Sharon Martin
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Nassau, The Bahamas - 1st July 2021 marked the new three (3) year Statutory Period for The National Tripartite Council. The Council is the National Social Dialogue Institution of The Bahamas with the responsibility of being a forum for Labour and Industrial Relations in The Bahamas. The NTC is the only statutory entity where members are appointed by their respective Social Partners and have equal representation. Since its establishment in 2015 the NTC is statutorily mandated to facilitate the principles enshrined in the ILO Convention 144 regarding Tripartite Consultation on International Labour Standards and to undertake to operate procedures which ensure effective consultations, with respect to the matters concerning the activities of the International Labour Organization between representatives of the Government, Employers and Workers.
The NTC’s new Chairman is Ms. Sharon Martin who was elected to this prestigious position on 5th August 2021. Ms. Martin, President of the Women’s Association of the National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas and former Secretary of the Council has been elected by the Council Members to lead the Council for the 2021-2024 statutory period and will hold the seat for Labour as mandated by the National Tripartite Council Act 2015 for the next three (3) years. This election is monumental as for the first time during its six (6) year existence a woman will lead the organization. An outstanding female leader, Ms. Martin is no stranger to setting precedent, as she was the first female to lead a Union (the Union of Public Officers) at the National Insurance Board in its forty (40) year history. Additionally, she represented the Workers of The Bahamas this past June 2021 when The Bahamas was invited for the first time to sit as a Tripartite Observer Delegate on the International Labour Organization’s Governing Body (the Executive Body of the ILO). Ms. Martin is also the International Labour Organization’s focal point for the 2nd Generation Bahamas Decent Work Country Program.
Government’s Representatives
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Officers elected to serve along with Ms. Martin are A. Robert Farquharson, Executive Manager/MOL and NTC’s Chief Operating Officer (Vice-Chairman), Ricardo Deveaux, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education (Secretary), Rionda Godet, Employers’ Representative and Founding Partner Deleveaux Godet & Co. (Treasurer). Government Representatives: Patrenda Russell-Brice, Acting Director of Labour and Quinton LaRoda, the Ministry of Education (Grand Bahama). Employers’ Representatives: Peter Goudie, CEO PGHR Consulting Limited & Director The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Federation (BCCEC), Malvese Capron, Human Resources Director Hutchison Ports Bahamas (Grand Bahama) and Joan Dilworth, Attorney at Law Unwala & Co. Labour Representatives: Sherry Benjamin, President BCPOU & 3rd Vice-President NCTUB, Tyrone ‘Rock’ Morris, Secretary General CBTUC and Frederick Munnings, Entertainer and Director of Communication CBTUC.
Even as it sets new strategic targets for the next three (3) years the NTC Executives are expected to maintain the same aggressive pace as previous periods. Additionally, they will maintain their focus on several initiatives started during the tenure of former Chairman Anthony Robert Farquharson from the 2018 – 2021 period. These include the launching of the 2nd Generation Bahamas Decent Work Country Program, the introduction of the National Child Labour Policy, the establishment of a National Productivity Council, the ratification of ILO Conventions C190 Eliminating Violence & Harassment in the Workplace and C159 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) and the transformation of The Bahamas Industrial Tribunal.
Workers’ Representatives
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Following the historic election of Ms. Martin, President of the National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas (NCTUB) Bernard Evans in adding his congratulations to the newly seated Council said that he is very pleased that Labour has the Chair. He expressed his confidence in the way forward for labour relations as he noted “There has been some rocky paths crossed by many labour leaders in recent times; however, the NCTUB is committed to our role to advance social justice and promote decent work. We are keenly aware that Ms. Martin shares that same vision.”
Obie Ferguson, President of the Trade Unions of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas (CBTUC) offered his congratulations by sharing, “Ms. Martin is an example for younger women to now see a woman of stature that is just not there because she is a woman but because she is competent. I am happy that she is in that seat, she has my full support.”
In response, Ms. Martin said: “When I received the support call from Khrystle Rutherford-Ferguson, Chairman of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, I told her that I have big shoes to fill. Nevertheless, I am extremely excited, honored and privileged to be elected by this vanguard, these are some of the brightest minds in this country. These are challenging times in our Nation; however, my Executive Team and I have the full support of our Leaders and we will be successful in executing our duty for our country. Labour is the country’s richest asset, it’s time that we stop putting the workers as one-liners in our conversations.”
Employers’ Representatives
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