Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis has introduced wage will increase for center administration public servants to take impact on the finish of June, with broader raises between two to eight p.c for the rest of the general public service coming in September 2025. He additionally unveiled plans to develop medical health insurance protection for all authorities workers.
Throughout his contribution to the 2025/2026 price range debate within the Home of Meeting yesterday, Mr Davis stated the federal government had accomplished the primary part of its wage evaluate, which centered on center administration and above.
“This second part will carry wage changes of two to eight p.c for the rest of the general public service, a significant step to assist restore buying energy misplaced to inflation whereas additionally selling equity, retention, and morale throughout the general public sector,” he stated. “The second part shall be applied in September 2025.”
The announcement was met with loud cheers and desk-thumping from authorities members within the Home.
Mr Davis additionally confirmed a major improve in worker advantages, stating:
“We’re additionally increasing the medical health insurance protection for all authorities workers. This initiative will present broader safety for our public officers, cut back out-of-pocket medical prices, and enhance general entry to healthcare for many who serve our nation.”
He reiterated that the prescription drug profit shall be moved from the Nationwide Insurance coverage Board (NIB) to the Nationwide Well being Insurance coverage (NHI) programme. This transition shall be supported by an upgraded IT system aimed toward enhancing effectivity, making certain non-public insurers meet obligations, and easing strain on the general public purse.
The bulletins comply with the Davis administration’s dedication final yr to deal with low public sector wages. At the moment, $10 million was allotted to the Ministry of Finance for a complete wage evaluate protecting sectors like schooling, healthcare, regulation enforcement, and customs.
The nation’s wage invoice had risen to $629 million, pushed largely by union agreements, worker promotions, and classification reforms. Moreover, the Ministry of Labour and Public Service carried out its first service-wide promotional train in over 9 years in July 2023, at a price of $18 million.
Mr Davis’ newest replace underscores his administration’s pledge to spend money on the nation’s public workforce whereas selling long-term sustainability and improved service supply.
