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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

$3.90 Ex-BPL worker loses $6k over ‘lewd’ dismissal By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

AN ex-Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) employee has been stripped of the $6,068 she was awarded after being terminated for “lewd sexual activity” while working in the utility’s cashier cage. The Court of Appeal, in a unanimous verdict, overturned the Industrial Tribunal’s token compensation for Sherry Jennifer Brown after finding that BPL followed the correct disciplinary procedures in dismissing her. Ms Brown’s termination arose after she allowed a male Post Office employee to enter the cashier’s cage at the former East Hill Street location, which BPL treated as a “restricted area” that could not be accessed by outsiders or certain employees in order to protect its revenues, on four separate times over a 12-day period during April 2016. While Ms Brown claimed her interaction with Kim Ferguson was “romantic”, the Industrial Tribunal agreed with BPL that it amounted to “lewd” conduct that at one point extended to her “bending over, spreading her legs and lifting her dress, thereby exposing private areas of her body to Mr Ferguson and also in the presence of her work colleagues”. The ruling added: “The Tribunal cannot find it unfair that BPL considered this to be unacceptably lewd, surpassing mere unprofessional behaviour,” Simone Fitzcharles, its vice-president, wrote in her verdict. “Additionally, it would not have been unfair to say that the other acts Ms and Mr Ferguson performed as were recorded (intimate touching and kissing, for example) were inappropriate in the workplace..... “Based on the camera footage, Mr Ferguson’s main reason for visiting the cage was to find Ms Brown for the purposes of chatting closely, groping, touching intimate parts of the body and Ms Brown exposed private areas of her body. Ms Brown’s witness statement mentioned she performed similar acts.” These acts, according to the verdict, took place while Ms Brown’s colleagues worked at their desks. Mr Ferguson was said to have gained access when Ms Brown opened the door, or when it was left unlocked by others. Besides being “offensive to the employer”, the Industrial Tribunal added that other BPL may also have been “demoralised” by it. However, Ms Fitzcharles found in Ms Brown’s favour on a technicality - that the state-owned utility breached “procedural fairness” by failing to give her a chance to argue against her dismissal. Yet she cut the sum Ms Brown would normally have received for unfair dismissal by 90 percent from the maximum $60,678 on the grounds that her actions “significantly contributed to her firing”. BPL, though, immediately appealed the verdict on the basis that failing to

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$3.91

$4.02

‘Russian Roulette’ by 20% of drivers By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

ORE than 20 percent of Bahamian drivers “are playing Russian Roulette” with people’s lives because they have no insurance protection, a top industry executive warned yesterday. Anton Saunders, RoyalStar Assurance’s managing director, told Tribune Business the willingness of one in five drivers to use the roads without adequate coverage threatened “serious consequences for the Bahamian economy and families” who had the misfortune to encounter them. He added that the situation threatened to “inflict a burden on the whole society” if accident victims were unable to obtain due

• Uninsured ‘clear and present danger’ to families • Top insurer to ‘absorb’ up to 15% reinsurance rise • Says 2021 growth to come outside The Bahamas compensation for their injuries, or written-off and damaged vehicles, from uninsured drivers. Reiterating the industry’s readiness to work with the Road Traffic Department, police and industry regulator to develop a solution that would stamp out this potential menace, Mr Saunders voiced hope that the government’s planned digitisation of the former agency would give all stakeholders access to real-time information that would help detect uninsured drivers. Yet he also urged the authorities to take enforcement further by following

the lead established by the US and other countries. This, the RoyalStar chief added, should involve the seizure and impounding of vehicles used by uninsured drivers until they obtain the correct coverage rather than the present system of simply issuing a fine and letting them continue on their way. Disclosing that the property and casualty insurer saw the severity of road accident claims, and the loss per incident, increase in 2020, Mr Saunders said the company was looking to other Caribbean territories rather than The Bahamas to fuel its near-term growth.

A PROMINENT realtor yesterday voiced optimism that real estate sales could increase by 50 percent this year as he urged Bahamians to “polish what we have” before the tourism market rebounds. George Damianos, Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty’s chief executive, told Tribune Business he had been “shocked” by how “shabby” Bay Street and downtown Nassau appeared when he drove through the area over the weekend on his way to hold viewings at Paradise Island’s Ocean Club Estates. Warning that The Bahamas cannot afford to let the city, one of its major tourist destinations, “deteriorate” any further, Mr Damianos urged the government, landlords and private businesses to “seize the moment” and give downtown Nassau “a

GEORGE DAMIANOS good polish” ahead of tourism’s revival. “I did have the opportunity to go downtown over the weekend on the way to do some showings at the Ocean Club, and because of that I had to drive through the city a couple of times in the last three days,” he told this newspaper. “I was totally shocked at

Union chief in ‘101%’ backing for judge’s call By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

a series of fix-ups and improvements to enhance downtown Nassau’s ambience and appearance. Bay Street and the city have been almost a ‘ghost town’ for the past 10 months due to the COVID-19 related shutdown of the cruise industry, upon which the vast majority of its businesses depend for virtually all their trade. The absence of cruise ship passengers and business employees has likely contributed to the seeming further “deterioration”, but the government has recently touted $1bn in investments that it hopes can spark a downtown Nassau renaissance. These include the $200m The Pointe project, soon to

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• Realtor ‘shocked’ by ‘shabby’ downtown Nassau • But hopeful of 50% real estate sales increase • Urges Bahamas to ‘play our cards correctly’ how shabby it was. Bahamians should take the opportunity to polish up the town, the environment and the streets we travel. It could use a good polish. We should think about that for the tourism rebound, seize the moment and not let things deteriorate further, for all of a sudden the tourists will be back. “I’d use this opportunity to polish this place, do a little shining and polish up. The government could use the time to do this as it is not something that is very capital intensive this type of work, cleaning and polishing. It’s so cheaply done. It’s not like building a road, constructing a bridge. It’s polishing up what we have.” Mr Damianos explained that he was calling for

