PLP: “Bermuda’s Jobs Crisis Is Getting Worse”
[Updated with video] Following the release of the latest Labour Force Survey which showed unemployment increasing to 9% with the workforce having shrunk by 511 workers in 2014, Shadow Finance Minister David Burt said “it is clear that Bermuda’s Jobs Crisis is getting worse under the OBA.”
The 9% unemployment rate in 2014 compares to a 7% unemployment rate in 2013, an 8% unemployment rate in 2012, and a 6% unemployment rate in 2010.
Speaking at a press conference today, Mr Burt said “the numbers speak for themselves” noting that “there were 511 less people working in 2014 than in 2013; a figure that pours cold water on the OBA’s continued talk of recovery” and “the figures show that there were 3,486 people recorded as unemployed, the highest number of people unemployed ever recorded.”
Update: 25-minute video of the full press conference today
Mr Burt added, “The backwards thinking of the OBA that we can give tax breaks to business and the benefits will trickle down to everyday Bermudians is an idea from the past that has failed and will continue to take our country in the wrong direction.
“We believe diversifying our economy should be a priority. We believe that rebuilding our economy with a long term plan for economic growth must be a priority.”
The report [PDF] said, “Persons of black racial heritage represented 2,547 job seekers or 12% compared to 468 whites with 4% unemployment,” and MP Jamahl Simmons spoke on this saying, “With over 3000 Bermudians out of work, black Bermudians made up over 70% of Bermuda’s unemployed. Three times the rate of white unemployment.”
Mr Simmons said, “While we can rationalize this and make excuses, it is evident that in Bermuda’s Jobs Crisis, it is the black community that needs serious help in getting back to work. We cannot fix this unless we face it and pretending these disparities don’t exist, won’t solve the problem.
“No political party has a monopoly on good ideas and in the midst of this Jobs Crisis, the OBA must humble themselves, face reality, be open minded and willing to work on approaches that benefit everyone,” added Mr. Simmons.
Shadow Minister Burt’s full statement follows below:
Today I am going to address the ongoing Jobs Crisis in Bermuda, which was crystalized by the latest unemployment figures which showed record unemployment in Bermuda.
Before I get to the meat of the report, let me address the lateness of this report. During the UBP and OBA time in Opposition, we heard a constant refrain of the need to be timely with statistics. Please note we are receiving this report in January, 2015.
This survey has the same methodology of the survey done in 2012, under the PLP, and that survey was released in October. There is no excuse for the delay and the OBA needs to give a better explanation than the Minister of Finance required additional validation of the statistics. The Minister of Finance cannot be that out of touch to not know that we have a Jobs Crisis here in Bermuda.
The people in the Department of Statistics are professionals, and I don’t think they need their work double checked because the numbers don’t match the OBA’s story of recovery.
Unlike the Minister of Finance, Bermudians didn’t need to hear the latest statistics to know that we are in a Jobs Crisis…each of us have or know someone that has been unemployed for some time, recently lost their job, is living in fear of being made redundant, has had wages slashed, hours reduced, or been forced to leave Bermuda for better opportunities elsewhere.
Bermudians didn’t need to be told that under the OBA, Bermuda now has higher unemployment than we have ever heard before, because we are living it.
There are over 3,000 Bermudians out of work. These are Bermudians who want to be productive, who want to provide for their families…But as the Jobs Crisis continues to drag on they are losing hope. While threats of layoffs and unemployment hang over countless Bermudians, almost every working Bermudian is frustrated at their inability to keep up with the skyrocketing costs of basic necessities.
The numbers speak for themselves:
- There were 511 less people working in 2014 than in 2013; a figure that pours cold water on the OBA’s continued talk of recovery.
- The figures show that there were 3,486 people recorded as unemployed, the highest number of people unemployed ever recorded!
- The figures show that under the OBA, Bermuda is experiencing record unemployment as the unemployment rate of 9% is higher than the 8% recorded in 2012.
- Wages are down 3% as costs continue to rise.
- And the black unemployment rate is triple that of the white unemployment rate.
