OBA: Goal To Increase Our Working Population
“It is imperative that the Government seek meaningful immigration reform that includes, as its goal, an increase in Bermuda’s working population,” Shadow Home Affairs Minister Sylvan Richards said, adding that “it is critical for the survival of our country.”
His comments follow after the release of the Bermuda’s Population Projections 2016 – 2026 Report, which indicated that from 2016 ‐ 2026, our population is projected to decrease from 63,791 to 63,680 and the proportion of seniors is projected to climb from 16.9% to 24.9%.
The report noted, “In 2016, the old‐age dependency ratio was 24.7 and by 2026 it is projected to soar to 39.9. This means that in 2026 there are expected to be 40 seniors [65 years and older] for every 100 people of working age [15‐64 years].
“During the same period, the youth dependency ratio is anticipated to slip from 21.9 to 20.8. Between 2016 and 2026, the total dependency ratio is expected to rise from 46.6 to 60.7. This measures the working age population’s ability to support persons under 15 years and 65 years and over.”
Chart extracted from the report:
Mr. Richards said, “Recently John Wight, the President of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, stated: ‘Statistically, every work permit-holder — or wealthy non-Bermudian resident — creates at least one job for a Bermudian.’ He continued: ‘For Bermuda to prosper, we need to look at our population issue from a balanced and informed perspective: we need a pragmatic approach to immigration.’
“Following on from him was Brian Duperreault who said: ‘We have to find a way to increase the number of permanent residents in Bermuda.’ Also confirming this sentiment is the Premier, David Burt, who has admitted that Bermuda’s resident population needs to grow.
“The recent economic indicators have been very discouraging – falling employment income, a fall in the volume of retail sales and a decline in GDP, a fundamental tool used to measure the health of the health of any economy.
“The overall problem Bermuda is experiencing is that there are not enough able people living and working in Bermuda, which has resulted in lower spending, more supply demand in the housing and real estate market, and lower tax revenues because less people are working.
“Taxes are one of the ways that Government revenue is increased and this revenue is then utilised to pay down the national debt, which is currently running at approximately $500,000 per day in repayments.
“On top of this, there are not enough babies being born to keep the population steady and we have an aging population. This has created further strain on the Government’s ability to fund its current expenses without having to borrow more money.
“Other than instituting a ‘baby bonus’, the only other remedy is to encourage the immigration of job creators and wealth creators to our island, and find ways to entice Bermudians living abroad to return home to live and work.
“This is a sensitive subject, but it is our reality – a reality that the OBA recognized, when we were Government. It is a problem that has to be addressed in order for Bermuda to survive.
“Immigration reform is a complex area with many moving parts. While, the PLP Government has promised comprehensive immigration reform, we have not had any updates as to what specific initiatives are currently being addressed, and we don’t know whether any meaningful reform in this area is truly in process.
“It is imperative that the Government seek meaningful immigration reform that includes, as its goal, an increase in Bermuda’s working population. It is critical for the survival of our country.”
Start with fair and rightful status for PRCs who have spent over 90% of their life in Bermuda.
We are simply sinking. What on earth is so difficult to understand ?
Our population is decreasing and that is simply horrendous for business and the island.
It has been said for years….Res Pop….resident population must increase.
Man are we slow to act as an island.
It is simply unbelievable. PRC’s should immediately become Bermudian. This is their home.
We need them and they want us. Now what’s the arguement?
Something racial I am sure.
The PLP are very busy doing NOTHING. That’s why they cannot keep promises.
YOU MUST BE CRAZY! MICHEAL FAHY’S STUPID IDEA COST THE OBA THE ELECTION. WHY DO YOU THINK WE DIDN’T RUN HIM AS A CANDIDATE LAST ELECTION!!!
PRCs are already living here and already working, and have been for many years. If they were given Bermuda status tomorrow, it would not increase the working population at all.
Government needs to first lay out a plan to encourage Bermudians overseas to move back, especially those who fled to the UK because they weren’t making it in Bermuda. We then need to look at a plan for ensuring that there is affordable housing here; otherwise, the price inflation on properties that comes with a growing population will just lead to further economic disparity and problems as it did before.
These two initiatives MUST go hand in hand with any discussion on Immigration reform, otherwise it will fail.
Sylvan this is the very reason the circus that you dance for got a kick in the a@# at the last election.
Your X Opposition Leader Jeanne Atherden publicly explained to the public through the media for weeks, that the oba/UBP was united and becoming strong again. A week later she was kicked out LOLOL.