OBIE FERGUSON

A TRADE union leader yesterday gave his “101 percent” backing to a Supreme Court judge’s call to modernise the Industrial Relations Act and take the government out of union elections. Obie Ferguson, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) president and prominent labour attorney, responding to Justice Loren Klein’s verdict on the Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) presidential poll agreed that the Department of Labour should not have responsibility for supervising trade union elections and certifying the vote. He said: “The government, or a government department, ought not be involved in the internal workings of the union. That’s a matter for the union members; they decide whether or not there has been a wrong done, and if there has been a wrong done then there is a mechanism in the constitution for them to seek a remedy, or whatever relief they’re looking for, but that should not be left to the registrar of trade unions or the minister of labour. “I don’t know why the government continues to do this as this can become very expensive if you have union elections all over our archipelago. That means you would have to send a designated representative to Acklins or Inagua just to supervise an election that the government need not be involved in.” Justice Klein, in rejecting the Judicial Review challenge to the BPSU results, called for Parliament to upgrade the laws and “eclectic mix of rules” that govern such polls to prevent the courts from becoming overwhelmed by the frequent challenges to trade union elections.

He revealed that RoyalStar had chosen to itself “absorb” the COVID-19 related increases in reinsurance costs, ranging from 7.5 percent to 15 percent, rather than pass them on to Bahamian businesses and households via increased home, motor and marine insurance premiums because the pandemic-devastated economy simply cannot bear it. The number of uninsured, under-insured and incorrectly insured drivers on Bahamian streets has always been a concern

‘Polish what we have before tourists return’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

$4.01

Governor ‘lays down gauntlet’ for banking By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Central Bank’s governor has “laid down the gauntlet” with his plans to modernise the commercial banking industry for the 21st century, a BISX-listed institution’s chief executive said yesterday. Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief executive, told Tribune Business that the objectives and strategies unveiled by John Rolle at last week’s Bahamas Business Outlook conference targeted issues that the local banking industry should have been doing already. Responding to the

• Banker: Bahamas should be doing this already • Regulator applauded for 21st century moves • Greater clarity sought on ‘embryonic’ reforms

GOWON BOWE

JOHN ROLLE

Central Bank chief’s drive for greater transparency, accountability and consumer protection, Mr Bowe said Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) had no objection to or difficulties with the policies that were set out. “He’s laid down the gauntlet of what he wants to achieve,” he told this newspaper of the governor’s address. “He said that you either get on board or there will be consequences. That’s the right manner as a regulator.

“We are in a fairly mature banking industry, and we have to be nimble in the way we adapt. Some of those are things we already should be doing and we should not be surprised at. From my organisation’s perspective, these are things that have been discussed with the Central Bank over time.” Mr Rolle, in his Business Outlook address, pledged to deliver “greater transparency” on commercial bank fees and provide Bahamian financial services consumers with greater choice and protection. He promised that the “Financial Services Ombudsman” post will be established early this year.

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PAGE 2, Wednesday, January 20, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

GOVT BONDS LISTING BOOSTS BISX’S MARKET CAP BY 58% THE Bahamas International Securities Exchange’s (BISX) total market capitalisation grew by 58 percent in 2020 due to the listing of more than $3.4bn in longterm government bond debt. The exchange, in its year-end statistical report, disclosed that the combined total value of listed equity and debt securities jumped by more than $3.2bn yearover-year compared to end-2019. The total worth of listed debt securities alone, which includes the government’s bonds, soared from just $507m at the prior yearend to just over $4bn. As a result, the total value of BISX-listed debt and equity securities rose from

$5.531bn at the start of 2020 to $8.763bn by year-end. However, amid the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the combined worth of listed equity stocks dropped by more than $263m or 5.2 percent year-over-year. The fall, from $5.024bn at year-end 2019 to $4.761bn some 12 months later, was caused by the decline in value of BISX-listed share prices. The exchange’s All-Share Index, which measures only movements in share prices and does not include capital appreciation (dividends), was down for the year by 6.23 percent or 139.14 points at 2,092.46. “By comparison, for the

12-month period ending December 31, 2019, the BISX All-Share Index closed at 2231.60. That increase was a year to date increase of 122.19 or 5.79 percent,” BISX said. “As at December 31, 2020, the market was comprised of 20 ordinary shares with a market capitalisation of $4.51bn. In addition, there were seven preference shares with a market capitalisation of $244m, ten Bahamas Government Stock (BGS) and corporate bonds with a face value of $479m, and 210 Bahamas Registered Stock (BRS) with a face value of $3.5bn.” Some 5.558m securities, worth a collective $27.886m,

were traded across BISX in 2020. The vast majority of this activity involved ordinary shares in BISX-listed companies, of which 4.696m - worth a collective $18.696m - changed hands. Over 32,000 government bonds, worth more than $6.5m, were also traded. BISX’s All-Share Index did not enjoy the increases enjoyed by some global stock market indices, as the S&P 500 and MSCI Emerging Market Index both closed the year up 15.29 percent and 14.2 percent, respectively. In contrast, BISX’s equivalent was down 6.23 percent, while London’s FTSE 100 was also off 15.04 percent.

