Premier: Position On Pathways Remains Same
In the House of Assembly today [March 11], Opposition Leader Marc Bean asked Premier Michael Dunkley if the Government’s position on the Pathways to Status immigration initiative would change given today’s withdrawal of labour, with the Premier indicating that the Government’s position “remains the same.”
Mr Bean asked, “In light of this strike action, can the honourable Premier share with this House if the Government’s current position on Pathways to Status is unchanged,” and the Premier responded by saying the Government’s “current position remains the same.”
The withdrawal of labour has resulted in the loss of bus and ferry service as well as the cancellation of garbage collection and you can follow our live updates here.
The immigration policy proposed by the Government would allow people ordinarily resident in Bermuda for 15 years to become eligible to apply for permanent residency, and any permanent resident who is ordinarily resident in Bermuda for 20 years becoming eligible to apply for Bermudian status.
Since the announcement was made on February 5th, the topic has remained in the headlines, with five protests held in relation to it over the past month, and petitions being launched on both sides of the topic.
Opposition Leader Marc Bean questions Premier Dunkley in the House of Assembly:
#1 | Opposition MPs question Premier Dunkley in the House of Assembly:
#2 | Opposition MPs question questions Premier Dunkley in House of Assembly:
Premier Dunkley’s press conference that was held this afternoon:
to Premier Dunkley..do not cave to this political PLP farce..the overwhelming majority of Bermuda support Government efforts
OVERWHELMING majority my A$$.
The Premier needs to push this for the next election. All of Bermuda needs to have a say. Not some online poll which is bogus. What is the OBA afraid of. They claim to have the numbers.
Case Closed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Because they were mandated to do things differently from the PLP and fix the issues they made though their mismangement and neglect of our affairs. Whether they campaigned on it or not is pointless, court rulings have placed the immigration issues among the forefront to be solved and that is what they are doing. And they are doing it with the majority consensus, even the PLP know this, after all they had a poll tell them this back when they were piece mealing the PRC solution. They just chose to ignore the majority then, while the OBA aren’t now.
I’ll support any method that has the potential of keeping the PLP party from getting back into power and destroying our country for a second time.
The overwhelming majority of TRUE
Simpleton
Stay the course Michael!!!!! Stay the course!!!
This nonsense has to stop NOW!!!!!!
We’re all on your side ….Faye……I’m proud to be a 16 generation Bermudian!
I certainly argree. Premier, do not back down to 300 people who welcome any excuse not to go to work.
You must notice that you start to see the same faces every time there is a walk out.
300 people do not represent the rest of the island.
Premier Michael Dunkley does have, “co-hoonies” I thank you for showing us… Now all you, (O.B.A.) must do to stop the B.S. is to bring in the the British troops for Bermudas security, “the local police are limited big time”
A quotable quote by Malcolm X.
“To help yourself you must respect yourself, educate yourself, improve yourself and protect yourself. Attachment to drugs / alcohol and sexual promiscuity and material goods have only short term rewards, they’re just a form of slavery…Liberation; comes with health, education, responsibility, financial independence, family stability and community services.” (End of quote)
And so it should be. This too shall pass. A few frustrated non workers is all it is.
When the hotels go out you will listen. They will call and tell you what is going to happen. Ya not running things!
If the Hotels go out they will not be returning to jobs, the hotels will close down. It’s not like the affluent 80′s
Look around. Recall all of the hotel & guest house propertys that existed prior to the week that tourism died in the summer of 1981 compared to what is left today.
Prior to 1981 hotels were begging the DOT to be allowed more beds. Ships we did not need nor care about. They came here on our terms.
Now the BTA begs for hotels & such to expand & add beds. The ships tell us under what conditions they will visit.
Well done BIU. Tourism virtually destroyed now this. A wildcat strike that has nothing to do with tourism. It does not even have anything to do with the BIU.
Hotels will not go out. Hotel workers can by fired and hopefully will be fired unlike government workers.
Not when they all stand strong together. You fire one man or woman and you think things are bad now! I’m already locked my doors!
I dont think the hotels are bursting at the seems at the moment…..
You seem to think the thug way of running things is the right way. You are wrong. You are willing to destroy this island for petty politics. Shame on you.
@san george you are an a** is this comment some form of threat ya not running things either ah
Premier please do not give into this foolishness . The people voted the OBA to run Bermuda not the BIU !
and PLP with be back in power next election
If that happens, this island will go to sh*t once again.
I think the island is in sh@T now.
