BIU: “Proposal Shows The OBA’s True Colours”
[Updated with video + OBA response] The Union “strongly opposes” a proposal mentioned by the OBA’s Bob Richards which showed the “OBA’s true colours” indicating that they are for the “business owners and not the workers,” BIU President Chris Furbert said this afternoon [Nov 30].
Part of the OBA’s plan includes giving employers a two-year payroll tax exemption for all new Bermudian hires, which they said would serve to stimulate Bermudian jobs growth.
Mr Furbert said: “As President of the Bermuda Industrial Union I was shocked and appalled to hear the comments made last night on the news by the OBA’s Mr. Bob Richards.
“Mr. Richards said that the OBA’s payroll tax exemption would only include tax cuts for businesses who create jobs and not workers? So what Mr. Richards is saying is that workers would not get any relief but, their employers would?
Mr Furbert continued: “This would be grossly unfair. Giving tax breaks to their business friends while the workers bear the burden is just not right. It is unfair to provide giveaways to business owners while making our working and middle class people share the brunt of the taxes
“This proposal shows the OBA’s true colours. It shows that they are for the business owners and not the workers. The OBA seriously need to go back to the drawing board with this plan.
“As President of the Bermuda Industrial Union and speaking on behalf of the BIU membership, I say that this is unfair and unacceptable. The Union strongly opposes this initiative,” concluded Mr Furbert.
Update 5.59pm: Mr Richards responded saying: “Let’s not let politics get in the way of a good plan that will get people working again.
“The OBA plan gives payroll tax breaks to employers for every new Bermudian hired. This is a job creation plan – a classic win-win situation whereby an employer gets an incentive to hire an unemployed person and the unemployed person gets a job because of the incentive.
“How in heavens name can this be bad for workers? If a tax break for employers leads to the hiring of an unemployed person, how is that “grossly unfair” to workers. Yes he will have to pay his portion of the tax, like all workers do, but that’s better than being unemployed.
“In his eagerness to be political and criticize the One Bermuda Alliance, Mr. Furbert has lost sight of the fact that this plan will incentivize employers to hire more Bermudians, something he, as a spokesman for workers, should be praising,” concluded Mr Richards.
Come on Furbert. Tax breaks for companies who hire Bermudians means employment for more Bermudians. It really isn’t a hard concept.
A policy which aims to creates jobs for Bermudians benefits Bermudians who are currently unemployed and earning nothing, struggling to get by and suffering.
“The Union strongly opposes this initiative” says Mr Furbert
Mr Furbert prefers principle v’s Bermudians working….Call yourself Labour, as you sit in your nice house, after driving your nice car, eating your nice Christmas dinner, flying on your nice vacations opening your nice Christmas presents, drinking your fine wines and earning your nice inflated salary taken from the workers pay packets (not the employers).
‘The workers have to pay Furberts Salary out of their own wages, own wages, own wages own wages…he doesn’t complain about that now does he.
PLP have promised the Credit Union a Grant…. a freebie …this is why he is desperately trying to make you think a really good for Bermudian workers policy is bad. Conflict of Interest Mr Furbert. You cannot get involved in politics on the promise of a grant. Unethical
For him it is I guess……
Chris Furburt. Thank you, but I don’t understand why you still have a voice? Your 1976 socialism, your 1956 racism, your fight the power, back the workers, when they are all out of work…Chris, seriously, its over….go and play with the grandkids…
It is to him…not a rocket scientist How dare they hire the unemployed and ask them to pay tax?
And its grossly unfair for the BIU Credit Union to be supported with tax payers dollars. It was also unfair for the union to reneg on their promise not to wild cat as a trade off on the Berkerley surety. And that’s just two of many issues I have with Butch Furberts leadership. Ottie was Jimmy Carter compared to Butch Castro
Mr Furbert
When will you realise that it is BUSINESS that is keeping this island afloat. Without BUSINESS the workers are NOTHING.
