Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Workmen's Compensation (Accidents) Convention, 1925 (No. 17) - Bahamas (Ratification: 1976)

Article 5 of the Convention. In response to the Committee's previous comments regarding assurances as to of the proper utilization of the compensation paid in the form of a lump sum in the case of incapacity of less than 25 per cent, the Government states in its report received in 1998 that the recommendations arising out of the ILO's technical mission to the Bahamas are currently being reviewed by the National Insurance Board to enable the Government to take a position which would be consistent with national conditions. The Committee notes this information and requests the Government to kindly indicate in its next report any measures taken in this respect.

Article 7. The Committee recalls that since the Convention came into force in the Bahamas, it has been drawing the Government's attention to the need to include a provision in its legislation which will ensure additional compensation for injured workmen who require the constant help of another person. In this regard, the Committee notes that the Government has indicated in successive reports communicated since 1994 that it is considering amending the 1975 regulations issued under the National Insurance Act, 1972.

In its report received in 1998, the Government indicated that the National Insurance Board does provide financial assistance for the care of injured workmen who require constant help and that, as a rule, most expenses related to incapacity arising out of industrial accidents are met by the Board. The Committee notes this information with interest. It notes that the Government no longer appears to envisage amending current legislation and therefore requests the Government to kindly specify in its next report under which provisions of national laws or regulations the National Insurance Board provides for additional compensation to injured workmen who require the constant help of another person as stipulated by this provision of the Convention.