for the country’s public servants while simultaneously being responsible for approving strike certificates, something he says presents a clear legal and ethical dilemma.

Obie Ferguson – President, Trade Union Congress
“There are laws. We must learn to follow the laws. Doesn’t matter who you are. If you want a country, because when you leave office, whether voluntarily or otherwise, somebody will take it over. And when they take it over, shouldn’t the law be applied to everybody? She cannot in law issue a certificate against herself and then go to court to get an injunction to stop workers.”

Bahamas Public Services Union President, Kimsley Ferguson, is also voicing similar concerns. He argues that Glover-Rolle is frequently in conflict with herself in her dual roles.

The criticism comes amid ongoing frustration from finance officers who are still awaiting a salary review from the Ministry of Finance.

Kimsley Ferguson – President, Bahamas Public Services Union
“I am calling her out today to align herself properly and either be the Minister of Labour or be the Minister of the Public Service, whichever one she is capable of doing, because both positions are conflicting. You cannot be the person that I am coming to for justice, because now I need justice. The behavior of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service is contrary to what the Code of Practice is.”

As tensions continue to rise, union leaders are urging the government to resolve what they see as a fundamental flaw in governance that could undermine workers’ rights.