PLP, living and dwelling on the past whilst everyone else moves on for the betterment of the world.
Dey gottabe employed Furbert.
Go figure.
I give up.
Ignorant man… if businesses have more money… can they not hire more people? Won’t they be encouraged to hire more bermudians? I swear this guy… and isn’t the union supposed to represent their workers, regardless of party affiliation? So how does he speak for the membership if some of the membership support the OBA?
He wants the workers to have more money, so come on Furbert step up to the plate and give the union members two years of no union dues being collected from their salary. You won’t you cant and you don’t want to take the money out if you own pocket do you. How dare you try to stop unemployed people from getting the opportunity of work, from a policy that will offer an incentive to hire Bermudians. What a Scumbag.
Ok OBA Supporters. Your not being realistic its almost as if you have been BRAIN WASHED by the OBA and believe in this FASLE HOPE, or maybe you believe the OBA is Godsend just because their core is primarily white since the inception of the UBP.
JUST BECAUSE A BUSINESS MAKES A TAD BIT MORE MONEY DOESN’T MEAN THEY WILL HIRE MORE WORKERS… C’MON NOW PUT YOURSELF IN THAT SITUATION. BUSINESS IS ABOUT MAKING MONEY NOT HIRING AS MUCH PEOPLE AS YOU CAN. DAMMNN THINK!!!!
How about when work permit renewals come around, if there is an incentive to hire a Bermudian, then that may give a little more incentive to take on a little more risk on a slightly less experience person and train a Bermudian up to speed.
You’re kind of missing the point. The cut should make employers who need to hire someone else for an open position choose to hire a Bermudian over an ex-pat because they only get the cut if they hire the Bermudian. So in the end, a Bermudian gets a job and the employeer gets a bit of a break on something they needed.
It may not be a huge thing, but it’s certainly not what Furbert is making it out to be.
..and?? what are you going to do…go on strike?!
Mr. Furbert, for a person who gains employment, hence a SALARY, because companies have an incentive to employ..is a relief
Manufactured outrage is stupid.
Another ex member of the BBC.
Howard Univeristy still rules.
We are doomed.
What an idiot – the firm getting the tax break is creating a job for a Bermudian, how is that unfair to the Bermudian – its twisted and entitled thinking like that which demonstrates that we are uncompetitive and unrealistic in the eyes of badly needed overseas investment into Bermuda. Chris needs to think about what he can do to really help the Bermudian worker – new ideas are needed not the same old, tired rhetoric about struggles that are now 30+ years old.
So let me get this.. A business that can’t hire someone today simply bcos they can’t afford it will hav the ability to hire someone if the OBA win and give them a tax break for hiring 1 bermudian? Is this a tax exemption for all the employers staff or only for that 1 employee?? IMHO this is a lot of open ended talk that doesn’t add up and is ripe for abuse.. if the company is alowed a complete tax exemption for all staff then that’s a lot of tax revenue lost by the government so how will they recoupe that? A lot of what the OBA say sounds good in theory but it doesn’t add up practically..
So you are saying it is a bad thing….it is for the new hire… Really are people really that thick, that they cant see this is a good policy for Bermudians. Some people can’t see past their PLP brainwashed hatred. All those who are questioning are fully employed. Gits.
OH hang on! ‘thats a lot of tax revenue lost by the government’??
So where was your shock and doubt when Government lost $1,400,000,000 of our taxes to never ending debt and unaccounted for disappearances?
He doesn’t have an answer. It is a good policy anyone who can’t see that, has some serious blinkers on.
Just when you thought this man could not get any dumber and he says this?!??!? WOW, Chris, dude, Richards is talking about stimulating jobs for bermudians, e.g. workers. People who work, ‘workers’ will see an increase in jobs. This is good for workers not bad. Yes the employers will save money………. but only if they hire Bermudians.
Holy Sh11t you are brainless man.
