BAHAMAS-PM disappointed by industrial action taken by nurses.

NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis says he is disappointed that public healthcare nurses have taken industrial action over issues related to overtime payments.

You know, it’s disappointing. When I think of this government, this administration, and me in particular, recognising the value of nurses, recognising the sacrifices they make, and also recognising the fact that we are under siege by other jurisdictions to lure them away from their home jurisdiction,” Prime Minister Davis told reporters.

The issue of nurses’ overtime became a significant concern last week after the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) issued an internal memo to staff on January 14, advising that all overtime payments, effective from the January 2026 pay period, require approval from the managing director’s office before processing. Just over two million US dollars is owed to the nurses.

Union leaders said the directive effectively blocked overtime pay and disrespected staff already stretched thin by shortages.

But Davis said the overtime issue only came to his attention recently, and within that time, “we made the arrangements to pay them.”

He said it is unfortunate that the nurses reacted the way they did and that they should trust him and his administration.

PHA Deputy Financial Controller Ryan Bastian, who wrote the memo, said the action was necessary because the overtime budget was exhausted in September 2025.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville has questioned why the government was not alerted sooner that the PHA had run out of overtime funds, suggesting a breakdown in communication.

He said the payment delay is severe and that meetings have been held with PHA officials to resolve the issue.

Last Friday, Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) President Muriel Lightbourne said that public health nurses are “fed up and tired of being disrespected. ”

“They (nurses) don’t trust PHA simply because they’ve been promising to do things and have not yet done it,” she said.

The authorities are also concerned that nurses are leaving for greener pastures due to low wages, with both the BNU and the Bahamas Public Service Union president, Kimsley Ferguson, urging members not to work beyond their shifts until payments are made.

“The nurses’ resolve is that until they get their money, they will not go to work. That’s the resolve, said Lightbourne.