“Trading volume for the 12-month period January 2, 2020, to December 31, 2020, was 5.558m shares for a value of $27.886m Trading volume for the 12-month period January 2, 2019, to December 31, 2019, was 8.853m shares for a value of $42.746m,” BISX said. “Trading volume for the three-month period October 1 to December 31, 2020, was 1.85m shares for a value of $10.689m. By comparison, for the three-month period from October 1 to December 31, 2019, trading volume was 2.919m shares for a value of $13.818m.” Turning to average daily volumes and values, BISX added: “For the 12-month

period ending December 31, 2020, the average daily trading volume was 22,068 shares, which resulted in an average daily trading value of $110,229. By comparison, for the 12-month period December 31, 2019, the average daily trading volume was 35,627 shares for an average value of $172,307. “During the three-month period from October 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, the average volume per trading day was 29,368 shares for a value of $169,665. By comparison, for the three-month period from October 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019, the average volume per trading day was 47,091 shares for an average value of $222,165.”

CIBC LAUNCHES NEW BANKING TECHNOLOGY

CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank (Bahamas) has launched the roll-out of its “smart” automated banking machine (ABM) technology in Grand Bahama. The BISX-listed lender, in a statement, said its new Pioneer’s Way branch features three modern ABM machines as well as a drive through ABM. It added that the new ABM technology will provide for faster, more efficient cash and chequerelated transactions, and an improved overall banking experience. For Bahamian dollar cash-related transactions, CIBC FirstCaribbean said clients will be able to deposit up to 50 bank notes into the machine per go without using an envelope. They will have immediate access to the cash deposited, and receive a detailed printout of the transaction details when it is complete. For cheque-related transactions, the bank added that clients will be able to deposit up to eight cheques into the machine

CIBC FirstCaribbean’s new Freeport branch relocated from its East Mall site to the new Pioneer’s Way location, across from the Grand Bahama Port Authority building. It features three modern ABM machines and a drive-through ABM. per transaction without using an envelope. They will see on-screen images of cheques deposited, and receive the same detailed printout. Gezel Farrington, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s director of retail banking channels, said: “We are so excited to introduce the simplified and modern banking experience that ABM technology, and new teller transaction technology, presents to our clients.

“The Pioneer’s Way branch allows persons to conduct business in a timely and efficient manner, and makes it possible to conveniently do banking without even having to come inside the branch. “CIBC FirstCaribbean encourages its clients to use its ABM machines, and online and mobile banking channels, where possible. However, the Pioneer’s Way branch also has a digital banking zone with

a dedicated digital champion to help clients with all of their online and mobile banking needs.” With five ABMs in total, CIBC FirstCaribbean said the new Freeport branch features two night deposits, including a drive-through night deposit machine that allows business clients to make their deposits safely without exiting their vehicle. Sally Laing, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s branch

AT the Pioneer’s Way branch opening, the first client to experience the new technology was Jacqueline Cooper, a client of the bank for more than 12 years. She received a gift bag from Sally Laing, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Pioneer’s Way branch manager. manager at Pioneer’s Way, said: “We are so grateful for the clients we have had over the years. From opening accounts and helping with transactions to assisting individuals reach financial milestones, it brings us great joy to now utilise new technology that allows tellers, and our entire team, to provide

quicker, more efficient service.” The Freeport branch relocated from its East Mall site to the new Pioneer’s Way location, which is across from the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) building, on January 12. Its telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and operating hours remain the same.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, January 20, 2021, PAGE 3

ELECTRIC AUTO DEALERSHIP AIMS TO ‘DOUBLE’ GROWTH By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas’ first electric car dealership owner yesterday said it expects to “double” its growth rate for 2020 with vehicles said to be going “great”. Pia Farmer, owner of Easy Car Sales, told Tribune Business: “We’re looking forward to a huge success this year. We are witnessing one of the greatest technological revolutions in transportation since the invention of

PIA Farmer of EASY CAR SALES, pictured with Joan Albury, CEO and Founder of the TCL Group, offered a video presentation on the “Evolution of Transportation to Electric Vehicles” at the recent Bahamas Business Outlook.

COVID VISITOR TESTING HITS ‘BUMPS IN ROAD’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE government’s five-day COVID-19 visitor testing strategy has hit “some bumps in the road” on islands where provision is solely reliant on the public sector clinics, a Cabinet minister said yesterday. Dionisio D’Aguilar, pictured, minister of tourism and aviation, said his ministry will work with the Ministry of Health to “enhance” the provision of rapid antigen tests through the public sector clinics on Family Islands where no private providers are present. He added: “We are well positioned with approximately 80 healthcare providers to provide those tests easily and seamlessly. We had some bumps in the road with the government clinics, but certainly our private sector operators are filling the gap relatively well. As for those islands without private health care providers, Mr D’Aguilar said: “We’re going to have to liaise with the Ministry of Health to enhance the services that are provided by those clinics.” “There are going to be people traveling on weekends. They’re going to have to make sure that they

LIQUOR SALES ‘SLOWER THAN NORMAL’ POSTCHRISTMAS By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net LIQUOR retailers yesterday said January sales to-date have been “much slower than normal” even though

have adequate supplies in order that they can meet that demand to provide this test.” The Bahamas’ rapid antigen testing infrastructure, established to ensure all tourists remaining in the country for five days or longer were tested for COVID-19, has assumed even greater importance after the US announced that all citizens returning from international travel must produce a negative test for the virus taken within three days prior to travelling home. This means The Bahamas will have to provide the necessary testing to meet US requirements if Americans, who provide 82 percent of this nation’s tourists, are not to be further deterred from coming here. While The Bahamas and other Caribbean nations are continuing to lobby for an exemption from the new US testing regime, which is due to take effect from January 26, Mr D’Aguilar said this many traditionally see a drop-off post-Christmas. Richard Knowles, Knowles Liquor’s Store, said: “Things have been much slower than it normally was in previous years, but that’s expected. We are holding on.” “January for me is not a slow time at all typically, because this is the time I get a lot of boaters coming in to the dock as I am right opposite the shore on East Bay. January has always been a good time for me.” Vernal Smith, Island Wines