This is the single most stupid thing I’ve heard during this election campaign. Business creates the jobs Mr Furbert!
I give up – this country has gone to the dogs
Who cares what the BIU says?
The PLP; Smith.
Correct. The PLP probably drafted his spiel during one of their cosy lunches at the Leopard’s Club.
Dumb & dumber!
You surely CANNOT be this stupid and hold the position you do. I have to believe he is smarter than this choosing to lie.
You all need to listen to what Bob Richards said. Under his plan the employer doesn’t have to pay his portion of the payroll tax while the employee does; so the employee is deducted but not the employer?! That can’t be fair. If the whole point is to get money moving in the economy again then give the break to the employee who might buy something at a retail store or eat at a restaurant. Put some extra money in the pocket of the little guy for a change.
Dude, then the employer just will not hire new employees……….. the whole point is to encourage people to hire bermudians………. your just as confused as Chris. It’s called simple economics man
@Hmmmmmm… The previously unemployed employee IS given a break… he is given a JOB!
“Put some extra money in the pocket of the little guy for a change”. His new job puts extra money in his pocket, because before he was unemployed and moneyless, and now he is employed.
A job is not enough?! Talk about entitlement!
I believe you are slightly confused. Oh, right, you’re a plp fan…..
You are so right, I agree with you.
So what? No job and don;t pay tax. Job and pay tax.
Really are you that blinkered …Incentive to hire a Bermudian v No job for a Bermudian. Which do you prefer?
obviously you have a ….paid PLP blogger. Short term cash for future misery and poverty.
Hmmm, can you give us a list of the things the BIU is doing to create jobs?
If he was interested in keeping money in the pockets of the workers, he’d forego their union dues for the same amount of time ..no?
Should give employees a two year union dues exemption as well.
Go talk to an unemployed person……what would they prefer.
I like your suggestion, come on BIU step up to the plate and offer all union members a two year union dues exemption. Come on, all about the workers getting the money aren’t you, or is that a myth!!!!!!!
Headline should read: BIU President shows his true ignorance
Tax breaks encourage hiring… employment leads to economic growth.
Mr. Furbert, I don’t think you actually know what you are talking about. And I didn’t realize the Union had a membership meeting to discuss where they stand on the issue…….
I guess this means that you do not want to give business owners an incentive to create NEW JOBS. Without businesses you won’t have workers. Consider this, the more workers you have making money the more people you have paying into the system to grow the economy. How do we convince business owners to hire more people to help the unemployment rate? Are there any other ideas on how to tackle the high unemployment rate? I am all for shooting down ideas that don’t make sense, but you should come up with a better solution. Jus sayin’
Almost beyond belief!
Are we sure these companies will pass it on to workers I hardly think so and I am Not a Union Man just being real this is a capitilist country
You’ve missed the point. It’s supposed to encourage the hiring of Bermudians and assist the bottom line of the business. It’s not about ‘passing on’ anything other than an employment opportunity.
So the union is against measures to encourage new jobs that employ Bermudians.
Listening to this guy can actually make you stupider.
…and the puppet speaks.
Now where is the money the BIU owes the people of Bermuda and its workers now trying to claim from the fund?
So this is what a government grant to bailout another failing union business, buys.
Please go on strike, so we can see that the emperor has no clothes. I dare you. Put up or shut up. The BIU has no money. End of story. Union players and employers in a real country would eat this guy for lunch.
The BIU as plenty of money when needed – ours.
Ask youselves: how much of the tax breaks provided to all of these retailers and other businesses are passedon to the customers? answer: 0. Never forget the local newsagent who had to be embarrassed out of selling an imported newspaper’s Sunday magazine separate from the actual paper eventhough it is included. How many items come in duty free or under some form of duty relief and yet the mark-up is the same…… just think about how much we are getting screwed by those determined to make their profit. Furbert’s saying give a break to the business and to the worker too. Nothing wrong with that.
