The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) and the Bahamas Doctors Union (BDU) officially signed a new Industrial Agreement at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, May 23, 2025. This agreement reaffirms their shared commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare for all Bahamians. Standing from left showing a copy of the agreement: The Minister of Labour and the Public Service the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle; Deputy Managing Director, PHA, Dr. Keva Thompson; President, BDU, Dr. Camille Glinton-Thompson and Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville. (BIS Photo/Llonella Gilbert)
NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville said the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) is proud to formalize an industrial agreement with the Bahamas Doctors Union (BDU), reaffirming their shared commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare for all Bahamians.
“Labour partners are essential to the success of the public healthcare system, and the PHA remains dedicated to open, transparent, and respectful dialogue with all unions,” the Health Minister said during the signing of the industrial agreement at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, May 23, 2025.
He explained that the agreement reflects the PHA’s recognition of the evolving needs of the country’s medical professionals, ensuring fair and competitive working conditions.
Dr. Darville said this agreement includes salary increases for all BDU members, with additional increments in years three, four, and five, ensuring that physicians are fairly compensated for their critical role in healthcare delivery.
“The ministry of health and wellness values the dedication of our physicians and remains committed to continuous engagement with the BDU to address future challenges and opportunities.
“Together, we will uphold the highest standards of patient care while fostering a supportive and equitable work environment for our healthcare professionals.”
The Minister of Labour and the Public Service the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle; Deputy Managing Director, PHA, Dr. Keva Thompson; President, BDU, Dr. Camille Glinton-Thompson and President, the Bahamas Trade Union Congress (TUC), Obie Ferguson were among those attending the signing.
The Labour minister said this agreement reflects the government’s continued resolve to ensure that the country’s legislative process is adhered to in terms of industrial agreements and to ensure that healthcare professionals are valued, respected and supported through meaningful dialogue and structured negotiation.
She said, “Today’s signing is not only a victory for industrial harmony, but also shows our renewed commitment to better healthcare delivery for our Bahamian people.”
She explained that this agreement is retroactive and effective from 2001 up to June 30, 2026.
The Labour Minister noted that negotiations had been on-going since 2018.
“This means that we get back to the table immediately, because we have been moving in a direction as a Labour Department and Labour Ministry to ensure that we are not waiting for agreements to expire. We are being proactive.”
The BDU President said, “The BDU stays committed to fighting for and negotiating amicably for the needs of the junior doctors and this is a milestone. Our last industrial agreement was signed in 2018.”
She added, “We really had some milestones in this particular industrial agreement that we are very proud of as a new executive body.”
Some of these milestones include changes to the group medical insurance, addition of maternity leave and minor amendments that needed to be included in the industrial agreement.
The agreement covers all the junior doctors which numbers about 350.
