by Rick Lowe
CEO of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce is quoted in Monday’s Tribune Business as saying his office needs a very close relationship with the Government and because they are not “bashing” them it does not mean they are not holding them accountable. Read more here…
Informing the membership what they are expressing concerns to the government about is not “bashing” them. In fact that’s an obligation they take on by charging membership dues. They offer a service to the business community.
It was suggested, “The Chamber has a role to play,” and they are “doing that, and affecting changes in policy in the way” they “need to”.
In that case, would the Chamber provide a list of what they are presently negotiating with the Government on and what policies and regulations have been taken off the books as a result of their efforts?
How about a description of what holding the Government to account actually means?
The Chamber is not involved with national security matters and therefore should not be subject to non-disclosure agreements, so there is no reason to keep its membership in the dark.
If the Chamber is silent about what it is negotiating on behalf of its members, it gives the perception of capitulating to the government, and begs the question: what are members paying dues for?