The only people “screwing” us are the wondrous plp.
Ok so what about all the Other Bermudians, how is it fair that they have to pay payroll tax…. That would be unfair to those workers. The OBA policy is about creating new jobs for Bermudians. Either you think encouraging jobs for Bermudians is good, or it is NOT.
Hmmmmmm is dead against encouraging new jobs for Bermudians if it arises out of an OBA idea.
Dear BIU,
As soon as you open your books fully, you will be taken seriously.
Sincerely
Curious
Please BIU members , choose to have your dues paid to charities of your choice. The charities need the money, you do not need to pay for this job destroyer to recieve a FAT SALARY, whilst publicly bashing a job creation policy of a political party that aren’t yet elected.
This guy is taking your money to RUIN you.
This man makes no sense at all, how is he the leader of the BIU, when is his term up?
This is more than frightening. It means that the leader of our largest and most powerful trade union really has no concept about trying to stimulate local businesses in order to create more jobs for the WORKERS. Right now I seriously doubt that there is a single worker on this Island who is not concerned about his or her job. From what I can see the OBA is suggesting that we actually stimulate job growth by offering an incentive to those businesses that take a chance and expand to create for opportuniites for Bermuda workers.
This has nothing to do with giving tax breaks to individuals who happen to own a business. It’s about giving a tax break to the actual business that hires more Bermudian WORKERS. OMG. It is so simple and so sensible.
Well … I guess the only persons who will be benefiting from potential new employment will be non-union.
Chris …. I’m not sure you understand how an economy works. An e onomy ‘IS’ a business. The workers in that Economy are businesses. The workers in those businesses are people. Without business there is no work and hence no workers.
You gotta encourage and grow business in order to create work.
Economics 101 dude.
BTW … I could tell you we’re forced to read that script. Who wrote it for you anyway?
I’m sure you understand the need to stimulate business bro Chris.
Mr. Furbert – what will the Union be doing to create jobs?
I agree JT ….
Hey Chris … This is your chance to step up to the plate and be a part of the solution.
What would you recommend as a possible solution .??
What a joke. Employment is on the decline. Stimulating the business sector employees people, and it ultimately builds the tax base.
The alternative is what: to build on Govt inefficiency?
As we have seen at Stevedoring, the union’s bullheadedness is pushing the company into layoffs. There will be more cases of this in the coming weeks.
A tax exemption for employers who hire new Bermudians is a win-win situation. That encourages companies to hire new Bermudians and in turn it allows for more Bermudians to be hired because companies are looking to hire Bermudians to get the tax exemption. It’s great for the workers because that means that they get a salary where once there may not have been one.
Where is Craig Simmons, when you really need him to lecture? Perhaps, Chris skipped last night’s forum.
Me thinks Mr. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm is involved in all this.
Always agrees with what the PLP/BBC say.
Were doomed.
Enjoy the last day of November 2012.
This guy makes a box of rocks look sharp doesn’t he?
Why don’t you ask the staff at White’s or Willowbank or ComputerCity what they think of offering tax breaks to businesses who hire Bermudians?
No, he doesn’t… He makes it look intelligent.
Chris Furbert once again shows his ignorance of economics. If you lower the tax costs of employing people then, guess what, businesses have a greater incentive to employ more people.
Yeah, Chris ain’t exactly the sharpest tool in the shed.
No…….the tools are a lot more intelligent!
Maybe he’ll understand this, tax benefits=more employment. More employment =more money for Atlantic City and Vegas. Entenda?
Republicans vs Democrats! We know how the results of that election turned out!
The ecconomy, tourists, IB, Banking, local produce.
Does Ewart Brown still get private security and privilage.
Plus at least $200,000 a year pension.
Take your time before responding.
Hope his green card is up to date.
Think folks.
The IRS pay whistleblowers a percentage folks, think about how that could work!
