Minister: Creation Of 60 Short Term Job Positions
Minister Wayne Scott announced today [Dec 4] a new short-term work programme which will employ 60 people to do landscaping and general maintenance work during 18 week period starting on December 9th. The hours will be from 8.30am to 4pm, with a salary of $525 per week.
The Minister said, “We have seen an unprecedented increase in financial assistance and child day care relief such that, between January and October 2013, this Government spent in excess of $36 million on assistance.
We have sought to address these concerns by implementing new policies, one of which is the requirement of persons seeking financial assistance to conduct a certain amount of volunteer hours.
“However we are acutely aware that there is a need for immediate financial relief so that Bermudians can support their families during this holiday season,” continued Minister Scott.
“So, today, I am pleased to announce the creation of a short-term work programme starting on December 9, which will employ 60 people to do various types of landscaping and general maintenance work during an 18 week period.
“This programme will involve several Ministries working together in the spirit of collaboration to get our people working immediately.
“During the 18-week period, crews will be working on primarily landscaping jobs for three weeks and then rotating crews every three weeks. The 60 individuals will work from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and receiving a salary of $525 per week. That equates to $1,575 for three week’s work.
“Although this is a short-term initiative, we believe every little bit helps, especially throughout this holiday season,” said the Minister.
Registration is open to adults 18 year or older, and anyone interested can register in person at the Workforce Development Office [old Magistrates Court] on Parliament Street. Registration will continue until all positions have been filled.
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Good morning ladies and gentlemen,
As you will be aware, one of the most pressing and immediate priorities of this Government is getting people back to work by seeking creative ways of providing opportunities for unemployed Bermudians.
And today the Ministry of Community, Culture and Sports is pleased to highlight the steps it’s taking towards fulfilling this goal.
You will recall that not too long ago, I shared with you some critical information regarding the Department of Financial Assistance’s efforts to diligently maintain the numbers of people requiring assistance.
I announced at the time, that we have seen an unprecedented increase in financial assistance and child day care relief such that, between January and October 2013, this Government spent in excess of $36 million on assistance.
We have sought to address these concerns by implementing new policies, one of which is the requirement of persons seeking financial assistance to conduct a certain amount of volunteer hours.
However we are acutely aware that there is a need for immediate financial relief so that Bermudians can support their families during this holiday season.
Daily, I meet people who are in desperate need of temporary employment while they seek fulltime employment. To those individuals, I am here to say, that this Government hears you and we understand your need.
So, today, I am pleased to announce the creation of a short-term work programme starting on December 9, which will employ 60 people to do various types of landscaping and general maintenance work during an 18 week period.
This programme will involve several Ministries working together in the spirit of collaboration to get our people working immediately.
Currently, the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC) is responsible for hiring temporary workforce for the short term jobs.
The BHC will be responsible for administration, the Department of Parks will supervise the programme and the Department of Workforce Development will be responsible for registration and interviewing candidates.
During the 18-week period, crews will be working on primarily landscaping jobs for three weeks and then rotating crews every three weeks.
The 60 individuals will work from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and receiving a salary of $525 per week. That equates to $1,575 for three week’s work.
Although this is a short-term initiative, we believe every little bit helps, especially throughout this holiday season.
Registration for the programme is open to adults 18 year or older. However interested persons are encouraged to register in person at the Workforce Development Office (formerly the Magistrate Court) on Parliament Street.
Registration will continue until all positions have been filled.
We recognise that we are living in some very tough times. And we understand that the challenges that our people are facing are magnified that much more during this season.
This Ministry remains committed to assisting families in need of social services and financial assistance and we are pleased to do our part to in some small way try an ease the burdens that Bermudians are facing by taking tangible steps to keep people working.
Thank you.
-
Whatever Wayne!
For all of the negative commenters below: did you all read a different article than me or is reading comprehension not your strong suit? This is a PAID program INSTEAD of a VOLUNTEER one. People on assistance WERE going to have to do VOLUNTEER hours in order to get my hard earned tax money but now, they will be PAID. What is so hard to understand here?? I applaud it! Seriously people, use some of my tax money to buy some reading glasses.