…and guess what REAL BORN BERMUDIANS will stay here and build up our country again!! We were born here we don’t have the privilege of packing up and travelling back to our country of Birth because this is where we were born!!
It will be interesting to see who does leave for the UK
Actually you do have every right to go and live in the UK and rest of Europe. Just out of interest when you do build your country back up again what are you going to be selling to pay for education, huge civil service, roads, etc?
& unfortunately for us other Bermudians you are ruining Bermuda with your ignorant mindset! Cheeeeers aceboy.
actually you do, silly goose, anywhere in the EU
real Bermudians meaning PLP voting Bermudians?
no i wont
Build what up again. Do you f’n think people will invest millions again with a Russian roulette playing guy running the unions.
If I was a hotelier I would rather take my chances in Cuba, Mexico, DR, Costa Rica or one of the dozens of other places where my money can go further than have to deal with Chris Furbert and company.
in the 14 years that the PLP were in power and things went downhill hudreds of Bermudians became expats and moved to the UK They didn’t hang around to rebuild!!! You are a fool
You fools put faith and listed to Chris Furbert, a man who leads them union and can not manage it? The financial books were 10 years in arrears. How do the members know where their money is.
You also ytake direction from an opposition that during their 14 years made $800m million disappear!!!!
You are all fools.
to suspicious:::: So true.We will stay and rebuild our beloved BERMUDA .
And there you hit the nail on the head – what about all the REAL BORN Bermudian children who have only ever known here as home and who have no rights – and are told to go back where they came from – TOTALLY unacceptable from a human rights stance – and YES you do have the EU choice of travelling to and living wherever you choose.
HAITI?????? is what it will be
Not a chance. If they would just let the seeds the OBA are planting grow then no way the PLP gets in. If the PLP burn the place down then they still won’t get in. The loud minority will get the PLP a few seats as usual but that’s it. Most voters don’t want chaos and hatred in charge believe it or not and that is the PLP right now.
@ “Bullseye” all you’ve written is true…The ole saying is, “your own fleas bite the hardest” If anyone don’t believe me then do that dumb crap to cause havoc! “-ountsssss bunch” fill in the gap
And that is how the process works, if the PLP are voted in then they have the mandate. They do not have the mandate now, the OBA does.
This is the real issue at hand, this protest and demand that the PLP be consulted on every decision is foolishness.
I have no idea why anyone would think the same people that got us into this gigantic mess will be able to get us out! The PLP haven’t even admitted they spent too much goodamn money!!!! Sometimes I really wonder about the mental state of many in this country. Why don’t you try to look at the facts for just oncenin your life and not run on emotion!
GOOD!
I sure hope you realize just what you’re saying! When the hotel workers down tools, beware, cause the ex=pats are at the airport coming soon! Bye Bye to Bermudian jobs! Is this really what you want? Wow.
You obviously have no clue what this whole thing is about do you? We’re offering people who have been here for more than 15 years a chance to gain status.
No one is just opening up the the island for anyone to become a bermudian..
Great. Now use your new found backbone and trim the civil service down to a manageable size.
Starting with those that didn’t show up for work today
How can they do that? That would leave 5000 plus Bermudians not getting a free handout, sorry I meant paycheck each week? Just remind me again how much debt Bermuda is in because of the civil service?
This is the best gift OBA could have given PLP, just when they were having leadership issues. immigration is one of PLP unifying corner stone.
LOL… The PLP has no idea what to do with immigration, in 14 years all they did was screw up immigration, term limits (a huge failure) then created loophole in the act that allowed for citizenship.
The OBA has taken this loophole and made it fair for all.
BUT, when immigration issue come up they show up.. they even went against Dr. Brown on Uighurs..
note to Hotels – withdrawal of labour is becoming routine instead be proactive to ensure your guests do not experience any downgrade in their experience by:
1) providing a shuttle service to popular attractions and/or having a contingency of drivers with transportation who are willing to ferry your guests to restaurants etc in the evenings.
2) organizing a voucher system to be cross-honoured by the Taxi Industry/Minibuses/HITCH
To the TAXI Industry and others, when this Island is under siege/denied labour – there should be a ‘strike’ rate that is considerably less than the normal rate. Be a part of the solution and not profit from the misfortune of others.
Why should hotels have to pay for taxis, or taxis have to work for less money, all because some selfish individuals don’t want to work?
Or just go to the bus stop. One thing I have seen a lot of is locals stopping to pick up strangers at the bus stop. Well done Bermuda.
I hope the premier sticks to his word…… The OBA is running BDA not Chris Furbert and not the PLP….