Chris Furbert should have been at Craig Simmons’ talk last evening at Bermuda College. He addressed points such as the ones raised here by unions.
It is a new day Bermuda and we have to be prepared to join the new workforce market. Unions need to get a new song to sing.
Bernews will you provide some coverage of the presentation presented by Craig last evening?
And I thought CF couldn’t show anymore ignorance to reality than when he tried to close down KFC in order to save the employees jobs, this makes me seriously question the value of a union when they let themselves be run by someone so destructive to social democracy. CF has become the greatest threat to the Bermuda’s economic recovery, every Bermudian worker and the recovery of the integrity of the BIU… Well second greatest threat, after his political masters of the PLP.
We need labour laws that protect the workers of this country from bad employers and bullying unions, union membership should be the choice of the employee and not mandated because of where you work
If you think Chris is dumb, what does that say about the general membership that appears so willing to strike whenever Chris says so and believe the crap he spews out.
I often speak about how stupid the entire world is getting. Iremind people of the millions of people who voted for George Bush, not once, but twice! And Sarah Palin also got millions of votes – go figure!
Yes world, brainpower is getting scarce!
Did Chris Furbert check with Paula Cox before opening his mouth? For nearly 2 years now, the PLP have granted a payroll tax exemption to the hotels, retail and restaurant BUSINESSES. In fact just this week one of the PLP candidates made a great play of how the OBA has copied the PLP payroll tax exemption (even though they haven’t).
So is the PLP exemption just as reprehensible? No wonder the PLP and its combined Government are in disarray. They are talking out of both sides of their mouths.
Back to the pressing issues. What are the PLP/BIU doing to generate jobs? To grow the economy? No, training nail technicians will not increase GDP. Bermuda is waiting for the PLP Platform.
Bro Chris , I recently spoke with bro Grant of the BPSU, unlike him you paint a picture of all MEMBERS taking the same view as you. Please stop what your doing, or make it perfectly clear that your not speaking on behalf of the members of the BIU. o.k. Say we have 500 workers that have been out of work for one year. You really think they would care if they all got jobs and the company will not have to pay their share of taxes. They will cough up the same taxes as all working people in Bermuda.
Last I checked unions want to keep the people that are employed working and those that are not find a job! At this point in time of the economy unions should be about helping people to gain employment! Not worry about businesses, and what they will get out of it. Just ask the 500 unemployed people, Bro Chris.
just like the PHC deal, just can’t have it all your way!
It is such a shame that this individual actually is in charge of anything. Mr Furbert doesn’t have an ounce of intelligence when he makes a statement like this. New jobs being created stimulate economic growth anything that will give an employer an incentive to hire Bermudians will be nothing but positive. At least the OBA are considering initiatives that will help Bermuda get back to work. When was the last time Chris furbert and the BIU hierarchy put solutions on the table? Instead of spouting off any hot steam because the OBA are showing how it could possibly work, maybe he should really think about it. My grandfather always told me ” It is better to keep your mouth shut and let them think you are stupid than to open it and prove it ”
We can only hope that there are sharper pencils in the BIU box.
I still believe that Bermuda will make the right choice on Dec 17th and Vote for our future.
Wow he he for real embarrassed lol
Still waiting for Bro. Furbert to come out against the PLP’s creation of EEZ zones where they have instituted similar payroll tax exemptions for new employers – and the BIU are in the friggin EEZ area!!
What a freaking hypocrite.
Has he never heard the expression half a loaf is better than none at all??
This sense of entitlement is exactly what’s wrong with the 21st century BIU mindset.
Enough already Butch—where have you been for the past 14 years…The sick irony is that for the past 14 years, the PLP, the progressive LABOUR party, with Union Heavyweights amongst them, Ottie, Butch, George, and the Derek have all but gone to sleep on labour matters and once agin, weeks before an election they / Butch finds his voice…and Becomes a Brother…F@#$%&**&^^%$#@
Leave Ottie alone – I didn’t always agree with him but at least he was fair and not just power drunk,
I repeat, where have the BIU been since 1998? 4 prominent members including Ottie in the ruling party and they have gone virtually quiet on major LABOUR issues.