“We have sought to address these concerns by implementing new policies, one of which is the requirement of persons seeking financial assistance to conduct a certain amount of volunteer hours.”
“However we are acutely aware that there is a need for immediate financial relief so that Bermudians can support their families during this holiday season,” continued Minister Scott.
this is the Hustle Truck renamed…not a new creation as stated by Mr. Fahy… nonetheless I approve of it…
This is a email i sent to Minister Moniz W&E in September,
Good day sir
My name is ******* i voted for OBA for a change i have a small asphalt business and finding it hard to get work due to the economy , I think a good way to put at least 30 to 40 people to work right now is to give asphalt work to the small companies with a mandate that they have to hire a min of five to six people , their are at least four asphalt companies out here right now and there is at least 6 years of work backed up that W&E just cant get to, There is work such as side walks, side roads, neighborhoods, rail way trails just to name a few, I also have a machine that can fix pot holes to make them seamless, only one like it in the island , we had some issues running it when we first bought it due to lack of experience with the machine since which we have mastered it and were ready to work.
Thank you for your time and await your response.
This was his response,
I will discuss your suggestions with my Permanent Secretary. However bear in mind that Government is trying to cut expenditure.
Trevor Moniz
Maybe you will do better if W&E is privatized, which I believe was suggested in the sage report. If you’re efficient and do good work, you will get contracts.
sad…
We are six years behind on our roads because we ARE broke…we are broke …no money for materials ,let alone paying wages and the rest of the overhead…Privatize w/e, offer the foremen and supervisors the chance to start their own companies, then they can hire the guys that work under them on a regular basis (boy i wonder who they would take with them and who would be cut loose…lol)relieving Govt. of a lot of expenditures it currently has to endure…um jus sayin’
Be careful what you wish for. Yes privatization in some areas may be a good thing, but can also come back to haunt you. The nature of a business is to make money, and govt. could end up spending way more money for goods and services, which could cripple us further.
Good suggestion but you need to keep in mind that the government would still have to pay W&E staff while paying your company, which is why the Minister mentioned “expenditure”….although your company may do the work faster and better, there would not be a cost savings under the present circumstances.
is this part of the 2000 job creation promised?
Probably not… But ain’t it a good thing that some folks are gonna have some work?
The 2000 jobs thing seems to be right on track.
Dam still using plp ideas I thought the voters had enough of the green Kool-Aid. Now we drinking the red Kool-Aid. I also thought we were broke.
So… It’s bad because the OBA are doing it? Or it’s just a bad idea, period? Not sure what you’re saying.
He definitely didn’t say it was a bad idea. What he said was that it was a PLP idea. Maybe you are so screwed up that as soon as you see PLP you think bad idea.
Or maybe you have no idea what you’re talking about.
His final sentence would indicate disapproval for the idea (i.e. “We’re broke so we shouldn’t do this”), hence my question.
Maybe you missed that part because it’s you that’s screwed up?
I think it is good and will help many
Kudos to you Minister Scott!!
$525 before or after taxes?
Are you serious
So what will happen at the end of this
Will the people get full time employment or will they still be unemployed?
“…60 Short Term job positions…”
How is that not clear?
I know it is more than one sentence but take the time to actually READ the article before asking a question that is answered in the article.
SMH….Short attention spans.
so basically its the hustle truck.
READ! Hustle truck was not linked to getting welfare.
this isn’t linked to “welfare” either. can you read?
Come on guys, you have to think outside of the box and much bigger and more radical to get our ecnomy going.
We need a business development bureau who will concentrate on attracting investment and business to the island.
Change investment legislation and open the banking sector to new outside quality banks like the other islands since our banks are no longer Bermudian, so competition will be good and benefit the island.
Are we going two steps backward, to take one step forward to give the appearance of moving forward, what happen to the hustle truck, that did much of the same…
The money these Ministers make they each could afford to pay that amount out of their own pocket to 60 guys!