Bob Richards and the OBA may dismiss unemployed Bermudians as mere statistics, and can call a black unemployment rate 3 times higher than the white unemployment rate, and I quote, “of note” – but we, in the PLP, believe that our people are Bermuda’s greatest resource and that a Bermuda that works for a select few while leaving everyone else behind, is unacceptable.
Two years in to the OBA’s term – it is clear that Bermuda’s Jobs Crisis is getting worse under the OBA. The backwards thinking of the OBA that we can give tax breaks to business and the benefits will trickle down to everyday Bermudians is an idea from the past that has failed and will continue to take our country in the wrong direction.
The OBA likes to talk about incorporations, but incorporations are not what Bermuda needs, Jobs are what Bermuda needs. Bermuda needs a Jobs Plan – and it is clear the OBA do not have one!
We believe diversifying our economy should be a priority. We believe that rebuilding our economy with a long term plan for economic growth must be a priority.
We believe that comprehensive reform is needed to reduce the economic advantages of hiring non-Bermudian workers over Bermudian labour.
The deeper meaning of these numbers is that our economy needs a wholesale overhaul. These numbers prove that the people of Bermuda require the PLP to lead the way in diversifying this economy. We must do everything we can to encourage more of our children to choose careers that provide employment that is recession proof.
Our children must, to borrow from Prof. Mincy, choose jobs that drive the economy and not just jobs that serve it.
-
MP Jamahl Simmons’ full statement follows below:
As much as we would like to think that we live in a post-racial Bermuda, these statistics reveal that when it comes to jobs there is still a lot of work to do on race in Bermuda.
With over 3000 Bermudians out of work, black Bermudians made up over 70% of Bermuda’s unemployed. Three times the rate of white unemployment.
These numbers don’t take into account the number of people who have simply given up looking for work or who have moved to other countries.
While we can rationalize this and make excuses, it is evident that in Bermuda’s Jobs Crisis, it is the black community that needs serious help in getting back to work.
We cannot fix this unless we face it and pretending these disparities don’t exist, won’t solve the problem.
The Finance Minister speculated that the bulk of these unemployed were based in construction and the service industry.
Whether this is true or not is open for debate, but almost 2 years ago, the PLP was pushing for an Infrastructure Development Strategy that would have not only repaired and restored our island’s crumbling infrastructure but would have provided relief to construction companies and construction workers.
Almost 2 years ago the PLP was pushing for the implementation of JobCorps – a programme that would have provided education and training to vulnerable young people to help them establish a career. This would have been an exceptional vocational and academic training opportunity for our unemployed.
No political party has a monopoly on good ideas and in the midst of this Jobs Crisis, the OBA must humble themselves, face reality, be open minded and willing to work on approaches that benefit everyone.
-
PLP Spokesman says “The job situation is grim, but no matter how bad it gets, we can make it worse.”
PLP ensuring more free time for Bermudians since 1998.
The interesting note to the 500 job loss to our economy is that that is about how many people were employed at the hospital construction and while the finish there can’t account for that 500, it does account for the majority of it. And the rise this year over the fall last year should not be a surprise. There simply wasn’t enough construction post hospital to absorb those numbers. And while we can’t blame the PLP for the global economic, they are solely to blame for implementing and maintaining policies that were seen as hostile to the foreign investment that every sector of our economy relies on. And much of that view is reflected in Mr. Simmons’ monochromatic view of this country and who is suffering. We are all suffering. It is also important to note that we could have been in a far better position to be the commanders of more sectors of our economy, had the PLP actually dealt with the failing education when they came to power. I remember it was one of their key grievances in their ’98 platform… yet throughout their tenure, they did nothing, leaving us with further to go.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela
OBA has done nothing to show their policies are any better. They can’t continue to blame the PLP, it certainly won’t work when their term of office is up. For heaven’s sake even the Greek economy is on the up.
It does’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that 8% of the total unemployment percentage is directly related to the PLP when they were in office and only 1% of the total unemployment rate is attributed to the OBA….SO….tell us all who is REALLY more responsible for the highest ever recorded rate of unemployment in Bermuda’s history???? Mr. Burt…STOP YA NONSENSE!!!
After the 14 year reign of terror by the plp towards ex pats and off shore business people these few job losses are nothing compared to what they lost!