I think even Laverne Furbert would agree that Chris Furbert’s comments were totally ridiculous in this case. Can someone within the union or the PLP please educate this gentleman or send him to Bermuda College to do an economics course or a course on common sense! Chris I am disappointed that as leader of the BIU you did not get some advice before calling your press conference. At the very least you could have saved yourself from totally embarrassing yourself and your union.
Welcome to the future.
Wow, wow wow. Its not rocket scienece. Mr. Furbert, if you do’t understand what Mr. Richards was proposing, YOU NEVER WILL. Its pretty simple and furthermore its just an idea???
Under the UBP years the workforce was far greater and the BIU benefited from it. Under the PLP government the BIU membership has decreased by how much???
Currently, if an employer can demonstrate that they have a legitimate training program for Bermudian hires, register it with Tax Commisioner, they will received an exemption from payroll tax for both employer and employee. There is no 2 year limit to this program as the exemption lasts the length of the training. This can also be used for any type of job and hen one employee “graduates” from the program to a higher job, thre is no need to reapply, just hire another trainee. If Bob’s idea is so great, why haven’t employers taken advantage of this existing program and demonstrate a true commitment to hiring, training and promoting Bermudians across the board?
See relevant FAQ from the Tax Comissioner Website….
Can I get my Training Scheme approved?
Training schemes may also be sent to the Office of the tax Commissioner for approval. An ‘Application for Approval’ of a training scheme must be submitted to the Office of the Tax Commissioner along with a detailed description of the scheme. These schemes will be vetted by the National Training Board and are approved by the Minister of Finance.
What is the affect of an approved Training Scheme?
The remuneration paid by an employer to a Bermudian employee on an approved training scheme is not subject to payroll tax.
The difference is that the traing tax exemption is with regards to a training program, while the OBA proposal offers a blanket exemption for new Bermudian hires across the board. As the website says, the employer is required to develop a training program, define it out in writing, submit it to 2 government departments (the Tax Commissioner and the NTB) a wait for a reply as to whether this is acceptable. And of course the Tax Exemption will only be good on the employee so long as he is in training, something that should not take 2 years and it would probably be quite hard to successfully define that out in the training program submission of the employer tried. The OBA’s plan is not limited to just a trainee, any new Bermudian an employer hires will give that employer the ability to get a tax exemption for 2 years straight.
Now with the training program, both employer and employee get the tax break, which is a good thing as a trainee would normally be paid less during the training program and get a raise upon completion, so tax breaking the employee is good while they a getting paid less. The OBA’s plan is to tax break only the employer, which is fair as why should a newer employee be given a break that might allow them to get paid more than an employee who has been there longer, and the government can not afford to totally shoot itself in both feet with need for revenues.
I think both programs together would have greater merit than just one over the other, as a running a training program would increase the pool of trained Bermudians in various jobs fields and still give a business an incentive to hire a Bermudian when they know that they would still be tax breaker beyond the limitation of a training program.
I prefer the training program vs just handing out tax breaks. It adds responsibility on both parties. Trust me, not all training program re as short as you say.
When the economy is is good, that is fine, but given the decline of our economy and continuing decrease in businesses, incentives and breaks need to be offered to help businesses keep people employed and employ more people. Unemployment is having a negative impact across the board, it is tearing apart the lives of the individual’s, but it is also impacting all. There are more people requiring aid from social programs, but with fewer employees in the work force, that is less payroll revenues for government to support those social programs, less people able to contribute to charitable social programs, less money going into local businesses for services. Bermuda is a small country, small population with a high cost of living, so a lower unemployment percentage will have a higher impact than in other countries like the US.