Can’t recalll EVER seeing a PLP minister put their hand in their own pocket for charity.
“It’s ok when we do it…”
This guy sounds like Ewart. Smoke and Mirrors. Are you kidding me. This is ridiculous. No growth, no investment in training, no benefits, no future career possibilities. We are not beggars and we deserve better. I will not sit here and be lectured about being satisfied with half a loaf. Would Wayne have done this when he was unemployed after being let go. No!!!!. This is an insult and guess what. As he prances around with his fake british accent (never gone to school there) we are being treated like children and getting gifts for christmas from santa claus. Wayne wants to put everybody back to work in menial jobs to justify giving financial assistance to people. What that translates into is a that he despises these people who are getting something for nothing so he is trying to force them to put some skin in the game. That sounds good. YEt we must ask where is that spirit of resentment coming from. He is being fed a lot of racist foolishness by his ” unofficial team of consultants”. He is trying to put the lash to the backs of the lazy black bermudian who is grabbing for grabbing sakes. Well let it be known that most of the recipients of financial assistance are not there because they want to be. The complexion of that base of people is not longer the single black female or the rasta bubba dread who he wants to appeal to at the rubber tree. He needs to wake up and smell the coffee. People want real solutions to real problems. Shut up or Get up and Put up Wayne…!
Although I applaud the attempt to create jobs and fully support it, I cringe at the thought of a weekly salary of 525/week. This is not realistic when one bill alone…Belco…would take a big portion of that away. If we trully are trying to help people, let’s make it realistic and actual help. No one can survive on 525/week. Not this day and age living on the rock.
Many people are making a heck of a lot less than that for better jobs with more hours.
“No one can survive on 525/week. Not this day and age living on the rock.”
True, but making $0 per week is even worse. No one is saying this is an ideal solution however my guess is the applicants would be more than happy to at least have something for now.
your post doesn’t make sense – $525 and BELCO will take a portion out of that? come on – you don’t get a belco bill every week. 525 a week for a month equals $2,100 for the month (if the short term work is for a month).
More’n I’ve made for most of my adult life.
In a few years time when enough of those who own the dials that need resetting realize what they will have to do and that we ALL will have to live a simpler life with lower expectations a wage of $525 a week will be something very desirable and to be fought for .
Come on and support our government with this brilliant initiative.
The OBA seems to have run out of steam after their coronation, there have been no radical changes within our legal frame work on marijuana, worth 100m a year, no movement on Medical tourism, Stem Cells – which is a scientific travesty, IVF, Human Cloning, Medical Marijuana, other industries Bermuda can explore – Offshore Aquaculture, Offshore Oil and gas, Tourism re-branding, ACTIVE IB expansion into China – Middle east – India – Brazil, the OBA have been OBA have been idle, but can you blame them? Those at the top of both the economic and political pyramid will never take radical steps, as their 1st priority is remaining there.
NGP
So… Because they haven’t hit on the stuff YOU want them to do, they’ve “run out of steam”?
Are we to ignore all the stuff they HAVE done, simply because there’s stuff they HAVEN’T?
Come on.
Like what ? 26% undecided voters say otherwise.
Are you actually saying they’ve done nothing? Seriously?
Yeah, I am. Just like the OBAers say the PLP did nothing. I reserve the right to be equaly as ignorant and still merit being given as much press time, air time and blog time as they get and be believed like they are. They have done nothing.
Cool. So you admit to being ignorant. I’ll keep that in mind… And will remind you of this… When I interact with you.
You’re basically admitting that you’re being willfully ignorant and are intentionally spreading misinformation. Well done. What a waste of time you are.
Obviously you’ve mistaken me for one my people that require your validation for fruitful living. Wrong. At some stage you will confront your inability to be equally as caustic with OBA ignorance and intentional spreading of misinformation. Until you do insult me at will; it is you who look like the waste of time. Didin’t the Lamb/Foggo debacle confirm to you that all this blogging BS from your team doesn’t matter.
