The Bahamas Brain Drain

The Bahamas needs to improve its educational system to mitigate the brain drain and improve human capital

By Jamal Moss

Nassau, The Bahamas

Employment and Labor Market in The Bahamas

The challenges of Bahamian labor markets comprise various complex issues that affect the strength of its economy.  This article delves into three critical issues: brain drain in The Bahamas, wage employment of foreign workers to Bahamian workers in quality jobs, and measures to build up the middle class in the wake of taxation and inflation.

Thus, these issues are noted, and corresponding gradual commonsense changes are suggested, considering the nature of the Bahamian labor market and possible directions for its development.  First, I wish to focus on the brain drain problem affecting The Bahamas and offer incremental solutions.

Brain Drain in the Bahamas

The Bahamas faces the challenge of brain drain where educated and profound personnel migrate from the country to other developed countries where they are well rewarded.  The issue deprives the government of human capital, which is crucial in the country’s development process.  This situation is critical since high levels of unemployment, particularly among our youthful population, compel such brains to migrate in search of opportunities elsewhere.

The Bahamas has to promote educational opportunities, provide favorable working conditions, improve job procurement services, and encourage those who left to return home.  Our island nation has to retain talented people and attract gifted individuals necessary for the country’s development.

Every year, an average of 5000 students leave high school, and university graduates get to seek higher education in other countries.  Hence, there are not enough jobs or poorly paid according to their education level waiting for them.  The Bahamas should advance educational rights, demonstrate employers’ benevolence, and augment job assistance.  The Bahamas has to keep the human capital and draw skilled people, which is essential for the country's progress.

Incremental Solutions

The Bahamas needs to improve its educational system to mitigate the brain drain and improve human capital.  Financing in higher education institutions and vocational training centers will help provide quality education and training (The Nassau Guardian, 2023).

Having linkages with other institutions worldwide for exchange programs can help learners gain international benchmarks and retain talent by providing the best learning environment within their country.  Such an approach will enhance the quality of learning and place the Bahamian qualifications in parity with the international standards, making Bahamian graduates more marketable within and outside The Bahamas.

It is significant to establish a favorable working atmosphere.  Enhancing working conditions and pay will make local markets for jobs more appealing.

Bonuses such as medical coverage, pension and perks etc increase morale and, thus, worker retention.  This helps in enhancing The Bahamas government guarantee its professionals have access to such crucial benefits (Watson & Gustave, 2022).

By these possible commonsense solutions, The Bahamas can increase the attractiveness and support of its labor force so that it would not be tempted to work in another country.  Focusing on the staff’s growth and encouraging them to participate in various courses and seminars is beneficial and results in a more devoted and loyal human capital.

Another essential strategy is enhancing employment placement services.  Improving job placement and career counselling services will be necessary to match those graduating with appropriate jobs within the country.

People can use technological advancements to develop a central database for employment vacancies.  Encouraging Bahamians living in other countries to return home, tax relief, relocation allowance, and preferential employment would enhance recruiting qualified staff.

Other convincing cases regarding people becoming returnees may also encourage others to do the same, ultimately benefiting the country’s talent pool and overall progress.  We cannot continue to allow our young fresh minds to slip through our hands so easily like sand.  We must be intentional in fixing this leak. 

Source

Foreign Labour versus Bahamian Labour in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas - By Jamal Moss>>>

The National Insurance Board (NIB) and the growth and development of the modern Bahamas

In its 40 Years, NIB has Fueled National Growth

By Gena Gibbs:


NASSAU, The Bahamas – In his address of the National Insurance Board’s 40^th Anniversary Church Service at Evangelistic Temple on Sunday, Minister of Labour, National Insurance and the Public Service, the Hon. Shane Gibson illustrated the significant role NIB has played in the overall growth and development of The Bahamas.

He expounded saying, “we’ve not only assisted with the benefits paid to contributors, we’ve assisted in building dozens of clinics all over The Bahamas.  We’ve assisted in constructing many Government facilities.  We’ve assisted with unemployment benefits.  And we are now on the way to introducing a National Health Insurance scheme, which would mean universal healthcare for all Bahamians, throughout the length and breadth of The Bahamas.”

Acknowledging the significant milestone of 40 years, Minister Gibson said: “We pause to reflect on and access the National Insurance Board as an Institution, as a movement, and as a foundation pillar of our modern Bahamas.”

NIB was created to administer the country’s social security programe, and first opened its doors on October 7, 1974.   Minister Gibson outlined its history and development since then, noting that Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, also present at the service, was the third Minister of National Insurance, and among the first Ministers appointed to National Insurance during the period of 1977 to 1982, just three years after the program was introduced.

Mr. Gibson stated: “In the historical context of The Bahamas, this was the immediate post Independence period when expectations in the social, economic and political context were very high.  It was a time when the Government of the Bahamas had to be seen to be delivering on the promises and aspirations that drove the movement to Independence.

“But as history has proven, time and again, political freedom gained from a struggle is not an end in itself, but rather a means to an end.  In The Bahamas, we dreamt of and aspired to education for all of our people, access to basic healthcare, non-discrimination in employment opportunities, and social mechanisms that would allow and give us some measure of dignity when things become rough, and a normal means to earn an income uninterrupted.”

Minister Gibson said that to its credit, the Bahamas Government had seen the need for a comprehensive system of social security, and a small group of persons in The Bahamas was charged with developing a social security scheme that would provide some acceptable form of income replacement for workers of the country, and their dependents, from the cradle to the grave.