Are tax breaks like the OBA’s proposal right as a long term policy, no, but at a time when we need more employees in the work force, incentives like this can help.
Irregardless of who is elected in a couple of weeks we are going to see more businesses close and jobs cut in the new year, and probably in the civil service sector too, as government is unsustainable. It will actually be kind of a win win for the PLP, if the are re-elected, then they can make cuts without worrying how it will effect their vote count, and if the the OBA are elected, the PLP can paint them as villains for making the cuts that the PLP themselves were responsible for requiring.
It is going to be another tough year, let’s just hope that by the end of it we see some signs of recovery and not just some finance minister standing there blowing a lot of hot air trying to tell us that we are recovering.
I think I prefer the puppet videos over this guy’s ill informed views.
On the basis of his comments, it’s scary that Chris Furbert is allowed to cross the road by himself, let alone run a union.
Chris please do us all a favor. The next time you are SHOCKED AND APPALLED from hearing something try keeping it to yourself!
It’s a sad day when we have ppl in a position of power like Furbert… He has CLEARLY demonstrated time after time that he has no clue about the way business operates and this latest attemp to discredit the OBA is extremely irresponsible! PLP has continually branded the OBA as the “do nothing UBP” but their attempts to create jobs have been between few and far to none existent, so why would Furbert try to make it look like whats being suggested is such a bad idea? Until BIU or PLP come up with a better plan, don’t try to fool the public into thinking that creating jobs is a bad thing because they are falling on deaf ears!! I’m a union member and I’m totally embarrassed to have this uneducated man representing me..
Thank you Mr. Union Man!
A collection should be taken to send bra back to nail technician school.
Or a brief sabbatical to WAMI : ))
@Hmmmmmmm and if the employee does not pay taxes how many of his fellow out of work friends would/could he hire into the work force. Once again, the tax break for a an Employer will allow the Employer to hire more Bermudian Workers. Are our people so un-educated and dense that they cannot see that more people would get back into the work force, OR is it that many posters here are just repeating the party line or Entitlement rearing it ugly head. Shaking My Head!!!
Good ideas don’t bring an island to its knees, clearly people don’t get this yet. The plan never changed, and neither did the person pulling the strings.
Ok my 12 yr old – who can read and write and is an HONOUR STUDENT – heard OBA BR’s comment and then said mommy that is one of the reasons for the French Revolution.
The King wanted the poor ppl to pay the taxes and not the ppl that had $$$.
I just looked at him and said interesting observation.
UMMM the French Revolution ended in 1799…1799!!!!!
The world has changed PLP lover, a 12 year old can see that too!
Public school?
Certainly an interesting observation from your 12 year old, but I do hope you took the time to explain why it’s not the same thing.
Thank you for pointing out that your honour roll student can read and write. That is no longer a guarantee for a 12 year old honour student in the public school system anymore.
In regards to topic – you are off topic. Companies are not royalty. They rely on pleasing consumers by providing goods or services which the consumer will pay for. As the company grows it hires workers. Workers need to please the company and the consumer so that they too can get paid.
No consumers. No company. No work. No need for workers.
The PLP have thumbed their noses at businesses for years and core companies have left. This has created a domino effect. The accountants for the companies leave. The computer providers shut down. The restaurants shut down. Now the docks are shutting down because there are fewer consumers. Wage-earning people have left in the thousands. These were consumers, and we are a consumption based economy where the taxes come from duty.
The PLP’s abrasive tone with business has resulted in them leaving and now we all are reaping the rewards.
A company does not owe a worker work when there is none.
Bullseye where were you when they were looking for politicians or BIU presidents? Thank you!
But in the public school system a G is considered a pass.
Currently, those out of work are paying 0% tax. Is that better?
Businesses are closing down or in receivership. They might not actually have the $$$ you are talking about.
OBA supporters are @ssholes.
Thank you for sharing your well thought out opinion on the issue at hand. I am certain we will all benefit from your expertise.