This article pretty much contradicts the entire basis of your argument.
Nope. Not what I said at all.
What YOU said is that you are ignorant (and have the right to be so) and are willing to spread misinformation because the other side does.
Not an insult, just repeating what you said.
And this isn’t blogging. This is commenting.
As for my inability to “be caustic” with OBA “ignorance”? A. I have “been caustic” to OBA posters when I see them being “ignorant”, there just isn’t equivalence on the two sides and B. How does my (according to you) lack of causticity to one side of the political divide invalidate the points I make?
How does any imbalance or bias of my views make it ok for you to spread lies and misinformation?
(Oh, and nice try with the “your team” thing. We’ve been over this before. Speaking out against lies, misinformation and propaganda from YOUR side does not equal support for your opponents and neither does a lack of causticity towards your opponents.
I know that painting me with that brush makes it easier to ignore the points I make and continue to be dishonest, but it’s not valid in any way shape or form and is simply yet another ad hominem.
Try an ounce of honesty.
Soon as you are backed in a corner by a smarter person, out comes your normal defense combination, where’s your proof, and your spreading lies. Lol, do you have anything to say that is worthwhile?
Amazing. You say absolutely nothing, ever, except to come out from under your rock to throw around insults and personal attacks.
And if you think that “Hmmmmmmm” is smarter than me, you are completely ignorant of what the word “smarter” means.
I mean, seriously? It’s a “defense combination” to ask for proof and to point out when people are lying?
Unlike you, I don’t just say things. I make sure they’re true, first.
Why do you think that’s a bad thing?
Oh, wait. You won’t respond to this. You don’t have the courage of your convictions to actually back up the silly things you say, do you. It’s just “Run in, say something I know is false, then run away like a coward in case they call me on it” with you, isn’t it?
How about YOU say something worthwhile?
Show me how it’s done…
We had 14 years of knee-jerk and look where it got us.
Work is better than no work.
i am going to sign up for this
im a single mother and need this since i cant find a job
Half a loaf is better then no loaf! Where do i go to sign up?
Good day sir
My name is ******* i have a small asphalt business and finding it hard to get work due to the economy , I think a good way to put at least 30 to 40 people to work right now is to give asphalt work to the small companies with a mandate that they have to hire a min of five to six people , their are at least four asphalt companies out here right now and there is at least 6 years of work backed up that W&E just cant get to, There is work such as side walks, side roads, neighborhoods, rail way trails just to name a few, I also have a machine that can fix pot holes to make them seamless, only one like it in the island , we had some issues running it when we first bought it due to lack of experience with the machine since which we have mastered it and were ready to work.
Thank you for your time and await your response.
response,
I will discuss your suggestions with my Permanent Secretary. However bear in mind that Government is trying to cut expenditure.
Doomed
Let me see if I understand this. After a vicious election campaign and a SAGE Commission Report laced with all kinds of invective and indictments of the PLP for employing people off the backs of the taxpayers; after lectures from Bob the Snob on “Governments don’t create jobs, the private sector creates jobs”; after Thad Hollis telling us daily that the OBA is the Party of ideas; the latest solution is a government paid and generated employment programme to the exclusion of the supposed struggling private sector. Paid for by the taxpayers and looking and smelling seriously like the Hustle Truck pioneered by Colonel Burch…..OH, ok. I get it.I really don’t get how you OBA folk can defend this one.
What exactly needs to be defended?
This is a short-term solution for people that are out of work and allows them to earn some income for the holidays. This Govt has issued more in financial assistance than the previous Givt ever budgeted for during their reign.
Hustle truck (which I drove behind every morning) would have no more than 5 to 6 people in the back.
This temporary scheme is hiring 10x more than the previous.
Nothing this Government does will please individuals liek you, because your hatred is so deep, so ingrained that you can’t help but spew your nonsense on a daily basis.