“And this work was completed with the passage of the National Insurance legislation in 1972.  I think the point of then and now would best illustrate the phenomenal growth of the scheme.  At the start of the various programs under the National Insurance, short-term benefits were paid at a maximum rate of $54 per week, long-term benefits were paid at a rate of $26 per month, and funeral benefits, one-time payment, was $200,” said Minister Gibson.

“Old age, non-contributory pension, which was paid when insufficient or no contributions had been made, was $26 per month.  At the end of its first three years, National Insurance had collected some $58 Million in contributions; had paid out over $6 Million, as Benefits assistance; and had a reserve fund of some $52 Million.

Minister Gibson said that no one at the time could imagine how significant NIB would grow to become over the years.

“Today, in contrast to its humble, but ambitious beginnings, NIB at the end of its last financial year 2013 had accumulated reserves of some $1.6 billion.  Its contribution income for the same year was reported at $229 million.  While its benefits expenditure for 2013 was some $222 million,” said Minister Gibson.

“It also realized an investment of some $86.3 million during the period.  Additionally, maximum monthly long-term benefits and weekly short-term benefits payments have increased on average of 63-fold and seven-fold respectively, since 1972.” 

For its achievements, Minister Gibson congratulated the employees of NIB, “in particular those long serving employees who would have made a significant contribution over the years.  And even though persons may say they were well rewarded, I can tell you they have made many sacrifices in making sure that you get the quality service that you do get from NIB.  And so we thank them and we congratulate them.”

Minister Gibson then introduced Prime Minister Christie as one of the most socially conscious Prime Ministers in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas over the last 40 years, who has been there from the beginning and like NIB, is also celebrating 40 years serving the Bahamian people.

Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Vaughan Cash welcomed NIB Board members, executive management, honourees, and staff attending the service to launch National Insurance Week.

October 07, 2014

Bahamas.gov.bs

The Bahamas Infant Mortality Rate Increases

Official Opposition Leader, Hubert Ingraham raised alarm over The Bahamas Infant Mortality Rate increase by stating that efforts by his administration drove the infant mortality rate from more than 24 per thousand live births to below 12.

"We expected to bring it to single digits by 2004," he said.  "Instead, under this neglectful government it has risen again to 19 per thousand live births.  Why are we moving in reverse?"

Infant Deaths Climbing

By Candia Dames

Nassau, The Bahamas

26 April 2006

Statistics from the Ministry of Health’s Information and Research Unit confirm a recent claim made by Opposition Leader Hubert Ingraham that the country’s infant mortality rate is on the way up.

Mr. Ingraham raised alarm over the increase Monday night saying that efforts by his administration drove the infant mortality rate from more than 24 per thousand live births to below 12.

"We expected to bring it to single digits by 2004," he said.  "Instead, under this neglectful government it has risen again to 19 per thousand live births.

Why are we moving in reverse?"

The infant mortality rate is considered internationally to be a sound indicator of a nation’s health and development.

Information from the Ministry of Health, however, does not provide any evidence to show that the figure has risen to 19.  The most recent data available is for the year 2004 when the rate was 17.3 deaths per 1,000 births, up from 12.7 deaths per 1,000 in 2001.

Minister of Health Dr. Bernard Nottage was not available yesterday to comment on the matter, as Tuesday is a day when the Cabinet meets most of the day.  But in a press statement issued early yesterday, he responded to Mr. Ingraham’s claim by saying only that there is no connection between the infant mortality rate and a shortage of vaccines.

No other health official would return the Journal’s calls yesterday either, but the Journal was able to obtain a copy of what is reportedly the minutes of a meeting of health officials that took place on Friday.

In the minutes, a senior nursing officer stated that the meeting had been called to discuss the minister’s mandate to strategize ways to reduce the infant mortality rate and the maternal mortality rate "as both were on the rise".

Officials reportedly plan to convert the Blue Hill Road Clinic into a Child Health facility, while Flemming Street Clinic will be converted into a Women’s Health Clinic, run by midwives.

The senior nursing officer quoted in the minutes impressed upon the midwives that should the need arise, they should inform persons inquiring about the vaccine shortage that supply should be available in about two weeks.

She said that the midwives should explain that the government does not owe any money for vaccines, but that there was a misunderstanding between the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which has since been cleared up.

In its statement to the press yesterday, the Ministry of Health acknowledged that there is a shortage of supply of the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine due to an error in the billing by its suppliers.

The ministry said through no fault of its own, the suppliers had failed to send an invoice for some $865 and held up the latest order when they did not receive payment.  It is this mistake, the ministry said, which was corrected as soon as it was discovered.

"I am happy to report, however, that an inventory has been carried out, which confirms that we do have in stock a supply of all vaccines, including MMR, although some individual clinics may not have supplies in their possession," Dr. Nottage reported in that statement.

"Additionally, there is a shortage of one of the components of the Pentavalent vaccine, and that is due to the fact that the manufacturer sent us supplies with differing expiration dates.  There is no shortage of Polio, Diphtheria, Pertussis or Tetanus vaccines, all of which are in adequate supplies."

Dr. Nottage indicated that his ministry had made arrangements to obtain those vaccines that were in short supply and expected the delivery of those vaccines yesterday, which should be available to the public today.

But as mentioned, the statement said very little about the infant mortality rate.

In the health meeting minutes, another senior nursing officer in response to queries from the midwives present regarding the shortage of family planning/contraceptive methods said that there were no monies available for the purchase of these methods.

She indicated that at present her unit had only one inject - able method and few oral methods available.  The senior nursing officer said she would seek permission to inform clients of the situation via mass media or by notices posted in the clinics to avoid a disclosure similar to that made by Mr. Ingraham regarding the vaccine shortage.