Craig Trump became leader or the Jet Gate failed Premier as the people remember. Why should we trust you now?
Stop because we don’t trust oba/UBP!
But you trust the ones that havent created a single job yet? Broken pretty much every promise theyve made so far?
I see you choose to attack the people, rather than addressing the completely valid concern that they are trying to address.
2000 jobs would have sorted it init m8
1 job may produce 3 other jowbs. That is a deep thought if you are under de influence of titty milk though… Let that sink in… Ha ha ha!!
2000 jobs
would have
sorted it
init m8
How come you keep getting smilies? You narrow minded s&^%head.
Well said.
name calling WOW
That was a stupid promise – but I don’t see the plp creating any jobs at all!
Your ignorant goal was to destroy and liquify YOUR OWN PEOPLE for the benefit of “those other people.”
Ridiculous.
Keep this up and YOU WILL NEVER RETURN TO POWER.
Incapable of coherent thought. Look at the graphs and look at the debt. Think think about it.
That person is not capable of thought …
That is a racist comment wouldn’t you agree Lynne? Why can people not accept that others have differing political opinions and leave it at that? I might already know the answer but please chime in.
Good luck getting a response from CURB
Wow! What a bizarre comment!
@ straightforward – you keep this up and your children and their children will be living in abject poverty, or they will move to the UK and suckle at the tittie milk there.
Your choice.
It’s too late. The smart people and smart money are gone. Why would anybody want to stay in a place where common sense is the exception and envy is the rule? And that’s putting it mildly.
N’dein…your cost of living goes up fast as your taxes!
No end in sight.
But de adverage voter seems to like voting stupid…
Tell me something.
How many times has a construction worker…looked at wanted ads and seen application to be submitted to immigration advisory board.
And…
For those of you fortunate enough to find employment …how the hell are you treated…and why?….
Get Doc Brown to round up some more refugees. Would take ten of them if we could trade for Onion Juice.
Where is Larry Burchall when you need him? This is what Larry has been saying for years . BUT WE ONLY PUSH BACK AT HIM .We need to take our hat off to Larry for giving us a heads up years ago . So how can we achieve this with out creating fear in the Bermudian population ? Mr. Brown must share with us his vision of this NEW BERMUDA .Who will we invite to be Bermudians ? This is important to the future success of our country .
Thank you very much indeed…you are on time and not a minute too late.
I feel though…it is my obligation as a Bermudian construction worker to inform you and PLP that come next election Zi will be advertising for MP to better represent myself and anyone else who might agree and require a government that would see fit to better represent the constituency.
Be advised that a prequil submission “WILL” be required prior (prequil), to ballot boxing…shdow “OR” otherwise.
You may observe on Bermuda jobs board that all perspective MP will be required…by law…(unwritten)…to submit application for employment to Immigration advisory board.. there will be required sixty thousand refrences …and statement of objective to indigenous and guest residents who might have voting right (by law).
Resumes are to be hand written and are subject to vetting and Grammer is required to gce level English language and or Bermudianese diction.
Only ethicly sound and unbiased human beings need apply…Please note failure during tenure will not be tolerated and might lend to termination and deportation at no more than ninty days from determined fail…failure…
Ok sir why dont you start with them 2000 jobs you all promised. Wouldn’t that increase our working population? Or is it you all want your overseas family and friends to come over….
There were hundeds of new jobs under the OBA. And even now, up at the airport.
Not one single job created by the PLP.
Doesnt have to. He isnt gov anymore. Plp is. Tell em get to work.
One think I haven’t heard any party address is the high cost of just procreating on the island. It costs over 8000 just to have a damn BABY!!! That’s a problem and something must be done about that. If we had more births the population increases. All the Oba wants to do is bring in foreigners and push out the locals who have less i.e. GENTRIFICATION. Work on lowering the cost of having a baby and you will see progress..
..the stupid, it burns brightly in this one…..
The cost of having a baby is $8000? There is a problem with that rationale you are only thinking about the cost to get the thing born. To properly raise a child food, clothes education and time spent being a good parent would likely cost $1M if you tallied it all up. Of course you could have a baby and leave it up to government and financial assistance and perhaps a few charities but they are all short on cash so the kid would have a grim chance in life…..look around there are plenty of examples of that sitting on walls everywhere.
If you think having a baby is a one time expense you are ill equipped to be a parent.
Fornicating in the bushes worked out great….
You could always try waiting until you can afford children. Just a thought.
Mr Richards is right. Only total idiots can’t see that immigration means employment the whole way for all
Cannon going to make sure the OBA never gets in.