I know, I know you yearn for the days of a Government who:
- uses blind trusts in capital projects
- receives numerous and consecutive qualified audits on the consolidated fund
- ceases to audit the NCP (pension fund) for almost 10 years and allows it to become underfunded to the tune of a couple of billion increases Govt expenses by 74.34% while only increasing Govt revenues by 29.46% from 2004 to 2012
- increases the deficit by 2,289.67% since 2004 to 2012
- enacts aggressive policies and rhetoric at the one and only pillar of our economy without ensuring a back up plan when they react
- receives numerous AG reports highlighting numerous instances of established financial controls and political interference
Don’t worry in a few years you and yours will most likely get your wish and have the same people that decimiated Govt finances and our one pillar of the economy back in power.
Hatred? Got any mirrors in your house buddy?
Yes, yes, I know.
Telling irrefutable facts is construed as hatred.
But spewing baseless rhetoric, innuendo and blatant lies as a means to support your “team” is a righteous and noble act.
Carry on.
How did you completely ignore the question posed and rattle off about the previous government? You are just as bad as Hmmmmm.
The point that he/she was making was this –
This initiative seems just like the Hustle Truck and it is designed by the current government, going against the ideals and statements they made before the election
Deal with that portion first.
Both you and Hmmmmm are the problem, in my opinion. Neither of you are willingly to see past your anger and disdain for your opposite party, thus you speak negative just because you can.
God, Family, Country – - – live it, love it – deal with it.
Q
This is 10x bigger than the Hustle Truck and is a temporary measure. So the civil service isn’t being expanded.
So what ideals is it going against? Please cite the sources as well, or else it is just more baseless rhetoric, innuendo and blatant lies.
When you actually response to the question, only then will I reply with the information you requested.
You evaded the original post and just provided a history lesson for some (not me, as I know all of which you posted – didn’t say that I didn’t nor did I say that I did not agree)
My issue is that instead of speaking to Hmmmmm’s point or issue, you just posted the opposite rhetoric (it doesn’t matter if it was factual or not) – - it is still the same concept – “if you say something against me, I will simply say something against you” – - and to me, that is just sad.
Q
Please clarify your question as I thought I had it addressed it in the above post.
My question was –
How or why did you ignore Hmmmm’s point when posting your comments?
I just wanted you to explain that, without using the previous government to do it.
Q
sheesh man do you lot get dizzy from all the ‘spinning’ you are trying to do?
Do you have something to contribute to this conversation?
Q
What question?
No, it’s comparing two completely different things in order to make the government look bad. That’s all it is
And I respectfully disagree.
Hmmmm provided a difference of opinion and instead of providing commentary about his/her post, all Double Standard did was list off items that the previous government did – nothing more.
That was lazy and unproductive – - and we want better than that.
Q
“This is 10x bigger than the Hustle Truck and is a temporary measure. So the civil service isn’t being expanded.
So what ideals is it going against? Please cite the sources as well, or else it is just more baseless rhetoric, innuendo and blatant lies.”
So it appears my post to you above did rebut HMMMMs and your allegations.
What more do you want?
What I find lazy is your attempts to overlook teh answer I provided and your allegations of me ignoring them are simply unproductive.
DS:
You did not response to the original question which I reposted for your benefit. I asked why you opted to ignore Hmmmm’s inference to the current government’s u turn on policies and their use of apparent previous govt initiatives?
Your response included a statement about the civil service and this program being 10x bigger than the Hustle truck – what does that have to do with what I asked? Nothing.
Your answer should have been something like this – “I do not see the purpose in your post as I do not agree with your assessment.”
I would have respected that.
Q
Why do you disagree? What part of what I said is false?
My comment was not directed at you.
Q
Oh. My bad. It was a reply to my post, so I responded.
Thats gonna leave a mark.
Nope. Such facts will sail right over his head & land in de Nile.
You really will say anything, no matter whether it’ strut or not, to try to smear the government, won’t you?
It’s pathetic.
I wonder what the comments would be if the PLP had done something like this during their tenure. Oh wait, they overstaffed the Government to put people to work and that was a very bad thing. Better to throw people out of high paying jobs and hand them short term maintenance work here and there. I see, so throwing thousands of taxpayers out of work will save other taxpayers tons of money. Interesting strategy.
