STATEMENT: Over the past several months, the Government of The Bahamas, through the Board and executive leadership of Bahamas Power and Light Company Limited (BPL), has engaged with the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union, the Bahamas Electrical Utility Managerial Union and other relevant stakeholders on the need for a more transparent, accountable and sustainable overtime system.
The Government recognizes that overtime is sometimes necessary to maintain reliable electricity service, respond to emergencies and protect public safety. However, an overtime bill approaching $20 million annually is unsustainable and unacceptable. It places an unreasonable burden on BPL’s finances and, ultimately, on the Bahamian people.
This reform is not intended to prevent legitimate overtime or deny employees compensation that is approved. Its purpose is to ensure that overtime is necessary, fairly allocated, properly authorized and fully documented. It is also intended to reduce excessive working hours and the fatigue-related risks they create for employees, their colleagues and the public.
The approved overtime policy introduces important checks and balances, including:
- Prior approval for planned overtime and at least two levels of authorization for all
overtime submissions; - Supporting reports and documentation for emergency overtime;
- Accurate clock-in, clock-out and timekeeping requirements;
- Monthly reviews of overtime expenditure against approved budgets;
- Overtime caps and management reviews where employees repeatedly reach those caps
or receive overtime payments exceeding established thresholds; - A clear link between approved work programmes and the overtime hours worked; and
- Fatigue protections requiring relief planning after 12 continuous hours, a maximum of
16 continuous working hours and mandatory rest before an employee resumes duty.
These measures are necessary to strengthen financial management, improve workforce planning and ensure that BPL’s resources are directed toward delivering safe, reliable and affordable electricity.
The Bahamas Power and Light is seeking to ensure that the unusual patterns and anomalies identified during the review of overtime practices do not recur. The review is focused on strengthening the system and its processes and is not intended to target individual employees.
The existing system has allowed overtime expenditure to grow to approximately $20 million annually, an unsustainable level that cannot be allowed to continue.
The new policy therefore establishes stronger checks and balances, clearer reporting requirements and accountability at every level. Managers and Directors will be specifically responsible for properly authorizing, documenting, monitoring and reporting overtime within their respective areas.
Any suspected irregularity will be examined fairly and objectively. Where wrongdoing, negligence or a failure of oversight is established, whether involving an employee, Manager, Director or other responsible officer, the appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law, applicable industrial agreements, company policies and due process. BPL will not prejudge any individual or draw conclusions before the relevant facts have been properly established.
The Government acknowledges the right of union leaders to express concerns about or opposition to the policy. It will not speculate about the motives of any union president or representative who disagrees with the policy. Constructive dialogue will continue, and legitimate concerns will be considered. Nevertheless, the Government has a responsibility to protect workers, safeguard public funds and ensure that BPL operates safely, transparently and in the national interest.
The approved overtime policy is therefore expected to be implemented consistently and fairly across BPL. The Government expects the cooperation of management, employees and union representatives in carrying it out.
The Bahamian people rightly expect transparency, accountability and value for money from public corporations. The Government remains committed to those principles and to building a safer, fairer and more financially responsible BPL.
