Senators debated and passed the Foreign Services Bill on Monday. Debate was led by Minister of Economic Affairs and leader of Government business, Sen. Hon. Michael Halkitis.

During his contribution Halkitis highlighted the retention of benefits for civil servants currently working in the foreign service. He said, “the bill very clearly lays out that there will be no loss or no reduction of any benefit particularly as it relates to pension.”

The bill was seconded by Sen. Hon. Barry Griffin who spoke to the importance of foreign policy to The Bahamas. “Foreign policy is not the luxury preserved for the world’s superpowers. It is a necessity for every nation big or small. It is the bridge that connects us to opportunities, the shield that protects us from global threats and the tool that allows us to amplify our voice on the international stage.”

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Minnis administration, Senator Darren Henfield pointed out some of the challenges of the foreign service. Henfield spoke of the expense of educating the children of Bahamians stationed abroad. He said, “in 2021-2022, we had something like $182,966 in educational allowances which moved by 2022-2023 to just under $1 million. What are you going to do with the ones that have five children abroad now? Are you going to recall them?”

The Foreign Services Bill establishes the Department of Foreign Service headed by a director general. It also provides for the qualifications and hierarchy of diplomatic and consular officers and established the Foreign Service Committee.