National

MOWFIA Workers Protest Over Transfer, Pension, and Promotions

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Grounds and Beautification workers protested over transfers, promotions, pensions and poor communication, while Minister Clay Sweeting assured them promotions were before Cabinet.

Published

2 months ago

June 30, 2026

Joshua Williams

NASSAU , BAHAMAS –

Denver Hanna – Senior Superintendent, Ministry Of Works And Family Island Affairs
“We are worse off than Lazarus getting the crumbs. We ain’t even getting the crumbs.”

An upcoming transfer to the Ministry of Environment and National Resources is prompting frustrations to boil over at the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs, and workers in the Grounds and Beautification Unit are not pleased.

Those workers gathered in the parking lot of the Ministry of Works on Tuesday morning.

The President of the Bahamas Public Services Union, Kimsley Ferguson, says not only is the situation unfair, but other outstanding matters also need to be addressed.

Kimsley Ferguson – President, Bahamas Public Services Union
“There should be no one here that is not permanent and pensionable unless it was some unforeseen reason that would rest on the individuals as to why they cannot be regularized.”

The unit, which consists of nearly 500 workers, was told by management they would be transferred on Monday, July 6, but says communication has been poor.

Several of them were passionate about their concerns.

Alunzo Fox – Worker, Ministry Of Works And Family Island Affairs
“Finance has already budgeted for this, and it’s only a matter of allocation. Nothing still happened for nobody yet.”

Arlene Knowles – Worker, Ministry Of Works And Family Island Affairs
“I only get $1,600. That ain’t no money. When I pay the bank, only four-something is left.”

Worker – Ministry Of Works And Family Island Affairs
“We need to go somewhere. We need to get what is due to us. Please help us. Please help us. Thank you.”

But the workers were in for a surprise, as Minister Clay Sweeting came downstairs to tell them the names set for promotion were actually on the Cabinet agenda that day.

Clay Sweeting – Minister, Works And Family Island Affairs
“To fix all of your issues today. I understand there are some irregularities from one ministry to the other, and there are some loopholes. We are going to close all of those loopholes today.”