And PLP gave more work permits then ever, make your mind up.
OBA/ubp are a disgrace and the amount of Sh17 theyve been involved with in just 2 years is an embarrassment even though it is hard for a certain segment to accept it.
Like what. You mean Jetgate, that is the best you got? What else have they been “involved in”. Would you like to compare notes?
Jetgate involved money given to the OBA for use by the OBA, and even so the Premier resigned.
In 14 years the PLP government managed to “lose” 800 million dollars of the PEOPLES money and nobody knows where it went???? Was that incompetence , bad management?
I await your response>
That’s right, they gave out 1000 work permits, while sending 1000 packing!!!
And I suppose the way to fix this is to vote you – the completely incompetent PLP back in?
Yeah right!
If we can just hold on until 2017 all will be fine!
MP Jamahl Simmons spoke on this saying, “With over 3000 Bermudians out of work, black Bermudians made up over 70% of Bermuda’s unemployed. Three times the rate of white unemployment.”
Isn’t this the approximate racial demographic of the Island’s population currently? I am unsure about what he is trying to say?
So is he.
Wow he must be mathematically and statistically inept.
Actually, according to the 2010 Census, the racial distribution of the population was:
Black alone: 54%
White alone: 31%
Mixed: 8%
Asian 4%
Other: 4%
Source: http://www.govsubportal.com/images/Cabinet_Office/Dept_of_Statistics/Docs/Census/Census2010/Census%20Report%202010-Final%20(2).pdf
So how does Jamahl get the to the conclusion that black unemployment is ‘three times the rate of white unemployment’ from that?
He’s not telling the truth. What a surprise.
Um – that chart adds to 101% (excluding the <1% denoted as not stated – so almost 102%) … doesn't inspire a great deal of confidence in their math abilities !
Yes in the 2010 census 34% gave their racial identity as white.
The question is who is going to fix the unemployment problem.
The PLP can make claims of it getting worse – but offer no real solutions – infect I don’t think the OBA doesn’t want to
hear what ideas that they have anyway.
On the other side of the Coin – the OBA clairly knows that the unemployment problem is a thorn in there backsides.
so will this problem go on to the next election or will it be solved.
If its not solved the OBA can kiss being the running Govt. good buy! — this is going to get real crazy!
nice try fella’s ….. c u in 3 years
Help me understand something please.
When the topic of immigration arises, the PLP are accused of issuing more work permits than any other administration. They were and are still are criticized for their liberal work permit policy which saw an influx of workers come to Bermuda.
When the topic of the economy arises, the PLP is accused of being anti business and chasing away the expat workers.
How can the PLP be both anti expat and too liberal on work permits? This paradox is astounding.
You need help with that? You obviously don’t eat out much. There’s a huge difference between IB jobs and “the jobs any Bermudian can do”.
Friend,
So the PLP are pro expat, or at least not anti expat, when it comes to blue collar or non IB jobs?
But when it comes to IB only, the PLP are anti expat?
So, according to you, the PLP are anti expat IB, but pro expat non-IB.
I didn’t say either, I’ll leave that to the cheerleaders. However, the numbers show the plp granted more work permits in their time than ever before. They obviously weren’t going to IB since those jobs were declining. So where did they go? This created a problem because it took away from the pool of jobs that a Bermudian, with just a high school diploma, could do. This also created a problem because one group spends their money at grocery stores while the other over fishes our water. One group buys good on island while the other, well, go stand outside Western Union for a bit.
What is astounding is the inability of some people to understand the point.
Friend, please enlighten and educate us. Can you please offer up an explanation?
Anti-business is not the same as anti-ex-pat.
Funny that you lot said nothing when Burch claimed that all the For Sale signs he saw made him smile. You smiled along with him, right up until you lost the election.
“The backwards thinking of the OBA that we can give tax breaks to business and the benefits will trickle down to everyday Bermudians is an idea from the past that has failed and will continue to take our country in the wrong direction.”
Why did you give the Green Family concessions then? How do you think it should work, handing out cash for nothing? probably.
“We believe diversifying our economy should be a priority. We believe that rebuilding our economy with a long term plan for economic growth must be a priority”
You can believe whatever you like. How about coming up with something other than sea bed mining and online gambling?