“so throwing thousands of taxpayers out of work will save other taxpayers tons of money”
YES! IT WILL! What don’t you understand about financial situation Bermuda is in?
Let me paint you a picture. Homeless, starving, unemployed MASSES of people. Sound unlikely? Look around at the MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS of people who live this way all over the world.
So maintenance work is really an issue, huh?
This is not a new project, it started with the PLP a few years ago. When you go to the office you’ll find out exactly what the job is about. If you are willing to clean to rail-ways, clear out the road side trash and trim the roadside bushes and trees. It is not landscaping in the parks etc. If the OBA has created something different, my apologies. So, if you want the job, great, but be sure you need to work hard for your money. Been there, did not do that as a 62 yr old woman looking for employment.
There are the PLP diehards who will never be happy, no matter what the OBA does or does not do. These are folks who were most likely on the PLP gravy train & that train has run off the tracks.
This is a step in the right direction. Nothing like the hustle truck at all. This is for people who need financial assistance. The message now is that money will no longer be handed over without question. Now if you want the taxpayer to support you the time has come for you to give something back to the taxpayer. If it is picking up roadside trash the so be it.
@ Triangle Drifter So what where these person prior to becoming unemployed, some thought no fault of their own…did they not pay into the system they now seek relief from…
One must be careful what they say when you are up, you may have to face some of the same people you despise now, on your way down…
Oh we who are up now will be just fine. What don’t people get about that? We aren’t fighting for Bermuda because we think we are in trouble…
A lot of people on financial assistance cannot do the type of work being proposed, due to health reasons and age.
That’s great. After the 3 weeks, then what?
“…short term…”
Why does this have to be explained?
The negative comments regarding this positive step just scream “entitled” and “ungrateful”
Things obviously need to get a good bit worse before some folk finally get the situ this country is in.
I reckon when the feral chicken problem sorts itself out through needs we will be about right for moving forward with the right sort of attitude.
A ways to go yet, and some are driving us straight there.
There is a certain segment of Bermuda who can never be pleased, never be given enough. They are the entitled. Simply by being Bermudian they believe that they are somehow the chosen few. The world owes them a life for free. It is pointless to even try to cater to this attitude. It is never satisfied.
So what about the females look for a job?
Isn’t this the hustle truck but in a different type of wrapping paper?
Between the Urgent Care Center, the bungled referendum question, the poll results and now this ridiculousness, the OBA is NOT ending their first year very well are they?
To ALL complainants: there are many of us who have NO job at all!!
$525.00 a week for three weeks – that’s $1,575.00 more than $0.00.
hello ?WHAT ABOUT THE FEMALES ,THEY ARENT FIT ENOUGH FOR MENS WORK???
Now who said it is all ‘mens’ work? Women are seen on road crews elsewhere. They can pick up roadside trash. They can do gardening. They can operate machinery. They can paint. If you can carry a child around for 9 months the give birth to the thing these jobs should be nothing at all.
Stop looking for excuses.
Some of these comments are simply embarrassing! The creation of these jobs will help some families who really need it. Not everyone who will be hired is lazy, uneducated or on welfare…. many are simply UNEMPLOYED!!!
Some of you forget that you too can become unemployed as well! Until you all start helping out your own neighbors with groceries during hard times and assist when your own community has an unemployment problem, then you should applaud this government initiative!!
Will govt. be like the big boys they cater to and pay all the extras, (insurance, payroll tax, etc.), if not it gonna be more like $350-$400 a week.
Good Question. It is a NET take home of $525 or is that the gross pay?
Let’s plant some useful trees that feed people i.e. Avocados, citrus (oranges, grapefruit), grapes, peaches, etc. I am sure there are others who can recommend additional fruit bearing trees. We have an excellent growing environment and these trees will pay dividends for years to come. Make this project an investment by providing individuals with knowledge and feeding people in the future.