Parliamentary Human Rights Committee - pictured sitting from left: MP for St. Anne’s, Adrian White; Minister of Labour and the Public Service the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle; Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Sen. the Hon. Michela Barnett-Ellis; Sen. the Hon. Erercia Hepburn-Forbes; and Bahamas Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Her Excellency Leslia Miller-Brice.
NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Minister of Labour and the Public Service and member of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle said the committee recognizes that effective human rights protection depends on a well-supported and adequately staffed social services system.
“Consultations have proven that there is a severe lack in regard to human resources to support the work in the area of social services,” the Labour Minister said during a press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, May 26, 2026, to highlight the committee’s work to date, key issues it has addressed as well as its goals for the year ahead as it continues efforts to strengthen human rights in the country.
She said that as a result the committee will work to recommend solutions that will assist:
- Recruitment and training of additional social workers and specialists to manage the increasing demand for services, particularly in family support and crisis intervention.
- Recruitment of more child protection officers to reduce unsustainable caseloads and ensure swift and sensitive responses to the needs of children.
- Direct educational grants and programmes towards careers in social work.
“In conclusion, these reforms will represent a decisive step toward a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate Bahamas. One where rights are protected, dignity is preserved and every citizen is given the tools and support to thrive.”
The Labour Minister said the committee has identified and begun reviewing several pieces of legislation with the aim of strengthening the human rights and dignity of the vulnerable and underserved groups across the nation.
She explained that through consultations with various stakeholders, the Committee has identified an immediate area on which to focus its attention and make appropriate recommendations for implementation, enactment or amendment.
“We have heard the cry for the implementation of the Protection Against Violence Act 2023, and the Ombudsman Act 2024, and are actively ensuring that these important pieces of legislation that contribute to the realization of our human rights are implemented.”
The Minister said the committee has noted that various needs arise with reference to laws concerning children. It has identified certain aspects of the Children Protection Act that require amendment. One of which includes the provisions for Care Orders for 17-year-olds, closing a critical gap in the nation’s current framework for youth in transition.
She added that the Protection and the Care of Older Persons Bill is near completion. This legislation is designed to uphold the rights and welfare of elderly citizens and ensure dignity in aging. The committee will therefore continue to engage with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that this Bill becomes law, and that it addresses concerns of one of the country’s vulnerable groups. (BIS Photos/Patrice Johnson)
