Day #1: 150 People Register As Unemployed
[Updated with video] In the Senate this morning [June 22] Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kim Wilson spoke on the recently launched Unemployment Registration Drive saying, “As at the end of the business day yesterday, approximately 150 persons had registered as “unemployed” online via the gov.bm website or had visited an unemployment registration station in their area.”
Noting that the “Ministry can only assist however if we know who’s unemployed,” Minister Wilson said she is “…renewing my appeal to all unemployed persons to register. I am eager to use the resources available to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to assist in every way possible to ensure that Bermudians are gainfully employed.”
There will be two ways for unemployed persons to register; online at www.gov.bm or in person at one of the temporarily registration venues which will be set up at various locations. The venues, date and time are below:
- June 22 – Harrington Workmen’s Club 4.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.
- June 23 – Devonshire Recreation Club 4.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.
- June 24 – Cathedral Hall 10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
- June 27 – Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club 4.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.
- June 28 – Warwick Workmen’s Club 4.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.
- June 29 – Somerset Cricket Club 4.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.
- June 30 – Heron Bay Market Place 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
- July 1 – Cathedral Hall 10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
Minister Wilson’s full Ministerial Statement is below:
Madam President, you will be aware that last week the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry launched an Unemployment Registration Drive with a view to registering Bermuda’s unemployed population.
The Unemployment Registration Drive commenced on Tuesday, June 21st and will run through Friday, July 1st.
Unemployed persons can register either online or by visiting one of several Unemployment Registration Drive stations throughout the island during the two week period.
Madam President, you will also be aware that the official unemployment rate in Bermuda is 4.5 percent. This data is in accordance with the 2009 Labour Force Survey.
The most recent Labour Force Survey was conducted as a part of the 2010 Census, however this information will not be available until later this year.
Madam President, several months ago I committed to explore various government channels to identify a reliable tool that would provide up-to-date unemployment statistics to enable the Government and private sector stakeholders to better plan, manage and address the needs of the unemployed segment of Bermuda.
The information gathered will assist with the further development of training, retraining and job placement programmes to better service the needs of the unemployed.
Madam President, over the past few months I have had the opportunity to talk to a number of unemployed persons in the community. Some while waiting in the lobby at the Department of Labour and Training, or via scheduled appointment in my office, others at the various jobs fairs and still others through my daily interactions with people in the street or in the grocery store or where ever fate will have us meet.
I am struck by the similarities of their stories, hard working Bermudians displaced as a result of company restructuring owing to economic conditions.
These are people from all walks of life Madam President.
As at the end of the business day yesterday, approximately 150 persons had registered as “unemployed” online via the gov.bm website or had visited an unemployment registration station in their area.
Today, Madam President I am renewing my appeal to all unemployed persons to register. I am eager to use the resources available to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to assist in every way possible to ensure that Bermudians are gainfully employed.
The Ministry can only assist however if we know who’s unemployed. It does not matter what area of industry people have been employed in the past – blue collar or white collar industries. It is imperative that all unemployed persons register.
Madam President, I will personally be on hand tomorrow, Thursday, June 23rd at 4pm at the Devonshire Recreation Club Unemployment Registration Station, where I and members of my team will talk to unemployed people in the community to learn more about the challenges they are experiencing in their job search efforts. I am committed to identifying practical solutions to assist them in their search.
The aim Madam President is to ensure that every Bermudian has an equal opportunity to work in their own country should they choose to do so. We recognize that part of the process involves working with industry to add jobs to the marketplace and this important work too is part of the process.
Thank you Madam President.
The counting of unemployed persons in Bermuda is all well-intentioned but the reality is we should be counting all the export containers leaving BERMUDA FULL. Meaning we should try to stem the flow of people leaving the island which in turn is the link to the unemployment crisis.
The questions should be: How many famililies are leaving the island? Why? What can we do as a country to keep people in Bermuda so that they help to bolster the economy that provides jobs for people in the retail, goods and services, grocery, utilities sectors. Come on Minister – toying around with unemployment stats is as futile as rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic as it is SINKING!
Anyone can check with Bermuda Forwarders, at last count they have a full book of at least 75 families ready to check out of Bermuda. Of course we will have unemployment. Unemployment is the symptom, dig deeper Minister to find the cause, and then as a new friend said to me: IMPROVISE, ADAPT and OVERCOME. (A phrase borrowed from their Marine Corps Dad)
ARGH!!!!!
If this is true, that 75 families are leaving Bermuda, that means there will be a lot of houses/apartments vacant. No rental income, no mortgage payments to the Banks. Foreclosures on many a homes will come. Bermudians hang on to your pantyhose cause there is going to be some even harder time coming if we don’t shape up.
Minor Matters, I am not at all surprised that families or individuals are leaving Bermuda – why shouldn’t they? Do you know what their reasons for leaving are? How do you know if these are Bermudians or not? They may be families of people who work for exempt companies whose jobs are being wound up here, therefore they have no choice but to go. But even if they are Bermudian families, why shouldn’t they leave if this place can no longer offer them what they need?
Bermuda is an expensive place to live. W
Minor Matters, I am not at all surprised that families or individuals are leaving Bermuda – why shouldn’t they? Do you know what their reasons for leaving are? How do you know if these are Bermudians or not? They may be families of people who work for exempt companies whose jobs are being wound up here, therefore they have no choice but to go. But even if they are Bermudian families, why shouldn’t they leave if this place can no longer offer them what they need?
Bermuda is an expensive place to live. We have an education system that has been failing for years; if you can’t afford a private school for your kids, what choice do you have? If you can’t find work here, in a job that you want, why stay? You pay high rents, high groceries, high everything. Crime has increased dramatically, and many people fear for their safety and the safety of their families. Hmmmm…sounds like good reasons to me for leaving.
Recently, one of the local banks did a survey of Bermudian students in Canada; the result was that many of them are not planning to come back here after they finish school, and I don’t blame them. How many entry level jobs do you see advertised in the paper? Countries like Canada and the UK have much more to offer. My husband and I moved back here last year. We are lucky to have jobs, but neither one of us are working in our chosen field which we trained for, not from lack of trying, but simply because the opportunities are not here. Porto Girl is right; there are harder times coming.
BIU is to blame its true
They ruined our tourism – Boo!
They’re going on strike
I’d best ride my bike
Sure they’re proud of their latest coup.
lol!! lovin your rhymes!
THe unions have done great things for workers rights around the world…but once they become too powerful for their own good and call strike at every chance just because they can (ie Ferryboat operators under the influence…verbably abusive bus drivers…etc.) just because they have the sheer numbers to win..they untimately lose the respect of the general public the existing employers, potential future developers. Tough times like hese are great for employers that need to shed staff (especially unproductive ones) without touble. Hard to feel sorry for some of these guys and gals that have been milking the system and their companies for so long. I do feel sorry for the true victims…those tat have worked hard and honestly that have lost their jobs. May your resumes and character ferences help all of you to find a job you love soon.