Too bad the island is broke!!!! I would be all in favor in Government spending on a well deserved first class cruise for all our past and present plp leaders and politicians to the Bermuda triangle!
PLP was bad….OBA is Bad so we all losing…one thing you can’t change is facts…and it’s a fact that this is the highest unemployment rate since records have been taking…Another fact is OBA said they would fix this and in two years plus they haven’t fixed a thing…Ac35 is only a couple months in Bermuda so what happens after that’s done because that seem like the smokescreen to keep ppl happy.
It’s based on a sample of 1500 respondents.
How many didn’t respond because they were at work or just got home from work and didn’t want to be bothered with telephone surveys.
1500 on an island this small, could so easily have picked 50% unemployed or 99 % employed depending on so many variables.
please can the Government statistics office provide the name of the company that conducted the survey, the times of all the calls and the number of non respondents.
I heard today about yet another merger looming which is has the potential to send the unemployment number skyward
The construction industry has been recovering well and looks very promising in 2015 and beyond. I don’t know of anyone good who is out of work in construction. If I did I would hire them.
IF YOU PEOPLE LISTENED YOU MIGHT HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING…BERMUDA, ALONG WITH MOST COUNTRIES ARE FINISHED, THERE IS A BUBBLE BEING INFLATED WITH FALSE SENSES OF SECURITY, AND IT WILL BURST VERY SHORTLY, YOU WILL WAKE UP ONE MORNING TO THE LIKES OF HAITI N MANY MORE…THIS COMMENT WILL NOT BE UNDERSTOOD BY MANY…SO YOU CAN IGNORE IT AND SUFFER OR PREPARE AND SURVIVE.
Get out much?
You been building a doomsday nuclear bunker in your back yard?
So why are you hear? If you know so much, why not go to a place where your bubble won’t pop.
Wealth Inequality in America…but if you think it doesn’t apply here you are dead and don’t know it!! do yourself a favor and watch this…
MUST WATCH!IF YOU DON’T WATCH…THEN DON’T TALK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM
A youtube video. From 2012. You really think that is going to scare the 85% of the level-headed thinking Bermudians? Me thinks it is YOU that want us to become a third-world country.
First of all the PLP will always have backlash.I think they have to first realize that they have to take alot of the blame for the position where in. From the cog in the wheel to the premier at the time just writting checks and not saving for a rainy day. Once they realize,admit and come to terms with that people might actually start beleiving them, or at least listening.
And as i have stated in my previous post i dont support party politics, i support right and intelligent decisions.
The disparities don’t exist, stop pretending they do.
And so I guess the PLP know how to turn things around real fast …….mmmm right just more mud slinging to me well they have enough UPB members onboard now they might just
Surely if our race makeup is 70 / 30 the unemployment or indeed any other stats would reflect that. Not even sure why that would be relevant or is it only relevant to the PLP
Actually, according to the 2010 Census, the racial distribution was as follows:
Black alone: 54%
White alone: 31%
Mixed race: 8%
Asian: 4%
Other: 4%
Source (pg 12):
http://www.govsubportal.com/images/Cabinet_Office/Dept_of_Statistics/Docs/Census/Census2010/Census%20Report%202010-Final%20(2).pdf
What the PLP isn’t mentioning is that the number of employed Bermudians has increased every year.
Employed Bermudians:
2012: 27,276
2013: 27,309
2014: 27,466
Not a huge increase, but an increase none-the-less. This has two impacts:
1) It proves that the OBA work permit policy did not have the effect that the PLP tried to scare us into thinking it would. During the time of the policy more Bermudians were employed.
2) It means that the decline in 511 workers was entirely foreign workers. This is clear on page 5 of the report where “Other non-Bermudians” employed declined from 5,443 to 4,416. That means over 1,000 non-Bermudians lost jobs and all but 511 of those jobs were replaced with Bermudians or spouses of Bermudians.
The one area where the PLP are correct is the disproportionate decline in jobs among blacks. The 2014 number is still up from 2012, but is down 1,000 from 2013.
There is room for improvement, but the country as a whole is doing better since the OBA took over.
