PLP Welcomes Increase, Concerned About Jobs

May 16, 2017

“The PLP welcomes the news of an increase in air arrivals and visitor spending, but we remain concerned that the tourism sector continues to see Bermudian jobs decline,” PLP spokesperson for Tourism & Entrepreneurship Jamahl Simmons said.

Jamahl Simmons Bermuda May 16 2017

Yesterday the BTA announced, “Between January and March 2017, leisure air arrivals grew 19 percent year-over-year and air vacationer spending surged 30.5 percent.

“There have been 15 consecutive months of growth for the local tourism industry dating back to January 2016. The number of leisure air arrivals [21,702] is the highest since 2008, representing $26.3 million in estimated direct spending on-island.

The 2016 Q4 Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics released earlier this month said, “At the end of October 2016, there were 2,411 workers employed within the hotel industry. The level of employment decreased by 62 employees, representing 121 less Bermudians and an additional 59 non-Bermudians.”

Mr Simmons said, “The PLP welcomes the news of an increase in air arrivals and visitor spending, but we remain concerned that the tourism sector continues to see Bermudian jobs decline, while jobs held by non-Bermudians increase.

“In 2012, the OBA promised 2,000 jobs, yet since that time Bermuda has lost more than 2,000 jobs including 318 hotel jobs.

“With the America’s Cup ending next month, we hope there is a plan to build on these spending and arrivals numbers. However, increased air arrivals and increased visitor spending must begin to translate into jobs that pay a living wage for Bermudians.

“We cannot move forward together if the OBA’s economy continues to leave Bermudians behind.”

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Comments (43)

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  1. Francis says:

    Their negativity is astounding!!!

    • Wondering says:

      Is he for real?

      Bermuda’s hasn’t looked this promising since – um we’ll since BEFORE the PLP took over. Where is he getting his stats about unemployment! Or he just looking making up his own.

      He has had 4 years to come up with a plan and this is the best you can do! The PLPs OWN 2025 plan, the one that they recently announced says that they will take until 2025 (8 years) to turn things around even though things are on the upswing. So they themselves admit it will take them more than one term to get us back to where we were before they took over the last time but they are so critical of a government that inherited a mess and in four years I think they have done a pretty good job. Is the OBA perfect? No, but put them up against any four year period that the PLP was in power and compare, crime, tourism, economy, education, unemployment,construction and get back to me.

  2. Trump supporter says:

    And the PLP 2025 plan is …………………………………….

    • Wondering says:

      8 years long – but they are critical of the OBA of have don’t what “they could have done” in four. ??? Huh!!

  3. Francis says:

    Their negativity is astounding!!!! Bermudians need to apply! Up our game!!!

    • Onion Juice says:

      Bermudians do apply but are dicriminated against, ask Paula Cox.

      • wahoo says:

        Okay.
        Dear Paula Cox, can you write in and let us know what onion Juice is referring to? Also can you file a complaint with relevant department naming the company that discriminated against you?

        Respectfully,

        Wahoo

      • Yahoo says:

        Is she still unemployed?

      • aceboy says:

        The Cog? LOL The same woman, who as our finance minister claimed we were OUT of the recession in 2010? The one who takes 15 sentences that could easily be summarized in just one? Please…..

      • Navin Johnson says:

        after her performance who would want to hire Paula Cox?

      • Wondering says:

        LOL . Ask Paula Cox?! She was fired by the PLP as leader. YOU AND YOUR PARTY FIRED HER! In all fairness to her she was used by her party members and encouraged to run as Premiere so that she could be used as the scapegoat. You can’t make this stuff up!

  4. watching says:

    Many Bermudians are still losing jobs and those with jobs in hospitality are still working for wages that cannot sustain a family. Something needs to give. These numbers are great but until they translate into jobs and a living wage, then they aren’t really doing much for the people of Bermuda.

    • iHeart 441 says:

      Great point. Its the owners who are benefiting more financially by hiring cheap labour.

      • frank says:

        The Oba do not care

        • wahoo says:

          Well if the plp cared they would have done something when they were the government…They certainly made sure a select few were okay and screwed the rest of us.

  5. BLIND SHEEP says:

    Being the country is in election mode. I will like to see the numbers behind this claim. Please let this be a campaign about facts.

  6. NCM says:

    More hot air and zero substance from the UBP, sorry, NLP, or is he independent? What about the 5,000 jobs lost under the PLP?

  7. Comfortably numb says:

    The only Bermudians being left behind are those happy to live off Financial Assistance, those who fail to improve their education and /or skills and those who fail to show up on time and with a good attitude for interviews.

  8. LongBay Trading Inc. says:

    PLP peddling like crazy to stay relevant. The better the figures look the more peddling they are doing!!
    Anyone with eyes and ears just need only to look around them. Bermuda is alive and well and people are working and earning. Thank you OBA.!!!
    OBA – ALL THE WAY !!!!!!!!!!!