nation’s network of clinics and private healthcare providers represent a “Plan B” to meet the US requirements, adding: “Thank God that we included that as a part of our protocols.” He confirmed that the Government is “pushing” to have the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider a “special waiver” for Caribbean islands due to their small populations and relatively low levels of COVID-19 infections. They are arguing that the region should be considered as a “special grouping” of countries within the US “sphere of influence”. Mr D’Aguilar said: “We want them to consider the Caribbean as a special case that they would consider giving an exemption to. So we’re going to push. I don’t know whether it’s going to yield any results, but we need to push.” As for the cruise industry’s return, Mr D’Aguilar said bluntly that the industry is “in the grasp of the CDC” and there is nothing The Bahamas can do aside from wait until the US health regulator decides to let vessels sail again. His remarks came just as Norwegian Cruise Line further suspended its sailings until April 30, 2021. & Spirits’ general manager, told Tribune Business yesterday that while business was slow “it is always this way, especially for the second and third week in January”. He added that trade typically starts to pick up during the second week in February due to Valentine’s Day and consumers getting over January, when they have to stretch their dollar to make ends meet due to Christmas spending. “But I remember operating

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the combustion engine 140 years ago. “Over 10m plug-in cars are expected on the global roads in 2020, and analysts predict that by 2040 more than half of all the vehicles on the road will be electric. And while EVs (electric vehicles) make up less than two percent of new car sales worldwide, in The Bahamas sales of 100 percent electric vehicles are trending at seven percent, much higher than the world average”. Estimating that there

are currently more than 200 EVs on The Bahamas’ roads, Easy Car Sales expects their number to double this year and continue growing thereafter as the public discovers the potential savings from switching to electric transportation. Ms Farmer added: “We now drive out of our way to fill up a conventional car at the gas station. We pay an average $4 per gallon of gasoline to drive 25 to 30 miles, while charging your EV from the BPL grid costs

only $1 to go the same distance. This represents a 75 percent savings on fuel, and charging at home, at work or at free public charging stations is much more convenient and stress free.” She asserted that this is a major reason for EV adoption, adding: “EVs are solar ready. Charging your electric car from solar power produced on your roof will cost you only 38 cents per gallon equivalent, making electric transportation the logical choice for sunny Bahamas.”

Poultry self-sufficiency ‘doable’ within three years By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN producer yesterday said this nation could become selfsufficient in poultry within three years if the correct policies and regulations are implemented. Lance Pinder, Abaco Big Bird Poultry Farm’s operations manager, told Tribune Business: “With the right regulations and the right investments it’s doable, but the policies have to be place. A lot of problems that’s existed for the last 25 years that I’ve complained about have not been addressed. If it hasn’t happened in 25 years, and all of the problems and the barriers are still there, what’s the chance?” He spoke out after Michael Pintard, minister of agriculture and marine resources, told last week’s Bahamas Business Outlook conference that studies by the likes of the United Nations’ (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) suggested The Bahamas could achieve self-sufficiency in poultry, especially broiler and meat products, plus eggs within three years. Mr Pinder, though, warned that there was “more to it” than just growing the right amount of chickens. He explained that there needs to be a proper marketing system for produce once processed, along with anti-dumping restrictions to prevent foreign producers

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from flooding The Bahamas with poor quality, inferior chicken that undercuts local suppliers on price. The Abaco Big Bird chief, meanwhile, said he has finally received a Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) grant that will primarily finance feed for his chickens as he continues rebuilding the farm’s facilities following the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. However, Mr Pinder said his long hoped-for crown land grant is still “stuck in the prime minister’s office” and has not moved forward for many months. He added: “I’m 27 years from leasing the land now. Either renew the lease as we did at year 21, which was two years before the renewal was actually up. “Before the renewal was up we put in an application

to be able to get the land because we’ve developed it, and we’ve farmed it, and now I am investing on it again.” Mr Pinder said he is currently operating at 15 percent of normal production capacity compared to pre-Dorian, as the farm is not even 50 percent reconstructed. It presently has only two functioning barns, while a third is in the process of being completed within the next three months. The COVID-19 pandemic has also taken a toll. “We have to be careful about this because our Abaco market is still out because of Dorian, and the tourists are not coming as they once did because of COVID-19, but we have sent a shipment of chickens to a major wholesaler in Nassau just recently,” he added.

Request For Bids A cement company is requesting bids for trucking services for its two locations in New Providence. Interested parties are invited to send an email to (truckbids242@gmail.com). Bids will be received until February 9th, 2021

PAGE 6, Wednesday, January 20, 2021

LIQUOR SALES ‘SLOWER THAN NORMAL’ POSTCHRISTMAS FROM PAGE THREE ‘over the hill’, and January would be a slow period as I had to depend on more government workers, but where I’m at now it’s only because I’m not getting the yachts like I used to. That’s what has happened to me,” Mr Smith added. Ricardo Gordon, general manager of Gordo’s Liquor Store, said: “It’s no big difference between this year and last year. January and February is normally the slow period in any event. While sales were down ‘slightly’ there was nothing to complain about.” Javan Johnson, general manager of KC Liquors, added: “Things have been going great since we have been open. We’re not experiencing much of a drought. We’ve been doing really well since December.”