Exactly. I’m not sure why more people haven’t noticed this.
More Bermudians, spouses and PRC working and fewer of those dang furreners. Shouldn’t that make the PLP happy?
A Bermudian is a Bermudian …I don’t care what color you are! STOP MAKING EVERYTHING ANOUT BLACK AND WHITE! Just stop it!
So 70% of Bermudians are black – and PLP is upset that 70% of the unemployed are black??????
They clearly don’t understand the most basic of mathematics. And they want to run the country???
They shouldn’t be allowed to run a bath!!!
Only PLP could take something like this and make it all about race.
The Port Royal Maths problem that the PLP has left us with:
$4m + x = $24m
Find x.
Go on, try!
Actually, according to the 2010 Census, the racial distribution of the population was:
Black alone: 54%
White alone: 31%
Mixed: 8%
Asian 4%
Other: 4%
Source: http://www.govsubportal.com/images/Cabinet_Office/Dept_of_Statistics/Docs/Census/Census2010/Census%20Report%202010-Final%20(2).pdf
Pure politicking. Quotes such as “We must do everything we can to encourage more of our children to choose careers that provide employment that is recession proof”. What does this mean? Where are those jobs, they have to be created and Governments can only put in place the framework for the private sector to create the jobs. That means BUSINESSES. Yet the PLP are also blasting the OBA for helping BUSINESSES. So what is it? You want jobs or just want to electioneer? At least they are admitting there is a crisis, which did not begin in 2012.
I am the son of a working man and I am proud of it.
There are plenty of jobs available but unfortunately if you are “picky” then you are out of luck,” Work is work”.
I was out of work for about 6 months I had plenty of time to contemplate my situation , do not let your self fall into depression and despair, we are all good with our hands and the tools of our trades .
Become a registered Carpenter, Plumber or Painter go to the Bermuda College get that certificate, get you credits ,even if you have been doing your trade for years, you need papers today.
I came to the conclusion to that to change direction was not the answer meaning that, for example, a painter can not be a carpenter over night do not put your hands in another mans pocket.
People have to realize that they are best suited in the job that they are good at and may I remind you that all the trades are a very “honorable institutions”.
My dad was a Trades Workman
You no doubt have noticed , I use lots of sayings here is another one ” half a cake is better than no cake” you may have to work longer and harder and more efficiently at least you can put food on the table all you have to do is make your self available, siting home will not solve your problems, there will be disappointments, I know !
~~~~~~~~~~~” Get over it” “Ride the waves”.~~~~~~~~~~~
New Construction has slowed down but Maintenance and Repair work has not. Consider joining forces with your brother.
Weird. I have been turning down work because I’m to busy. I think it is the work ethic of many that cause them to find work at the end of the day. But. what govt can do is maybe open a class where it teaches Bermudians how to type a Resume’ and CV. That would help a bunch when looking for a job. I have seen a lot of shotty resumes’. No one makes them very attractive any more. You need to remember you are basically selling yourself to the company on why they should hire you over others.
Can they also give a class on how to show up to an interview on time? I’ve had Bermudians arrive late or not at all.
The Emperor Hath No Clothes.
Bermuda’s economy has been lucky so long, it is now apparent that the skills required to stop the decline do not lie with the two political parties.
Quo Fata Ferunt folks.
Civil service is too large, we have too many monopolies, we have too many restrictions on creativity.
I am amazed at how the members of the PLP can sit there, try talking sensably and blame the OBA for all the problems. Do they really think that we are stupid. You, the PLP are the ones that have ruined this Island Home of ours. So many out of work, so many losing their homes, so many not able to properly educate their children, so many elderly not being able to get by. It is all the fault of the PLP, they were given a Island that was prosperous and then ruined it.
Mr. David Burt………..” DO THE TALK “.
I am surprised that the P.L.P O.B.A B.P.S.A and the B.I.U. don’t join forces and put on a spectacular
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “TRADE SHOW”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
to show case the ~~~TRADES OF WORKING MAN~~~
Waiters
Bartenders
Truck drivers
Painters
Carpenters
Plumbers
Chamber maids
Entertainers
Landscaping
Masons
Heating and Cooling People
Computer people
Communications people …… AND >>>>>
We don’t need companies and corporations in Bermuda, we need jobs.