    • Onion Juice says:

      Certain people that is.

      • the real Terry says:

        Yes O J the people who want to work

        • rumsoak says:

          Thank you

        • Wondering says:

          OJ. Most people want to work and earn their money. Others just want a paycheck. Big difference, and if you don’t know what that difference is, well lets just say you probably are one of those that just want a paycheck. Those Bermudians make me sick because they make the rest of look bad.

          Even colonel Burch used to complain about it. Why do you think the hustle truck idea fail and lead to zero jobs during the PLP years? Huh.

      • Just the facts says:

        Yea, people with the desire to work even if it means starting at entry level. That’s what you mean by “certain people,” right?

  9. wahoo says:

    Living wage unfortunately will lead to higher costs at hotels and restaurants which are already considered very expensive. We need to encourage more billionaire visitors who will pay these higher prices.

    • Just the facts says:

      Agree. It will also lead to businesses like mine having to reduce their workforce (i.e.: Bermudians losing jobs) in order to make payroll.

  10. sandgrownan says:

    Yawn.

  11. Ra's al Ghul says:

    Maybe if Jamahl didn’t tweet “What would happen if we stopped shooting each other and started putting bullets in the heads of those who hate us and won’t hire us” there would be more investor confidence on the island.

  12. Joe Bloggs says:

    “In 2012, the OBA promised 2,000 jobs, yet since that time Bermuda has lost more than 2,000 jobs including 318 hotel jobs.”

    Please will you explain your maths. Are you talking about more than 2,000 redundancies without taking into account new jobs created or are you saying that the net number of jobs in Bermuda now is more than 2,000 less than in December 2012?

    According to the Bermuda Department of Statistics, there were 40,213 jobs filled at December 2008. That number fell to 35,443 by December 2012. The most recent statics I have seen are for 2015, which show a loss of a further 2,000 jobs (33,319 jobs filled), but the Immigration Minister announced yesterday that over 1,000 new work permits have been granted for AC35 and the airport, so clearly the 2015 numbers are inaccurate.

  13. Mistah Fistah says:

    Who is going to be the head shot photo next to the pre-written statement for tomorrow? I’m not buying any of this spin.

    • inna says:

      Lovitta and how the OBA has failed the country with our education system (albeit this is something that i can agree with but gets muffled in their constant barrage of negativity).

      Or Renee about how the St. Regis hotel is going to ruin St. Georges.

    • Wondering says:

      Up next Roban

  14. Common Sense says:

    The worst problem the PLP have in getting elected is their record when they were the government. Thinking Bermudians remember the incompetence and greed. The COI is evidence of this.

  15. Bandit says:

    PLP same song second verse…time and time again jobs in the tourism industry are offered to Bermudians but they don’t want to do the hard work involved to keep our visitors happy. I know this industry well.

  16. PLPNA says:

    Vote PLP back in – tourism and employment number will head downhill real fast cuz putting “the fox back in charge of the hen house always ends badly”…

    • free gas says:

      sadly the positive momentum by the OBA would continue for quite a few years before the mismanagement of the PLP would take hold. So for a short while if they did get in people would be fooled into thinking it was the PLP’s hard work, when in actual fact they were riding off the success of the OBA.

      Remember this happened when the PLP took over from the UBP also, they inherited a country with minimal debt and a healthy economy and they managed to ride it till the damage was too great.

  17. aceboy says:

    Well it’s official. The PLP’s official spokesman has spoken.

    Well done PLP. What would this island do without your list making and delegation skills?

  18. Rebecca says:

    Maybe there are still Expats working on closed positions but that is to Immigration to fix that problem,. Start looking in retail stores.

  19. Just wondering says:

    Do they say how many of these tourism jobs were given to ex pats DESPITE there being qualified Bermudian applicants?? I suspect the answer is NONE!! If Bermudians don’t apply for the jobs we can’t complain when they go to overseas workers

  20. Not An Ignorant Fool says:

    It gives me headaches reading all of this ignorant banter. Right now I am sipping tea, but here I shall spill for you all some wisdom and guidance. Many Bermudians yes may not be employed in the tourism sector. Why you may ask? Because they lack the qualifications needed for the job. A simple Bachelors degree in this day age just simply doesn’t cut it, and Bermudians simply and constantly always miss that mark. Research certifications in any field you are going into. Then seek for employment and come back to me.

  21. Janice says:

    The keep talking about jobs where are the figures and who monitors every new job ?

  22. sick and tired says:

    Ok PLP, if the OBA isn’t getting jobs for Bermudians, what is stopping you from doing it now. All talk no action. Show the OBA how it is done. You go out and get all the unemployed working. Put up or shut up.