| The Tribune

Employers identify dozens of new hires

THE Director of Labour yesterday hailed the success of his department’s latest job fair, with major New Providence employers having identified dozens of potential hires.

Ex-Senator renews call for Bahamian industry ownership

Bahamians must have ownership of key economic sectors "from the top straight through the supply chain", a former FNM Senator is arguing, adding that this would protect the "haemorrhaging" foreign currency reserves.

Air cargo costs to rise ‘tremendously’

Bahamians were yesterday warned that the cost of imported air freight will increase “tremendously” as a result of the new Customs fees and fines set to be imposed on operators from today.

Price Control: Our 2-year plea was fruitless

The Price Control Commission’s chairman yesterday reiterated warnings that it may seek to dictate business prices via legislation, arguing that many had failed to respond to two years’ worth of pleading by himself.

MSC deal to give Bahamian company ‘widest ever smile’

The Bahamian leaseholder of Ocean Cay will have “the biggest smiles ever” as a result of the deal that will see Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) take over the island for its $100 million cruise port.

Cotton Bay developer: ‘Open up’ work permits

Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday said the developers behind the proposed Four Seasons resort project at Cotton Bay had asked the Government to “open up on work permits”, so the development could maintain the brand’s standards.

Union leader calls for Productivity Council

A leading trade unionist has called for the creation of a tripartite National Productivity Council, arguing that the Bahamian education was “designed for students to fail”.

Education reform first step in ‘skills gap’ fight

CURRICULUM reform in the school system should be the first step in tackling this nation’s ‘skills gap’, a veteran educator arguing that the education system must shift to a model that requires all students to meet a certain standard before they can obtain a high school diploma.

LOI controversy firm’s ‘big chance’ to revive project

The company at the centre of the Letter of Intent (LoI) controversy over its proposed $650 million waste-to-energy plant yesterday said PowerSecure International’s selection as BEC manager gives it a “huge opportunity” to revive the project.

Union shows ‘Job’s patience’ with BTC

Executives at the trade union representing the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) line staff yesterday said they had displayed “Job’s patience”, accusing management of stalling negotiations on a new industrial agreement.

FNM deputy queries quality of Baha Mar building materials

The Opposition’s deputy leader yesterday expressed concern over Baha Mar slamming China State Construction, the lead contractor for its $3.5 billion development, and questioned whether there were material quality issues as well.

Baha Mar: No gratuity deal in 10 months

Baha Mar yesterday said it had been forced to cease the normal 15 per cent gratuity payments at the Meliá Nassau Beach Resort, after 10 months of negotiations failed to reach an agreement with the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) on a new arrangement.

Excise Tax snafu stymies start-up's 60 hires plan

A Bahamian-owned tobacco manufacturing start-up said yesterday it would pursue legal action as a “last resort” if it is unable to obtain an Excise Tax exemption on domestic sales, adding that its business model had been thrown “totally out of whack”.

'Internal brain drain'costs Bahamas $3.5bn

The Bahamas is losing nearly $3.5 billion to the “internal brain drain” caused by low worker productivity, a well-known eye doctor yesterday arguing this was having a greater economic impact than the loss of 61 per cent of tertiary-educated Bahamians to jobs abroad.

Christie: Public funds used to buy votes

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party leader Perry Christie yesterday accused the government of using public funds to get votes.

Union: City Markets behind over payroll

Union: City Markets behind over payroll By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net THE union representing City Markets workers has said it would welcome the sale of the struggling food store chain if it meant saving jobs, o

Worker productivity concerns businesses

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net WORKER productivity is a growing concern for employers, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) chairman telling Tribune Business yesterday this was vita

MINISTER ADMITS NEED FOR NATIONAL FISCAL 'REBALANCE'

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net A government minister yesterday acknowledged that the Bahamas needed a fiscal"rebalancing" given its $4.25 billion national debt, with the Ingraham administration trying to nurture

NIB 1% RATE IS RISE PROPOSED

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor and NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net A recommendation to increase the National Insurance Board (NIB) contribution rate by one percentage point to 10.8 per cent has been lodged

Minister admits need for national fiscal 'rebalance'