Where do jobs come from you Muppet. companies and corporations pay taxes for their employees these taxes in turn are used to pay off the massive debt that the plp have left us with. Next lets look at your beloved biu accounts statements, when were they supposed to be released, that is still fine with you I’m sure.
Do you remember when locals would buy houses and rent them out to corporations and companies and live in other rented accommodations themselves?
Burt is deliberately misleading people.
1. PLP has to own the unemployment for 2012 AND 2013.
2. It takes time to undo the bad policies of the PLP, implement better policies and WAIT to see if the policies are working
3. He offered no solutions to fix the economy.
4. You would have to be a complete moron to say publicly that things aren’t improving
The question you have to ask yourself is where would Bermuda be if the OBA weren’t in power and would we have the AC on the horizon and further commercial and residential development?
I think not.
all of you are fools
The PLP is out doing what they do best these days. They are out in that hay field looking for straws. Trouble is, the OBA machinery is working so well that there are few straws for the PLP to grasp at.
Sad really. They would like to think that they are capable of Governing Bermuda. Well, the 14 year experiment failed, & it failed miserably.
Bermuda simply cannot afford another PLP Government. The first one left us broke & costs us well over $10,000 per HOUR 24 hours a day, 365 days a year just to pay interest on the debt.
The PLP wants us to listen to them???? I think not.
Worse compared to what?
I so clearly remember when our previous government came up with the idea of “term limits”. IB warned us of its devastating impact on their business. But no….we only heard complaints from our leaders of “our roads are too crowded”, “our schools are too full” , “we need sustainable development” (don’t hear a peep about that anymore do we?)
Remember the idea that was suggested that as our roads are so crowded, maybe expats could be limited to only driving every other day according to their license plate number?
We literally chased away our clients with this ill thought out policy of “term limits”. It was the dagger in Bermuda’s heart.
It was a horrendous mistake. Poorly thought out. Poorly implemented and hurt us all. I wish we all had the fortitude stand up against this policy in 2000 when it was floated. I wish our previous government would apologize to us all for this dagger in our “financial” hearts. It ruined our businesses and I am angry.
This.
Rebuilding and economy a does not happen over night and the OBA never said 2,000 were going to be created over night . It also looks like America’s Cup will bale the OBA off thiier bold prediction. I look at our economy much like a struggling sports francise that is building its team around young talent like the TA . We might suffer some loses before we get better which we have but we are now primed for the future . I am confident in the OBA strategy for long term success for all BERMUDIANS..
The PLP have some dynamic young politicians but they are just that and only after YOUR VOTE with pie in the sky ideas supporte only bt racial rhetoric.
Stephen: People who tried to stand up against PLP were repeatedly called racist, or Uncle Toms. It was an impossible and very unproductive situation which will be repeated if we are foolish enough to vote the PLP back in.
Unfortunately, half the voting public is below average intellect. This is not an insult, but a true and very worrying fact.
“With over 3000 Bermudians out of work, black Bermudians made up over 70% of Bermuda’s unemployed. Three times the rate of white unemployment.”
In a country that is 60%-70% black, I’d say that’s a correct number. Stop trying to insinuate that racism is at play. That’s not the case. We all are having a hard time finding work.
“The backwards thinking of the OBA that we can give tax breaks to business and the benefits will trickle down to everyday Bermudians is an idea from the past that has failed and will continue to take our country in the wrong direction.”
You mean the exact same thing the PLP did???
Give me a break. Stop with the spin. Stop pretending to be democratic, when you yourself are republican.
The OBA are a good government but terrible politicians and the PLP are the other way around. The PLP are doing a great job at deflecting our attention away from the fact that currently unemployment and stagnant economy are directly related to their bad policies and the OBA just sit there and take it. Time to man up and go on the offensive against the PLP. “The negative trend of unemployment is yet another by product of failed PLP policies. People, this is what happens when you drive out international business and scare investors…”. SMH
Thats what you get Burt, when you F*#% with immigration policies too much. Now if your party could just admit to it and all the other F*#%ups then we could move forward together. If not, get out of the way and let the professionals cleanup your mess. Thank you
WE THE PEOPLE.
