For Gibson to cite the level of severance pay in Jamaica and Barbados as one of the reasons why we should increase ours is very telling. Hasn't he looked at the state of the economy of those two countries? Their economies are a complete mess and have been for some time. They are far from role models. In fact we should do just the opposite. Does he want what happened in those countries to happen here? I am sure he doesn't, but the fact is he has no clue what he is doing. He just don't know what he don't know, which is dangerous for someone with some influence in such matters. The PM should not let this man be involved with any legislation that will have such an impact on the economy. Let him do what he does best, which is, honestly I don't know

What incentive is there for a business to keep employees hired for a long term? To avoid having to some day pay out exorbitant severance pay, just an employee go after exactly one year of employment and pay any outstanding vacation and severance. If need be rehire them shortly thereafter. That why a business effectively mitigates the ill effects of the new amendments, at least to a degree. By all means, fire all those employees who have been working for more than 12 years prior to this law coming into effect. Again if need be rehire them. That way they would not get credit for the years they worked beyond the 12 they are currently entitled to receive severance for. This may seem harsh to some but a business must do what it takes to survive in order to keep people employed. Business must also find ways to automate and streamline to keep to a bare minimum the number of employees they have employed. I guess the politicians haven't heard of the law of unintended consequences!!

The people are totally fed up with the PM and his crew. Keep the protest peacefully, which I have no doubt it will be. More power to We March!!! Keep their feet to fire. They deserve it for the god awful job they have done over the past 5 years.

I must give the PLP one thing, they know how to appeal to their base. All they have to do is play the race card. That trumps all the evil they do. This is evident in the remarks from the reverend above. The PLP can wreck to economy, let's crime escalate out of control, overlook corruption to the highest levels in government, pay lip service to the plight of the very people that elected them and I could go on and on. But all is forgiven when they start spewing that nonsense about the Bay Street Boys, racism, slavery, and the like and all is forgiven. If they are reelected then they will get the government they deserve. I just hope that, speaking as a Bahamian that worked very hard to get what little I have, the PLP does not cause a devaluation in our currency and allow the debt to rise to unmanagible levels, which of course would be an unmitigated disaster. The scary thing is this is almost inevitable if they are reelected. Lord inspire our people to kick them out!!!

D'Agular is right, what incentive is there to hire? They are only incentivizing businesses to improve and automate operations to maintain or reduce staffing levels. Additionally businesses will be less likely to keep employees employed for longer periods. Employees can forget pay increases in the foreseeable future, especially in the low margin industries such as retail and construction. Adding this tax will further the gap between legitimate business and those businesses that don't pay all the NIB, business license, severance pay, and soon to be NIH they are supposed to. This is a huge problem in construction. This law will make it difficult for legitimate business to compete due to the costs of doing business including the additional overhead required. It is clear that those who proposed this bill have no idea about how business works or cares for that matter, and are being influenced heavily by the unions and probably for political reasons.

I have one suggestion for all small businesses. Especially for those businesses that have employees working for them for more than 12 year. Let them go before this act turns into law. That way you only have to pay severance on the 12 years and not the years served after that. Then rehire them if need be as new employees so that their date of employment starts anew. For example if an employee has been working for 20 years, you would have to pay them 12 year severance. If you wait until after the act is passed into law you would owe that employee 20 years of severance. This is probably also a good idea no matter how long they have been employed as you would have to pay them for those years no matter how long they worked for you at the then pay rate. This may not seem fair to some, but it may mean the difference between staying in business and going out of business.

Entertainers and opportunist, aka Bahamian political leaders, can't run a dump, much less the a country!! Get rid of these people please, my fellow Bahamians!!

This man PGC, don't know his a$# from his elbow. He has got to go!! Such incompetence at such a high level is downright scary. We as Bahamians got to stop electing entertainers and opportunist and calling them politicians and leaders after they are elected and put in power. Just look at the cabinet. Who in here there is deserving of the title of CM? I am struggling to think of one. These people are playing with children's future.

What a joke that Fitzgerald would speak of wrecking the country. He wrecked his company RND which is practically worthless. Words from such a terrible businessman is meaningless!!

Sebas, a true Bahamian success story, from criminal to businessman!!