Minister Michael Fahy’s Labour Day Speech
”Despite what many think, that unions and Government and employer groups are always at odds, there are in fact a plethora of success stories resulting from our successful collaboration,” Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said before today’s [Sept 1] Labour Day march.
Speaking to the crowds gathered on Union Square, Minister Fahy said, “On this auspicious occasion, as we salute each and every worker for their contribution to Bermuda and recognize the crucial role that our unions play in advocating for the rights of workers, I would like for us to truly reflect on this year’s theme, “Solidarity for Equality, Jobs and Justice”.
“To me, this year’s Labour Day message is about one simple yet crucial concept – one to which I fully subscribe – collaboration. Collaboration is about us all coming together for a greater good.
“This Government recognizes that Labour has played a huge part in driving our economy as we seek to re-engage all Bermudians in the workforce so that we can all contribute to Bermuda’s future.
“We all want the same thing – the Public Sector, the Private Sector, the Unions and, ultimately, the People and that is embracing the diversity of Bermuda’s Workforce and Transcending all cultural barriers to unite the entire community.
“Since last Labour Day this Government has put in place many initiatives to assist the Bermudian worker – many of which I am pleased to say involved collaboration between Unions, Government and the Private Sector and demonstrate this concept of collaboration.”
The Minister gave a number of examples including the National Training Plan, Labour Law Reform Committee, Economic Tri-Partite Committee, stronger powers extended to the Chief Immigration Officer inherited stronger powers to levy civil penalties to employers who violate immigration laws, and more.
He also confirmed that discussions are on-going to extend the 10% grocery reduction initiative, and said that ”despite what many think – that unions and Government and employer groups are always at odds – there are in fact a plethora of success stories resulting from our successful collaboration.”
“It has been my genuine pleasure to share in this Labour Day tradition with you. It is my sincere hope that we can build Bermuda together,” said the Minister. “Bermuda works best when we work together.”
The Minister’s full speech follows below:
Ladies and Gentleman,
I am pleased to extend best wishes to you all on Labour Day.
On this auspicious occasion, as we salute each and every worker for their contribution to Bermuda and recognize the crucial role that our unions play in advocating for the rights of workers, I would like for us to truly reflect on this year’s theme, “Solidarity for Equality, Jobs and Justice”.
To me, this year’s Labour Day message is about one simple yet crucial concept – one to which I fully subscribe – collaboration. Collaboration is about us all coming together for a greater good.
In the words of Henry Ford, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”This Government recognizes that Labour has played a huge part in driving our economy as we seek to re-engage all Bermudians in the workforce so that we can all contribute to Bermuda’s future.
We all want the same thing – the Public Sector, the Private Sector, the Unions and, ultimately, the People and that is embracing the diversity of Bermuda’s Workforce and Transcending all cultural barriers to unite the entire community.
Since last Labour Day this Government has put in place many initiatives to assist the Bermudian worker – many of which I am pleased to say involved collaboration between Unions, Government and the Private Sector and demonstrate this concept of collaboration.
This year, for example, we proudly unveiled Part 1 of the National Training Plan – a document which shows sector by sector where jobs exist now, where they will exist in the future, and how we can prepare our people for these jobs. This Plan, whilst led by Government, has been created based on input from all sectors.
In October of last year I announced the members of the Labour Law Reform Committee, representing unions, business and Government, and tasked them with reviewing Bermuda’s labour laws with a view to the consolidating and modernizing our legislation.
Along that same vein, I can advise that Economic Tri-Partite Committee meetings have taken place regularly this year. At the February meeting I requested that the committee submit recommendations on how to stimulate the economy and generate revenue for Bermuda. Those recommendations are now under consideration by the Government.
I can also confirm that discussions are on-going to extend the 10% grocery reduction initiative.
In addition as of April 1st the Chief Immigration Officer inherited stronger powers to levy civil penalties of $5,000 to $10,000 against those employers who knowingly hire unauthorised workers without a work permit and against those workers who are performing duties outside of conditions prescribed by their work permit. Criminal penalties for offenses under the Act have doubled.
Government has also created The Bermuda Job Board – a national employment database operated by the Department of Workforce Development. The Bermuda Job Board is an online platform available to Bermudians seeking employment opportunities with the main objective of consolidating and centralizing jobs available in the Bermuda market.
Linked to this, in July of this year the Department of Workforce Development and Bermuda Cablevision announced Channel 87 – a station dedicated to showcasing Job Board.
So, despite what many think – that unions and Government and employer groups are always at odds – there are in fact a plethora of success stories resulting from our successful collaboration.
We do speak regularly. We are able to pick up phone and talk.
And I want to encourage us to continue to have open and frank discussions to seek collaborative ways to improve the economy and grow jobs for Bermudians.
Our differences in opinion can actually make us stronger and should not stand in the way of open dialogue.
To each of you here today, it has been my genuine pleasure to share in this Labour Day tradition with you. It is my sincere hope that we can build Bermuda together.
Bermuda works best when we work together.
Thank You.
-
Read More About
Comments (18)
Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed
Articles that link to this one:
- Photos: 2014 Labour Day March, Gathering | Bernews.com | September 1, 2014
What Fayhe failed to realize is this … He has lost peoples trust , therefore , his speech was tuned out by the workers . He didn’t connect , as a matter of fact the sooner he left the mic , the better .