Well I guess you have to understand economics to be an a#$hole. Are your comments are always saturated with intellect like this? Answer this, does Fris Churbert make sense? Yes or no?
If you support a policy, it does nt make you and OBA supporter, it makes you a person that can see it for what it is, a very good policy. It is time limited too
Are you serious.
How old are.
A stalwart?
When was the last time you visited Beruit, Gaza, et al.
Your a moron.
You own your own house, work for government retired.
You sell crack and weed.
Ali Akba.
I was going to reply but decided not to. I mean what could I possibly say that would help this person?
@ SMH yes they pay their taxes, but at least they have a job! How can they pay taxes if they aren’t working to begin with? 3300 ppl are out of work, why don’t you ask them if they’d pay their taxes if it meant they gained employment…
It’s quite simple Mr. Smiths.
They take it away.
Hello.
Your comment makes absolutely no sense… What Bob Richards has said really shouldn’t be all that difficult to comprehend.. How about this… Tax breaks for business owners means they have more incentive to hire Bermudians, which means more money for the union since more ppl are working again.. I’m not concerned as much about WHO said it because even if the PLP had thought of it it’d be a good idea.. But they’re busy worrying about puppets and “secret documents”. I wonder how many secret documents will be shed on the night of December 17 by the current govt
If uncle chrizzy is not an a** who is? this man need to fly off to mars!
Just a plain case of not thinking before speaking me thinks! Lol boy don’t make me roar!
So much for The Premier urging the world of business that “Bermuda is open for business”. Chris Furbert has just confirmed that “Bermuda is against business”.
At least that should stop the futile and expensive jaunts to the Middle East to seek more debt. Or probably not.
Aren’t you supposed to say that? You are the union for the people, right. Tell us what you do support from the businesses? Aren’t businesses owned and run by decent people too, trying to make a living? What relief do they ever get? It’s hard to run a business on the island isn’t it? Are all businesses out to take advantage of workers? When do you ever say ok…that seems reasonable.
All anonymous posts. You are all such cowards!! What are you afraid of?
I don’t believe that you are really named LaVerne but even if you are, people hide behind the names they make for themselves. Using your own name may actually be a hindrance to peeling off the facade which others have come to know mistakenly as your true self. I trend to trust people that use their name less unless it is absolutely necessary such as MP’s candidates etc. Otherwise, how do we know that you are not just trying to make a “name” for yourself? What are you NOT saying because of your name? See what I mean.
Vote PLP
Shooting the messenger again.
Laverne makes another invaluable contribution to a thread.
What are “we” afraid of? Just the normal from people with your type of mindset. Being called an Uncle Tom, House N&*^%$#r or member of a cyber lynch mob. Or you looking up to find out where the person, and their family, lives and works. Just the usual.
Personally, I’m afraid of Chris Furbert leading a mass of individuals, many of whom are the future of our country.
Leaders not only lead, but pass knowledge onto followers.
These were truly irresponsible comments and I haven’t seen one post on this blog (whether from OBA or PLP supporters)refuting this otherwise.
I really am concerned that there is a lack of financial intelligence eminating from the leadership of the BIU; from these comments, to the lack of negotiation skills and lack of transparency of basic financial and accounting records.
The membership should be demanding excellence; the people should be demanding excellence; the leadership should be displaying excellence.
This will be a very interesting election; people tie the OBA to the UBP and the PLP to the Union.
May God give us wisdom and understanding.
On Monday I will stop my $1000 pa payments to the union. I wish others will stop paying this fool to be a fool.
I agree brahh I might be right behind u lol
Wow I’m stupid! All this time I knew business was good, now Chris Furbert comes aong and says we don”t need business. I’m gutted. This must be the new world the PLP promised. Either you are employed by Government or you are self employed, or unemployed. Standing strong has a whole new meaning, but what the heck is it, apart from making no sense? So what’s new.