Bahamas Government to increase fines on security firms hiring non-nationals

The Bahamas government is taking strong action against private security firms that are illegally hiring non-Bahamians. The government plans to hold a stakeholder seminar on Friday to address employment violations in the security industry.

According to Paul Jones, Chief Counsel in the Ministry of National Security, there are concerns that several non-Bahamians may be working in the sector, which is supposed to be reserved for Bahamians. Companies that are found to be hiring non-Bahamians or unlicensed personnel could face fines ranging from US$500 to US$2,000. Jones said the intention of the seminar is to emphasize compliance with the Inquiry Agents and Security Guards Act and Regulations and that it will also discuss allowing security guards to carry firearms while on duty.

“There is a possibility. This seminar would give us an opportunity to also hear from them, and so that we can put forward certain recommendations to cause certain things to come into being. They’re the actual practitioners,” Jones said, adding “the police rely on them to be able to report to them suspicious situations and activities around schools”. Currently, under the law only Bahamian citizens are eligible for employment as security guards or inquiry agents and Jones said there may be exceptions for foreigners being granted spousal permits leading to citizenship.