You could well be speaking of exactly what happened with the last election. Bermuda lost trust with the pro-labour government and the sooner they left the better. The unions need to be careful in that they too are losing Bermuda’s trust and will be tuned out. Senator Fahy has been put in the unenviable position of trying to find common ground with a group of people who are being constantly swayed emotionally and financially by a political party only interested in using union members to get their party back into power. If everyone believes the union leaders are allowing their members to be used in that manner then there will be little trust given to them. Even by the union members themselves.
Bermuda can only work if we choose to work together.
The impression that’s made is that no matter what the OBA representatives say, the PLP supporters will ignore/tune out/spin. Not a good thing.
Thank you Min. Fahy, for a great speech outlining in a civil way, all the good things that the government is doing to better assist the workers that find themselves in a financial hole because of the past plp governments incompetence!!!
What a huge difference from the opposition ( plp) leaders speech that was nothing but combative, using such words as, deceived, fed up and not going to take it anymore??? All a bunch of nonsense and empty promises was given by him, which is no different that what they kept promising for their entire 14 yr reign of terror and delivering nothing???? The plp in their entire time of terror managed to lose over $800 million of our money??? Form businesses that mysteriously got awarded huge$$$ contracts to build things such as mega schools ( Berkley ) with absolutely no experience in even building a dog house let alone a massive project like that??? The only persons that saw any money out of that was them, all the tax payers and workers got was, THE HOSE??? In fact to this day many, many construction workers, worked countless hours for NOTHING??? Yup, that’s what the plp will do to all of us again if ever re elected!!!
As de Native American Indians put it, “You speak with Fork Tongue”
is Minister Fahy the only oba minister available,..an appointed at that! where are all the comments from oba supporters….crickets,…… whistling frogs…..hmmmmhmmmhmprobably over there criticing the oppostitions speech..hahhaha
What a load of waffle !!
Famous last words
Taxes oil the soloist wheel.
Hand outs are great until the money runs out.
There are to many public holidays.
We need to work, not talk our way out of this mess.
A carefully crafted speech, is just that.
Accountability please.
We pay taxes, we want results for our money,not words.
The sage report is collecting more dust.
85 % of our taxes go to administration.
Nothing is ever said about lowering the tax burden.
It is not what we hear that matters,it is what we don’t hear.
Are we forced to live beyond our means?
’85 % of our taxes go to administration.’
When I read your list it appears that the government and unions, particularly the BIU, have a lot in common. Our current government sits on a platform built by a labour government which explains quite a few of your other line items. Bermuda needs to adjust from being a heavy civil service to a leaner government but in a manner that allows people to switch to worthwhile and sustainable opportunities. Massive layoffs are not the answer.
The minister was the only one who spoke well! Watch the videos. When real facts are given the hardcore don’t listen. They don’t want to hear anything that goes against the lies told by plp. Furbert was actually reasonable too. I am scared for Bermuda if the plp ever gets back in based on this stuff by Bean
There are no videos of Fahys speech. None that I know of anyway.
Make up your mind Minister Fahy – one minute your trying to destroy the BIU and the next your got words of
encouragement for it. — a real BS artist’
Just be honest and tell the People the real agenda is to sell off Bermuda to get rid of the BIU.
Reading the comments, I am once more reminded that perception is reality. In other words, what I believe to be true is true for me, despite any and all facts or proof to the contrary.
It appears that some Bermudians don’t want information that requires them to analyze or think for themselves, they prefer rhetoric that appeals to their emotions.
I also notice that it took less than a month or two for people to “lose trust” in Fahy and the OBA (not claiming they have done everything right). It has been 16 years and counting and it seems the PLP can do no wrong, despite a multitude of promises unkept and policies that badly damaged Bermuda and Bermudian workers.
As I have said before, there is none so blind as he who will not see, or so deaf as he who will not hear.
@ Derek
I worked for Government for 17 years don’t think for one minute that I do not know what is going on in the work place,for some, its party time and swinging the lead.
PANGAEA, I assumed your comments reflected on government but felt they also could describe unions. I do not discount your insights, I simply believe we need to all be honest with each other and accept the truth in that we all need to work together in order to create a sustainable future for Bermuda.
@ Pastor Hayward.
No disrespect but creating a solution to an existing problem with no delivery is false medicine for the wounded.
Minister Fahy has been at each center point of controversy whether it be JetGate, Corporation of Hamilton, the issue with status for PRC and other debatable political events which have occurred. All of a sudden you feel he is trustworthy.
This is not rhetoric that appeals to the emotions. These are focused issues where we should question his words and is he really fit to be an honest broker for the people of Bermuda. Trust in Minister Fahy was not lost in a month or two. The trust was never earned.
A smart educator would tell you to listen to what he says but his ACTIONS are what he needs to be judged on – NOT WORDS. For you and everyone who thinks like you will never be the WISER and the end game will always be different than what you expect. Twisting words is a way of gaining an advantage in a debate – look for that and be sure of the subject matter. A lawyer and a liar are good with twisting words – go to court and you will see it first hand. Bermuda works best when we work for the interest of the Bermuda people.
Jeremiah 7:8
But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.
@ difference.
A wise man in deed you are.