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THE TRIBUNE

‘Russian Roulette’ by 20% of drivers FROM PAGE ONE for the insurance industry, and Mr Saunders said these worries have only intensified as high unemployment and reduced incomes stemming from COVID-19 force further consumer cutbacks.’ “We know that people, especially on motor, are playing Russian Roulette,” he told Tribune Business. “They are driving around without insurance. We believe it’s over 20 percent of people driving without insurance, and that is a serious consequence to the Bahamian economy and families that end up in accidents with uninsured people and cannot get compensation.” Mr Saunders said the insurance industry felt “the biggest issue” involved second-hand vehicles where there was “no bank involvement”, in terms of a lien on the auto, compelling the owner to purchase the necessary insurance. “Right now there’s a clear and present danger in The Bahamas,” he added. “People are driving around in motor vehicles, at least 20 percent without insurance.

God forbid those people get into an accident and injure someone. That is a burden on the whole society.” Besides those drivers who are either uninsured, or inadequately insured, many businesses and individuals are unaware of the ‘authorised driver’ clauses inserted into motor policies to minimise the insurer’s liability. This means that only those persons named on the policy have insurance coverage to drive the vehicle, but many companies and persons have been caught out when they flip the keys to those who are not “authorised”. When such persons are involved in an accident in vehicles they are not authorised to drive, insurers will typically not make a pay-out. “We have seen a major decrease in attritional motor claims, but the severity on the other side has gone up,” Mr Saunders said, although he provided no figures. The decrease in road accident volumes is thought to have been driven by the COVID19 lockdowns and associated reduction in the number road users. Besides the Road Traffic

Department’s digitisation, the RoyalStar chief said “enforcement has to be the key part” in substantially reducing the uninsured driver threat. While the likes of the US and UK impounded vehicles driven by uninsured drivers until they came into compliance, Mr Saunders said in The Bahamas “you get a ticket and drive your car away still breaking the law”. “It’s not rocket science,” he added. “Hopefully, once we sit down and come up with a credible solution, the laws and policies put in place will help to stop this.” Meanwhile, although The Bahamas was spared any further devastating hurricanes in 2020, Mr Saunders said the world’s reinsurance market had been rocked by COVID-19 related claims related to business interruption and the cancellation of major crowd events such as music concerts. As a result, reinsurance costs are set to increase worldwide in 2021, “and some of that will trickle down to the Caribbean”. Bahamian property and casualty insurers are among those most heavily impacted by such developments, as they are reinsurance ‘price takers’ due to the need to purchase huge quantities of this coverage to help underwrite all the risks based in

Ex-BPL worker loses $6k over ‘lewd’ dismissal FROM PAGE ONE allow an employee to argue against “overwhelming

JOB VACANCY CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, CPA. Audit Manager

required for small professional practice

evidence of misconduct” was not sufficient grounds to uphold an unfair dismissal finding. It also

argued that Ms Brown was given “three opportunities over a three-week period” to explain why she should

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The candidate should have a degree from recognized institution in Mechanical and or Electrical Engineering. Candidate must speak english. Candidate must have experience working on large private estates or lodging industry. Candidate must have at least three references from previous employers.

this nation. “That’s what we’re dealing with right now,” Mr Saunders said. “What we have told our reinsurers is that whatever the increase is we have to absorb it. We, RoyalStar, have to absorb it ourselves as we cannot pass any increase on to our consumers at this time. We have to absorb whatever that marginal increase is ourselves. “We have to protect our consumers and the balance sheet. With everything else going on in the Bahamian economy there is no way we can pass it on to our clients. We’re taking the decision, as RoyalStar, that that marginal increase will be absorbed in our expense items.” Mr Saunders said reinsurance cost increases ranged from 7.5 percent to 15 percent “depending on what you are buying”. To mitigate against the impact of absorbing these rises, he added that RoyalStar was looking to its “hard currency” territories of Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands for 2021 growth. “We’re just diversifying as best we can in the region,” Mr Saunders told this newspaper. “Our growth targets will be more in those areas than in The Bahamas. We’ll just eat the marginal costs

and not see any growth kicking in in The Bahamas. “For us it’s just prudent looking at the state of the economy in the Bahamas and some other territories in which we do business. It’s nor prudent for us to pass that on at this time.” Mr Saunders, though, said the insurance industry had taken the position that the COVID-19 premium deferral announced by the government last year had ended in June/July rather than, as stated, that customers hit by the pandemic had 60 days after the emergency orders end - which is currently end-January - to pay the outstanding sum or agree a settlement plan. The RoyalStar chief argued that the government’s intention cannot have been to give persons “free insurance for a year”, as the latter interpretation implies, and added: “As far as the Bahamas Insurance Association is concerned those emergency orders for the deferral of premiums ended last year.” He urged persons struggling to keep their insurance current to work with both their agents and brokers, and underwriters, arguing that coverage “is a necessity in catastrophe prone areas” especially after the “double whammy” of Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19.

not be dismissed, but had not taken the opportunity. Appeal justice Milton Evans, writing the unanimous verdict, backed BPL’s arguments in finding that “the egregious nature” of Ms Brown’s behaviour far outweighed her status as a 25-year veteran, which the Industrial Tribunal had described as a mitigating factor. “It is difficult to conceive of any reasonable basis on which it can even be inferred that the appellants (BPL) would have considered the status of the respondent as a longstanding employee a mitigating factor having regard to the egregious nature of her conduct and her failure to appreciate the gravity of her infractions,” he wrote.... Finding that BPL had “fully complied with its disciplinary procedures” and given Ms Brown a chance to make the case for retaining her job, appeal justice Evans added: “The decision to terminate was not too harsh in the circumstances of this case, as the established conduct was egregiously inconsistent with behaviour expected from the respondent as a seasoned employee stationed in a public place

as a representative of the appellants.” Obie Ferguson, the Trades Union Congress president acting for Ms Brown, argued that BPL had failed to provide his client with the specific allegations against her. The Court of Appeal, though, quickly dismissed this by noting that the Industrial Tribunal verdict said she was presented with the case against her. “The evidence against the respondent was compelling, and it is understandable why she did not pursue a claim for wrongful dismissal. It would have been a baseless claim with no chance of success,” appeal justice Evans added. “In my view, faced with the evidence of the video recording, it was open to the respondent to accept responsibility for her actions and ‘throw herself’ on the mercy of her employers. Instead she continued to dispute incontrovertible facts. She had every opportunity to make representations as to why she should not be terminated but failed to avail herself of the same.”

