A day after Prime Minister Perry Christie and Labour Minister Shane Gibson defended a government MP against claims of a conflict of interest, former Labour Minister Dion Foulkes called for her immediate resignation.
Earlier this week, South Beach MP Cleola Hamilton revealed that while she serves as parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Finance, she is also president of the Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) and vice president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Christie and Gibson said they see no conflict of interest in Hamilton’s position as she is not a member of the Cabinet.
However, Foulkes said there should be a clear distinction of trade unions, employers representatives and the government.
“To protect the integrity and stability of the labor movement in The Bahamas, it is absolutely imperative that Cleola Hamilton either resigns as a PLP MP and as a [parliamentary secretary] or she tenders her resignation as president of the nurses union and that of vice president of the TUC,” Foulkes said in a statement.
“Trade unionism in The Bahamas is based on the principle of clear and unambiguous independence between union leaders and employers. It is impossible to serve the PLP and be a loyal [parliamentary secretary], for which Ms. Hamilton took an oath, and also be faithful and loyal to the interest of nurses and the TUC.”
FNM Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis already expressed similar sentiments claiming that Hamilton is in a clear conflict.
However, Hamilton said she would not allow herself to be compromised.
Foulkes argued that there will be many occasions when the interests of the government will conflict with those of the TUC.
“It is well established in The Bahamas and internationally that industrial stability and harmony best occurs when the tripartite system is in full force and respected by all,” Foulkes said.
Foulkes noted that in 1999 the then Ingraham administration introduced the Tripartite Forum (TRIFOR) comprised of trade unions, employers’ representatives and the government.
“We again reintroduced TRIFOR in 2007 and to my knowledge it is still the policy of the government,” he said.
“Ms. Cleola Hamilton’s irreconcilable and conflicting official political positions and her trade union position contravenes the basic foundational principles of tripartism.”
By Travis Cartwright-Carroll
Guardian Staff Reporter