Bad timing for the union if they pull hotel workers. It may result in a lockout. This is not a good time of the year for that nonsense.
The reason for this immigration change is for Bermuda to sustain it’s population. If we do not do this, then the luxuries that we have today, ie, a car, a bike, a house, etc will become a thing of the past because we will bury our paycheck to taxes in order for Bermuda to continue to survive. It really is sad that people do not understand the real meaning of what this government is trying to do.
@ It really too bad people do not understand what all of this means: if this is simply about sustaining the population, easy fix, put the programs in place that encourage the average Bermudian family to have a minimum of 4 children.
Wow, I mean really, wow. That short sighted thinking is reflective of exactly why we had a near debt disaster to begin with, and now you suggest this. We need an increase in stable work force now, not in 25 years. That stable work force needs to be predominantly in the business sector, as that will provide money to sustain the trades.
Did you really just write that? I am afraid that we need adults in the population NOW! (You’ve heard about the debt right?) We need people who are paying taxes and generating jobs for Bermudians. I suggest that bermudians have as many children as they can afford to look after (In my case that’s two, that I can educate.
WTH did I just read?!?
And how is the average Bermudian family going to be able to afford raising 4 children? That would mean supporting a family of 6 people?
Premier Dunkley / OBA – Get this tabled and passed. Enough. Enough of BIU/PLP/PC/CURB/IRAG foolishness and false representation, lies, threats and thug bullying behaviour. The PLP lost the election and the other “pretenders” are not nor will they ever be, in the running. The OBA won the election and given the mandate to run this country. So do it already.
Meanwhile here in Canada, they just accepted 25,000 Syrian refuges with open arms! Even paid for there flight here and gave them a place to stay until they get on there feet. And theirs Bermudians grumbling about people who have lived here for 20+ years, who are practically Bermudian, getting status. Don’t tell me about it being a small place and blah blah blah. These people have already lived here for a lifetime!
SMH!
The Pathways to Status should be based on case by case and not across the board and given to every and anybody that has been here for the 20 or so years. I just don’t understand, where would the opportunities be for young Bermuda?
This may even cost us more because I work with foreigners and the conversation had has been that they look forward to getting it and never having to leave their job but they won’t ever retire here because it’s just too expensive. So they come here make their money and send it home and the bonus we give them is status? Then they retire in their homeland?
So would that mean their pension and social insurance would be paid overseas to them and thats more money we pay out? I am just trying to understand this?
They will be looked at on a case by case, each person has to apply and each application has to be vetted. And there are Bermudians that retire elsewhere, or have homes elsewhere as well. Not really going to change much.
I hear you, but I think part of the reason is that they never know when they will be told to leave, so they don’t invest. If they can stay, then I think they will but know they could not afford to retire here, so helping the ageing population. Yes their pension would be overseas, but they paid into that and would receive it here or away anyway, only difference is the grocery bills would not go back into Lindos/Markertplace etc …….
I see the PLP supporters in the pictures however the OBA supporters are at work
*Correction* Some of whom have been here a lifetime!
Mr Premier. PLEASE DO NOT BEND to the new arm of the PLP ( so called Peoples Camp ) and the union, for they know caught of what they spew
Michael Dunkley is stubborn and when he makes his mind up he will not change it. He says he’s listening but that’s all he does, he puts out a sympathetic ear and that’s all he does, once he’s made up his mind that’s it. It’s his way or the highway. Believe me I know.
OK, when he has made up his mind he does not change it. A good thing. Don’t want some flip flop as Premier.
You must be confusing him with a former Premier if you think that he operates without advice & is dictatorial.
news flash If things get violent the British troops arrive remember we are still British colony there will be no take over .
As you say we are still a British colony, why are so many people making comments about Bermudians living in t UK? Do we not have a right as a British colony to live there? I’m just saying…..
Not true a bermudian can apply for a British passport which is an EU passport which entitles Bermudians to live and work freely in all EEC countries wow imagine that check it out .
The ships are on standby waiting for the signal.
The OBA government shall implode because of the wrong pathway chosen .
More likely the Government will implode because of debt used to pay BIU workers. That is the PLP pathway chosen
all these paid bloggers!
Where do we collect then? I’ve been asking this for years.
Well said Mr. Dunkley.
BIU/PLP are using undemocratic bully tactics and shouting people down.
This disrespects our democratically elected Government.
Dunkley – we support you. You are right.
The BIU/PLP want their rights but to block the rights of everyone else.
Bermuda is legally obliged to grant status to a few hundred people..
I protest the protest. #iprotesttheprotest