But he said that if this economy is to continue to survive globalisation or any form of free trade, its labour force has to concentrate on enhancing productivity and having a fierce desire to be competitive.
“The Bahamas runs on a service economy,” Mr. Ferguson told the media at a press conference Wednesday at the TUC office on Wulff Road.
Also attending the press conference was Frank Maresca, Country Representative for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), one of the major sponsors of ILC.
Mr. Maresca said that he was impressed with the level of participation, not only with speakers who were very knowledgeable, but also with the positive responses from their audiences.
He said that while there were many opinions on the FTAA on what it would effect and what it would not effect, at the end of the conference, he concluded that there were some commonalties irrespective of what position that was taken on the substances given.
“The main thing that struck me was that civil society really wanted to be heard,” Mr. Maresca said. “I believe the Government is hearing them because they seem to be very receptive to them. A good basis has been laid to follow up with the Government and to support their efforts as the negotiations proceed.”
The recent ILC concluded that “for far too long, social injustice and people centered development have been absent in the debates and negotiations on free trade liberalisation,” Mr. Ferguson said.
In his capacity as conference chairman, Mr. Ferguson said it was clear from the numerous questions at the ILC on the FTAA, that The Bahamas and other developing nations are concerned that globalisation and free trade will mean the destruction of the environment, of quality jobs and result in growing unemployment.
Moreover, he said that the TUC is concerned that Bahamian workers will see globalisation and free trade as a mechanism for displacement of the Government’s role in the economic and social responsibilities, as a result of the increasing power being manipulated by multinational corporations who seek more profits at the expense of and to the detriment of The Bahamas national development and sovereignty.
Expressing his concerns on this issue Mr. Ferguson also said that for a growing number of Bahamians, globalisation and free trade have become synonymous with uncertainties, fears and mostly negative points of view than the positive.
He also stated that the Bahamian economy is sluggish and is in need of a definitive recovery path. And, that the time to conduct a fundamental reform in the country’s socio-economic system and to act with due speed in responding to globalisation is now.
He said like himself, many persons came out of the conference with more knowledge about the FTAA treaty.
Thanking the Government for its role in the conference and its timely input on what he termed as the most important area of the country, Mr. Ferguson said the ILC on the FTAA has received and continues to receive wide acclaim for its organisation, educational materials presented and for its diverse array of highly qualified expert and local international speakers.
Furthermore, Mr. Ferguson said based on the ILC success, a request has been for the TUC to host a similar conference on the FTAA in Grand Bahama, where they can work as a resource centre for information on the FTAA and issues pertaining to globalisation and trade.
When questioned about having informative seminars in the Family Islands, Mr. Ferguson said that the TUC is obligated to ensure that seminars on the FTAA are received there as well.
“For every Bahamian wherever, we have to find a formula to reach these people so that they can understand what it is all about.”
He said that publications would also be made available to the schools and local councillors so that every person on the Family Islands can become knowledgeable about the FTAA agreement and the various discussions that are taking place that will affect decisions for the country to join.
To enforce its initiative, the TUC has committed itself to a 12-year comprehensive educational programme so that no Bahamian worker would be left behind. To this end, a draft system will be presented to all workers to participate in the programme.
By Lisa Albury, The Nassau Guardian