Dealing with Economics and the economy can be a very complicated exercise depends who is telling the story.
Bermuda has not recovered from the Recession.
Bermuda has nearly recovered from the Recession.
Bermuda will never recover from the Recession.
This is not the first time that Bermuda has had to endure a recession, the last time the local banks saved the day.
Bermuda needs to revalue and re – evaluate its self in other words do not sell your selves short, as the economy of our nearest neighbor improves so must we do like wise one step at a time.
Dismiss the preachers of gloom and doom.
There are two Institution that control the economy and both are controlled by the people, that goes for every country on the planet,the are Government and the Banks who hold the biggest pieces of the pie.
Both of these institution need to work together for any economy to survive and if they don’t every body looses.
Banks and Government will go under as a direct result of unemployment,with out the people contributing to the economy the Banks loose business and the Government will have a tax shortfall.
Neither institution can survive with out the benefit of the third component in the puzzle, The WORKING MAN and WOMAN.
The WORKING MEN and WOMEN who don’t mind getting their hands dirty because they are the countries life guards neither institution and including local retail business can survive with out them.
Only the best of the best WORKING MAN will survive,
second best will not do any more.
Do we have more people counting BEANS that we have growing them ?
YOU LET GO YOUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE, YOUR SENIOR
CITIZENS, NOW YOU ARE PAYING THE PRICE.
Pulp …you are so. Full of ship!
The majority of Bermudians are well aware that it’s going to take a while to fix what was happening in Bermuda. It isn’t going to turn around in a year, or two, it’s going to take a while.
We’d all like to see change happen faster. Of course we would, because if it’s not us suffering we’ve got friends or family that are in dire straits.
But right now, we’ve got hope, which is far more than we’d had in the past.
I just really wish the PLP would make efforts to work with the Government instead of doing nothing but point out how awful they think they are.
How about a public discussion. OBA and the PLP talking together, in front of an audience, on their ideas and plans going forward, and then taking questions from the audience afterwards. No grandstanding. No protesting. Just honest, hopefully productive, talks that would lead to action on both sides.
I honestly believe that both opposition and Government working together would be hugely helpful to the island in so many ways.
The PLP unfortunately still have a BIG “colour chip” on their shoulders!! A lot of them (PLP) somehow think that the white business establishment still owe them a “living”!!
THEY HAVE NO SHAME!!
Is it just me, or did M.P. Burt not take any reponsibilty for the fact that unemployment GREW from ZERO in 2008 to more than 3,000 individuals by the end of 2012 when the OBA were ELECTED to fix the “free fall” that his PLP administration were INCAPABLE of fixing?!?!
What did the PLP do to arrest the rise of unemployment to EIGHT PERCENT?
What did the PLP do do halt the exodus of International Business?
What did the PLP do do DIVERSIFY the economy from 2008 to 2012?
What did the PLP do to EXPORT all of those foreign workers who had been given Work Permits while 3,000 + BERMUDIANS WERE UNEMPLOYED?!?!
IN YOUR NEXT PRESS CONFERENCE , PLP, ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST!!!!
The PLP made this situation
scaring of foreign owned business. Foreign business sent this country a message!!!! Did you hear it?; “WE DONT NEED YOU…WE CAN LEAVE ANYTIME” And they did, due to the unfriendly PLP
You sent home foreign workers all of whom pay tax, rent homes, buy gas and food and generally spend $3000 a month before they break even
Read my calculations on money foreigners spend in your country;
$3000 living expenses per month spent*12 months=$36000 each person injected into the economy every year
$36000*4000 people sent home= $144000000.28cents
144million and 28cents kicked out of the country
overspending by people that have ZERO experience with money other than knowing what rims to buy or the latest most fashionable suit or phone.
And yet YOU PEOPLE want to vost them back in…you’re even more stupid than i initially thought
And what happened under the 14 yrs of the PLP’s weak attempt at governing such a small Island??? OH… that’s right the *BUDGET DEFICIT* rose to 2+ BILLION $$$!!
CASE CLOSED!!!