Government

Last week, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Sen. the Hon. Owen K. Darrell, JP, joined Mosaic Insurance and local artists to paint a vibrant mural on the exterior wall of the Sammy Wilson Central Zone Community Centre (SWCZCC).

The outdoor creative project served several purposes; it helped to add vibrancy to the SWCZCC following a recent period of refurbishment; it’s in keeping with the “Public Art on Government Buildings” project; and it provided a way for the Mosaic Insurance team to give back to the community.

The Employment (Minimum Hourly Wage) Order 2023 (the “Order”), which comes into effect on 1 June 2023, will see the first national minimum hourly wage rate set at $16.40, benefitting all low-income earners. This monumental step ensures employees in Bermuda have the right to a minimum wage. As highlighted in the 2020 Speech from the Throne, this Government is committed to ensuring employees receive a dignified wage.

Today, I am pleased to recognise International Workers Day and take this opportunity to inform the public of the newly created Department of Labour, which will replace the current Labour Relations Section of the Ministry of Economy and Labour.     

Today, the Head of the Public Service, Dr. Derrick Binns, announced the assignment of Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Lamb to the post of Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of National Security.

Lt. Col. Lamb’s assignment becomes effective May 9, 2023. 

Lt. Col Lamb joins the Ministry of National Security following his service as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and the Cabinet Office. He assumes his new role following the retirement of Mr. Christopher Farrow last week.

The Department of Marine and Ports Services summer ferry schedule will commence on Monday, 1 May 2023.

As the summer months get underway, the Department reminds the public that the ferry service remains a viable option for public transportation.

The Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason P. Hayward, JP, MP, will lead the Bermuda delegation at the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) annual conference held in Atlanta from April 30 – May 3, 2023. RIMS is the world’s largest community dedicated to advancing risk management.

The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation announced that the ever-popular Summer Day Camp (SDC) Programme will take place from July 3 – August 2, 2023.

And online registration for the 2023 Summer Day Camp programme opens on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 at 9:30 am via the www.sdcbermuda.bm website. Spaces are limited, and the cost for this year’s Summer Day Camp is $60 per week, per child. All payments can be made online. 

Today (26 April), The Registry General joins others in Intellectual Property across the world to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day, an opportunity to learn about Intellectual Property (IP) rights’ role in encouraging innovation and creativity.

World IP Day 2023, under the theme “Women and IP: Accelerating innovation and creativity”, celebrates the work of trailblazing women worldwide and raises awareness about why it is so important to encourage more women to participate in the IP system.

“The Ministry wishes all applicants every success as they continue their studies and encourages all eligible students to apply by the deadline,” said Minister of Health Kim Wilson, JP, MP, as the Ministry of Health opened applications on Monday for the prestigious Dr Barbara Ball Public Health Scholarship.

The scholarship is named in honour of Bermudian Dr Barbara Ball, a renowned public health physician who dedicated her life to improving the lives of the downtrodden.

The annual Peppercorn Ceremony will take place tomorrow, Wednesday April 26, 2023.

The public is encouraged to attend the annual ceremony to enjoy the tradition, pomp and pageantry featuring the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) guard on parade and the RBR Regiment Band and Corps of Drums.

The public can also follow live coverage of the ceremony, starting at 10.30 am on the Government’s FaceBook and YouTube pages, and on CITV (ch. 102 and ch. 2).

This year is the 21^st anniversary of the Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) which is being held April 22 – 29. And, every year as part of Vaccination Week of the Americas, more than 40 countries and territories in the Americas come together to recognise the significance of immunising and vaccinating their populations.

An exceptional effort is made to reach individuals who may not have consistent access to health services and people living in urban areas.

“This year, Disney Cruise Line has increased its visits to Bermuda from seven last year to 11 scheduled calls this season,” said the Minister of Transport, the Hon. Wayne Furbert.

“The transformation of the Botanical Gardens is near completion, and I want everyone to turn out to reconnect to one of Bermuda’s biggest cultural events,” said Acting Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Owen Darrell, JP, ahead of the start of the 80th AG Show taking place this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Minister Darrell extends his heartfelt appreciation to the Government employees and volunteers from the Skills Development Programme working tirelessly to prepare the Botanical Gardens for the iconic event that the Department of Parks is running.