LEGAL NOTICE

Head Engineer P. O. Box N-7776 (Slot 193) Nassau, Bahamas

NOTICE

TRENTON BUSINESS INC. In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, TRENTON BUSINESS INC. is in dissolution as of January 14th, 2021. International Liquidator Services Inc. situated at 3rd Floor Withfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.

LIQUIDATOR ______________________

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

BLANDFORD CORPORATION In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, BLANDFORD CORPORATION is in dissolution as of January 14th, 2021. International Liquidator Services Inc. situated at 3rd Floor Withfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.

LIQUIDATOR ______________________

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, January 20, 2021, PAGE 7

‘Polish what we have before tourists return’ FROM PAGE ONE be completed adjacent to the British Colonial Hilton, as well as the $250m cruise port upgrade and $318m new US embassy. The Central Bank’s new Royal Victoria Gardens headquarters, and Supreme Court building on the site of the old Post Office building on East Hill Street. Meanwhile, looking ahead to the real estate market’s 2021 prospects compared to last year’s COVID-hit period, Mr Damianos said: “The outlook, I feel, is a lot better especially in the first few weeks of the year. We’re busy. I’m very optimistic that we will come back. I don’t know if we will reach 2019 or 2018 levels, but we’re definitely going to see a better year than last year. “There’s activity in the market. People are looking. People are flying in, which is particularly encouraging. It’s only speculative but I’m hoping to see a 50 percent improvement in sales volumes over last year. “There’s a good possibility we can capitalise on this; we have a lot going for us in The Bahamas. If we play our cards right we have a

great opportunity to capitalise on it. I’m optimistic about that. I think it could happen.” When asked to explain what he meant, Mr Damianos said that besides The Bahamas’ traditional advantages of US proximity, warm climate and favourable tax structure, it also presently has a relatively low number of COVID-19 infections. He added that this was reflected by the fact that many persons who flew into Lyford Cay for Christmas are “in no hurry to go back”, with many planning to remain until March. “I think that’s a sign of a good place to be,” Mr Damianos said. He echoed suggestions by other realtors, such as John Christie, that many high net worth Americans - nervous about the prospect of increased taxes under the incoming Biden administration - were likely to move to “diversify their portfolio” via foreign real estate investments. “I think The Bahamas could be well-suited, and we need to recognise it and take advantage of it,” Mr Damianos said. “I think the government should be cognisant of it, and be attentive to foreign investment and

second home owners.” He acknowledged, though, that the new US requirement for returning citizens to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of travel could represent an obstacle and “we’ll see how that affects investor travel”. While it was more problematic for UK and European clients to travel to The Bahamas, due to their countries’ travel restrictions, some were still coming on charters. Mario Carey, the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate MCR Group Bahamas principal, yesterday reflected Mr Damianos’ estimates by disclosing that “showings might have increased by 50 percent in the high-end market” compared to last year’s COVID-19 hit months. “Pre-COVID we were humming, we were on a roll,” he said, adding that it might take time for the real estate market to approach those heights once again. While the international market was rebounding, Mr Carey said the domestic side was facing “tricky” headwinds due to the loss of jobs and incomes, and banks once again being reluctant to lend.

Governor ‘lays down gauntlet’ for banking FROM PAGE ONE Acknowledging that “governance, transparency and consumer protection will also require bolstering”, Mr Rolle said the Central Bank planned to start by producing more openness around commercial bank fees that have long drawn the ire of consumers. “One near-term deliverable will be publication of more comparable information on the fee structure of financial products across banks, using a standardised template that has been already developed. This would promote more informed choices across products and services being provided by competing institutions,” he argued. “The bank will also consider what regulatory avenues can be exploited to promote transparency around fee setting practices under the Payment Systems Act. In addition, as regards mobility and choice, the Central Bank

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, ELNICKA MARISA MUSGROVE of Forest, Exuma, Bahamas. P.O.Box SB50316 Parent of GLENROY ALMADO SMITH A minor intend to change my child’s name to TAVARI TREVOR ARMBRISTER JR If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Public is hereby advised that I, KENELMN JUDE BARR-SMITH of the Settlement of West End, P.O. Box F40204 on the Island of Grand Bahama one of the Islands in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas intend to change my name to KENELUMN JUDE NOTTAGE from that of KENELMN JUDE BARR-SMITH. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

The Public is hereby advised that I, SONIE CASELIU OSCAR, of Joe Farrington Road, Nassau, Bahamas intend to change my name to SONIE TRAZILIA OSCAR . If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

The Public is hereby advised that I,CURRY A MERIZIER, of Church Hill Avenue, Chippingham P.O.Box CR-56013 Nassau, Bahamas intend to change my name to CURRY A ELIZIER. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

TUESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2021

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:

CHANGE

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

2094.46

-1.30

-0.06

2.00

0.10

(242) 323-2330 (242) 323-2320

BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.15 33.05 2.00 2.02 2.10 6.00 6.75 3.80 6.49 4.45 6.16 12.77 3.64 6.85 10.88 8.44 15.08 4.25 9.26 15.21

52WK LOW 3.13 22.65 0.67 1.62 1.66 5.00 6.00 2.70 4.50 3.50 5.90 11.06 2.10 4.75 9.60 7.50 13.00 3.25 8.15 14.00

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 0.90

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank Bahamas Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ

LAST CLOSE 4.15 32.12 1.62 2.02 1.67 6.00 6.61 2.99 4.74 3.59 5.90 11.26 2.62 6.85 10.26 8.40 13.75 3.94 8.50 15.20

CLOSE 4.15 32.12 1.62 2.02 1.67 6.00 6.61 2.98 4.74 3.59 5.90 11.24 2.60 6.85 10.21 8.40 13.75 3.94 8.50 15.20

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

LAST SALE 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGRS810359 BSBGR120371 BSBGRS790262

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 97.04 100.72

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A Focol Class B

BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00 100.00 97.72 100.70

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 94.40 100.70

SECURITY Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+) Bahamas First Holdings Limited

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y BGRS FL BSBGRS810359 BGRS FX BSBGR120371 BGRS FL BSBGRS790262

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.01) 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.02) (0.02) 0.00 (0.05) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

VOLUME

200 5,000

1,700 552

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.110 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

VOLUME

1,000

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.030 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

P/E 17.4 34.5 N/M N/M N/M N/M 17.9 -6.8 33.9 19.5 13.1 15.6 25.5 14.7 15.8 11.5 16.9 19.4 9.1 24.1

YIELD 4.10% 3.92% 1.23% 1.49% 0.00% 0.00% 3.93% 0.00% 0.00% 3.34% 3.73% 6.41% 16.69% 0.88% 3.21% 2.86% 3.93% 3.05% 2.35% 4.01%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%

MATURITY

19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025

6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 4.81% 5.22% 4.53%

20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 26-Jul-2035 15-Dec-2037 28-Mar-2026

will explore medium-term reforms around the feasibility of open banking, having full regard to regulatory proposals that would encourage product development, but keep consumer protection in full view. “From an inclusion perspective, we will also explore the feasibility of incorporating universal access criteria into the basic product mix of financial institutions through potentially a basic, no-frills, fee- regulated instrument that each institution would have to provide.” Mr Bowe told Tribune Business that consumer protection had been “part of first world banking for decades, but is not so prevalent in The Bahamas”. Suggesting that it would help prevent the misselling of financial services to Bahamians, as has happened in other jurisdictions, he added: “I think that in The Bahamas that is necessary. We don’t have complex products. “I think the ombudsman’s role is also necessary. I don’t believe the Central Bank should really be the advocate for consumer protection. They’re the ones which take the feedback from the ombudsman to determine if the rules and regulations” need strengthening. Setting out his vision for the ombudsman’s role, Mr Rolle had said: “Taking a more holistic view of consumer protection, the Central Bank is now committed to completing the establishment of the Financial Services Ombudsman role early in 2021. “Initially, the role will strengthen advocacy around service delivery within Central Bank-supervised

institutions, and identify where principles-based regulations can be deployed under the existing laws within the Central Bank’s remit. “In addition, the ombudsman will focus on proposals for consumer financial protection that might require new comprehensive regulations. For example, the current scope which the Central Bank has in the payments space would not impact credit products.” Kenrick Brathwaite, the Clearing Banks Association’s chairman, said that while the industry had no objections to what the Central Bank governor had set out, more clarity was needed on the precise role that the proposed ombudsman will play. “That requires a lot more consultation and conversation,” he told Tribune Business. “The full extent of that post has to be defined so that everyone understand what the position is created to achieve. A lot of these things are in the embryonic stages, and we will have consultation and conversation with the governor so that we are all on the same page with regard to these things. “But I can tell you I don’t generally have any objections to this. These are in in the embryonic stages, and some of the things he’s talking about have not even been discussed. We’re going to have the regular meeting with the governor in a few weeks when we will sit down and discuss these things. “The things he’s talking about we knew were coming and don’t generally have any objections to them.”

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that GRANT EDWARD GEORGE, of #4 Woods Drive, Albany, P.O.Box CB11901 Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 13th day of January 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE GOLD PANDORA LIMITED N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:a)

GOLD PANDORA LIMITED is in voluntary dis solution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 15th January, 2021 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

The Liquidator of the said company is Octagon Management Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, Nassau, Bahamas.

Dated this 20th day of January, A. D. 2021 _________________________________ Octagon Management Limited Liquidator

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.38 4.43 2.14 198.39 176.73 1.69 1.85 1.77 1.24 8.39 10.26 7.23 12.80 12.81 10.81 10.00 8.98 11.79

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.65 1.79 1.75 1.05 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Preferred Income Fund Leno Growth Fund Leno Diversified Fund Leno Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

NAV 2.38 4.43 2.14 198.36 173.98 1.69 1.79 1.77 1.05 8.39 9.88 7.23 12.33 12.80 10.20 N/A 9.28 11.86

YTD% 12 MTH% 4.14% 4.49% 1.47% 2.97% 2.33% 2.57% 1.65% 2.39% 4.34% 9.82% 1.65% 1.95% -3.06% -2.22% 0.80% 1.17% -12.30% -11.81% 0.64% 0.98% 1.19% -3.63% 4.20% 5.04% 2.63% 7.68% 3.68% 3.93% -4.89% -4.62% N/A N/A -0.50% 3.70% -3.80% 4.10%

NAV Date

30-Nov-2020 30-Nov-2020 27-Nov-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price

52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks

Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity

52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks

Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity

Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume

Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price

Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume

Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week

Change - Change in closing price from day to day

EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths

Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today

NAV - Net Asset Value

DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months

N/M - Not Meaningful

ANTHEMIS LIMITED N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:a)

ANTHEMIS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 15th January, 2021 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

The Liquidator of the said company is Octagon Management Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, Nassau, Bahamas.

