1st Tripartite Economic Committee Meeting Held
The Government confirmed that the Tripartite Economic Committee held its first meeting yesterday [Oct 23] in an effort to “address the challenges facing Bermudians and seek solutions aimed at easing their burdens during these tough economic times.”
Premier Craig Cannonier opened the meeting and announced the appointment of the Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy as the Chairman of the Committee.
Other Cabinet Ministers in attendance at the meeting included Minister of Economic Development Dr. Grant Gibbons, and the Minister of Finance Bob Richards.
Bermuda Trade Union Congress [BTUC] representatives included members from the Bermuda Industrial Union, the Bermuda Union of Teachers, the Bermuda Public Services Union, Prison Officers Association and the Bermuda Police Association, while the private sector was represented by the Chamber of Commerce, the Bermuda Employers Council and the Bermuda Hotel Association.
Yesterday’s forum was billed as an “introductory meeting for all parties and the Premier and Ministers listened to the stakeholders’ views on common goals for an effective economic forum.”
In addressing the gathering of Government, employer and union participants Premier Cannonier stressed the critical importance of “shared sacrifice with a view to shared prosperity”.
And at the end of the meeting, the group committed to meeting in the near future and taking the next steps in solidifying the Committee’s purpose and mandate.
Committee chairman, Minister Fahy said today, “One of this Government’s platform promises was the reinstatement of the Tripartite Economic Advisory Committee to enhance communication and the critical working relationship among the Unions, Government and Business.
“Therefore yesterday’s meeting was significant for the Government, not only because of the realization of an initiative agreed as a part of the MOU between Government and the BTUC but also because it represents yet another promise made and a promise kept.
“It is our view that the first step towards addressing economic hardship for all Bermuda is solution oriented engagement. We have a lot of work ahead of us and as a result we have set aside November 14, for a full day of discussions as a part of an Economic Tripartite Retreat that will result in a work plan that will take us through 2015.”
A MOU between the Bermuda Government and the BTUC was signed in July this year, which saw all Government employees agree to take one unpaid and unworked day a month, and also called for the formulation of a Tripartite Economic Committee.
The Government statement in July said the Committee would “hold its first meeting no later than the first week of September 2013,” and the timing of aspects of the MOU was recently noted by BIU President Chris Furbert.
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Why has it taken so long to convene? This should have been convened way back in January.
How often will the Committee meet, and what powers does it have? Or is it just a palliative talking shop?
Jesus calm down. They have been in government 10 months, and within weeks they realized the wells were dry.
They were fire fighting, sorting out a mighty mess, look back to what Bob Richards said in January, there were no economic committees, they had to borrow cash to pay wages.
There’s no silver bullet either, this committee doesn’t cure all ills.
@ Lebron
The Cabinet office (Premier Cannonier) this week confirmed that Premier Cannonier’s comment about emergency loans from Wall Street were wrong. Since he was wrong on such a fundamental issue, how much credibility should be placed on OBA comments about what they found ‘under the hood’.
If you went to get an operation on your left arm and the doctor operated on your right arm, would you go back to him for an operation on your right leg!!! I think you would want more than a second opinion.
I think we need a more accurate ‘look under the hood’.
Ignore Lebron Johnny starling. I suspect the delay stems from the fact that Mike Fahy, the unelected, shot-calling, power broker, leader of the OBA just told Craig that it’s time to convene the meeting. No real Oba insider would deny this…..Fahy….. No wonder he is loved like Brad Pitt by some of the Oba Folk……if you know what I mean. Power brings perks!
Sorry we don’t know what you mean. Please enlighten us, as you clearly must be privy to all of the OBA’s inner working given the statements in your post above.
The Tripartite Committee was agreed as part of the salary negotiations in July. 3 months to convene the first meeting??
Minister Fahy as Chair causes some concern because his track record for genuine consultation is poor.
Given the significance of the Committee, an elected MP, preferably MP Richards should have been chair.
Fahy is the most powerful man in Bermuda.
It baffles me the delay in some of the OBA initiatives. No one is expecting miracles however, for such a financial and economic crisis, they are acting very slow to act.
I also agree with Anthony RIchardson’s column in another media source which highlights the need to encourage more revenues. Why is the discussion solely on cuts and spending under the guise of the SAGE commission? Why doesnt the OBA institute a RAGE (Revenue and Government Earnings Commission)?