NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Davis yesterday said he was dissatisfied by the response to the inclusion of greater than 30 grocery items to the worth control list.
Nonetheless, the prime minister expressed optimism ahead of meeting with business owners who’re concerned about how the proposed minimum wage increase will affect their operations.
“I’m dissatisfied in those things but I’m not going to deal with that. I’ll speak with them hear what they must say and see what happens from there,” Davis said.
The Bahamas Price Control Commission’s price control expansion inclusive of 38 grocery items was said to further fall on the shoulders of food store owners, lots of them publically threatening to take certain items off the shelf and lay off quite a few employees.
Davis said he’s looking forward to partnering with businesses to bring relief to the people of The Bahamas.
“The federal government has been carrying so much to be sure that not much burden on them and we have now gone so far as we will and we’re in search of people to partner with us, wholesalers; and I trust I’ll find a way to steer them, understand what is occurring and why we want to do, what we’re going to do.”
The business community has began voicing concerns after the Prime Minister announced the minimum wage increase from $210 to $260 per week last Monday during his national address.