30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020

MARKET TERMS

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00

NOTICE

P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

Dated this 20th day of January, A. D. 2021

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CAROLISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

_________________________________ Octagon Management Limited Liquidator

PAGE 10, Wednesday, January 20, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Union chief in ‘101%’ backing for judge’s call FROM PAGE ONE He also urged Parliament (and the government) to consider laws permitting “a more direct method of challenging union elections” than Judicial Review. He argued that the latter’s narrow focus on the registrar’s decision to certify the results could magnify “minor irregularities or breaches” to such an extent that results are declared invalid even though the outcome has not been affected. “It is also fitting, in the circumstances of the frequent challenges to union elections which besiege the courts, to

append to this judgment a few observations which may have a bearing on these matters,” Justice Klein wrote. “The first is that the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act have clearly not kept pace with the developments in international law dealing with the rights of unions and their members, nor has it evolved to keep pace with the burgeoning governance requirements of unions in the active labour and industrial law context of The Bahamas. “As illustrated by this case, and the referenced authorities, it seems that union

elections are conducted according to an eclectic mix of rules derived from the unions’ constitutions, principles interposed from the Parliamentary Elections Act, common law principles, and sometimes the edicts of the Registrar.” Justice Klein said “much litigation and dissension” could be avoided if trade unions developed their own elections rules in compliance with the Industrial Relations Act, setting out the procedures to be followed on nominations, balloting and voting processes. He added that this could be benchmarked against

international laws such as the UK’s Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, or treaties that The Bahamas has signed such as the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention 87. The judge also described Judicial Review as “a rather blunt instrument” for challenging election results because it does not scrutinise votes to determine if there are irregularities. As a result, Justice Klein warned that small breaches could result in an election result being overturned even if they have

no material impact on the outcome. “It might therefore be appropriate for Parliament to give consideration to providing for a more direct method of challenging union elections, which allows the court to uphold the results unless the irregularities or omissions would affect the outcome or overall fairness of the election, and not be straitjacketed into nullifying elections for procedural errors which do not have this effect,” he wrote. Mr Ferguson, meanwhile, said: “I have insisted that the Industrial Tribunal be

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 71° F/22° C Low: 47° F/8° C

TAMPA

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Mostly sunny and pleasant

Partly cloudy

Partly sunny and pleasant

Sunny to partly cloudy and nice

Mostly sunny and pleasant

Variably cloudy with a shower

High: 75°

Low: 66°

High: 75° Low: 65°

High: 77° Low: 67°

High: 81° Low: 64°

High: 76° Low: 65°

AccuWeather RealFeel

76° F

63° F

80°-67° F

81°-68° F

86°-64° F

79°-62° F

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

almanac

ABACO

High: 73° F/23° C Low: 63° F/17° C

7-14 knots

High: 74° F/23° C Low: 55° F/13° C

6-12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 60° F/16° C

W S

WEST PALM BEACH

High: 72° F/22° C Low: 63° F/17° C

MIAMI

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 59° F/15° C

7-14 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 73° F/23° C Low .................................................... 68° F/20° C Normal high ....................................... 77° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 65° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 81° F/27° C Last year’s low ................................... 62° F/17° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 1.23” Normal year to date ..................................... 0.81”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 66° F/19° C

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 65° F/18° C

KEY WEST

High: 71° F/22° C Low: 65° F/18° C

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 66° F/19° C

W S

8-16 knots

ANDROS

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

12:54 a.m. 1:01 p.m.

2.2 2.1

7:06 a.m. 7:23 p.m.

0.5 0.2

Thursday

1:46 a.m. 1:52 p.m.

2.2 1.9

8:04 a.m. 8:11 p.m.

0.6 0.2

Friday

2:40 a.m. 2:47 p.m.

2.2 1.8

9:04 a.m. 9:00 p.m.

0.6 0.2

Saturday

3:33 a.m. 3:42 p.m.

2.3 1.8

10:01 a.m. 0.5 9:51 p.m. 0.1

Sunday

4:24 a.m. 4:34 p.m.

2.4 1.8

10:55 a.m. 0.4 10:40 p.m. 0.0

Monday

5:12 a.m. 5:24 p.m.

2.6 1.9

11:43 a.m. 0.2 11:27 p.m. -0.1

Tuesday

5:57 a.m. 6:10 p.m.

2.7 2.0

12:28 p.m. 0.1 ---------

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:56 a.m. 5:46 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

11:49 a.m. none

First

Full

Last

New

Jan. 20

Jan. 28

Feb. 4

Feb. 11

CAT ISLAND

8-16 knots

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 67° F/19° C

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 65° F/18° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 69° F/21° C

8-16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 80° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 79° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 70° F/21° C Low: 51° F/11° C

made an industrial side of the Supreme Court. Because if you succeed, and the tribunal and the employer refuses to pay, then there is a lengthy process to recover judgments granted and owed to employees that is cost prohibitive.” He gave an example of an employee seeking to have the Industrial Tribunal enforce a $500 judgment. As it stands now, if the employer refuses to pay, the worker has to go to the Supreme Court to make a case to have that $500 judgment enforced or “converted.” This can cost them up to $2,500 just to recover $500 in a “regressive” process.

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 70° F/21° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

10-20 knots

8-16 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:

WINDS N at 6-12 Knots NW at 4-8 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots NNE at 8-16 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NNE at 7-14 Knots NNE at 4-8 Knots N at 6-12 Knots NW at 4-8 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NNE at 8-16 Knots NNE at 7-14 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots

WAVES 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-7 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 4-8 Feet 4-8 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 76° F 76° F 72° F 70° F 78° F 78° F 78° F 79° F 76° F 76° F 73° F 72° F 76° F 76° F 80° F 80° F 78° F 78° F 76° F 76° F 76° F 76° F 78° F 78° F 77° F 77° F