Frequently Asked Questions
 Questions from Employers
Questions from the General Public
Questions from Non-Bahamians
Answers to Employers
Do I need to pay an employee while he/she is on Jury Duty?
Yes. The Juries (Amendment) Act, 2006 provides for employees to be paid by their employers while they are on Jury Duty.
Although the amendment states that "any employee who is not sworn to serve as a juror remains liable to return to his place of employment until his further attendance at court is required" there is no mechanism in place at the Court to ensure that an absent employee is actually required to be in attendance at the Court.
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What are the requirements regarding time off for employees during general elections?
The Parliamentary Elections (Symbols and Time Off) Regulations, 2002 provides that employees who are registered voters be given two working hours off with pay for the purpose of voting. This requirement does not apply to employees who start work at or after 10:00AM or who knock off at or before 4:00PM.
Employers who contravene these provisions are liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months.
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Answers to the General Public
Can BECon help me find a job?
No. BECon is not an employment placement agency.
Help in finding a job can be obtained from the Bahamas Employment Exchange, a service provided by the Department of Labour. Alternatively a half dozen Employment Agencies are listed in the Yellow Pages telephone directory or you can find them online at the BTC Website.
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If I'm an employee, not an employer, will BECon answer my question on labour practice?
Yes. The Bahamas Employers Confederation believes strongly in the Rule of Law and will give the same answer to an employee as it would give to an employer when it comes to labour practice.
BECon encourages employers and employees alike to strictly adhere to law and contractual obligations in employer / employee relationships.
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Answers to Non-Bahamians
How can I obtain a job in The Bahamas?
Non-Bahamians are not allowed to work in The Bahamas without a Work Permit, and work permits are not issued to individuals, instead they are issued to companies. For example, if fictional company "Acme Bahamas Ltd." has a job vacancy they must put a help wanted advertise in the newspaper. If there is no response to the advertisement a Notification of Vacancy application is made to the Labour Department. If the Labour Department is unable to locate a suitable candidate the Notification of Vacancy Form is issued showing that no qualified Bahamian is available to fill the position. This form along with an Immigration Department questionnaire filled out by the non-Bahamian job applicant is sent to the Immigration Department along with the applicant's photographs, police record, medical certificate, copy of passport, written references from previous employers and copies of certificates/degrees showing the applicant to be qualified to fill the position. Once the Department of Immigration is satisfied that all the criteria have been met, a Work Permit is issued to Acme Bahamas Ltd. naming the person allowed to work in The Bahamas and the position he or she can hold. The applicant cannot be in The Bahamas during this process and Work Permits are not transferable.
It is very difficult for non-Bahamians to find a job in The Bahamas. Keep a lookout in the help wanted section of trade publications and/or check with large employment placement services to see if any Bahamian companies are looking for job candidates in your field of work.
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How can I set up a business or own shares in a Bahamian company?
Non-Bahamians are required to obtain approval from the Bahamas Investment Authority to hold any shares, from one share to 100% of the shares, in a company incorporated in The Bahamas. The Bahamas Investment Authority operates from the Office of the Prime Minister.
In order to be considered a complete project proposal using the guidelines established by the Bahamas Investment Authority would need to be submitted. Generally approvals are given only if the investor/company adds something unique to The Bahamas.
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