Column: “Our Population Is Shrinking Rapidly”
[Opinion column written by Minister Michael Fahy]
Bermuda faces a demographic crisis.
Our population is shrinking rapidly and, as it shrinks, the tax bill that the younger, working population must pay to fund such things as health care and pensions for seniors, increases dramatically.
Many independent commentators such as the Fiscal Responsibility Panel, the SAGE Commission, Sir John Swan, Larry Burchall, Nathan Kowalski and the Chamber of Commerce have spoken of the need for Bermuda to increase its population to make sure taxes on the working population don’t rise to painful levels.
The Fiscal Responsibility Panel recognized that one of the causes of this coming demographic crisis is that Bermudians are going abroad to live. Their recommendation was that to keep our population in better balance we should act quickly to stop and reverse this population problem.
How can this be achieved?
- (1) By increasing immigration to Bermuda;
- (2) By decreasing emigration from Bermuda; and
- (3) By encouraging skilled young Bermudians living overseas to return home to put their skills to use in our economy.
In order to decrease emigration from Bermuda, my Ministry’s Pathways to Status plan is aimed at reducing the risk of losing long-term residents. Many of those long-term residents are young people born in Bermuda or who arrived in Bermuda at a young age, who now know no other home. As they approach their working years, there is a real risk that they may be forced to leave Bermuda, which we can ill afford.
We are not alone in having a need to attract new residents. Some of the countries with which we compete for international business, including the Caymans, BVI and the Channel Islands, have put in place very generous pathways to permanent residence. Our “Pathways” will create an incentive structure that allows Bermuda to compete with those countries for the best and brightest human resources from around the world.
Once again – this is not just the OBA Government saying this. Various independent commentators and experts agree with us.
To further decrease outward migration from Bermuda, and to encourage Bermudians now living abroad to return, the Government is stoking the fires of job creation. We are imposing prudence on Government finances, preventing the tax burden from getting out of control in the coming years, and encouraging inward foreign investment.
Various new projects are coming online in the immediate future: a new hotel in St. George’s, the redevelopment of Morgan’s Point, the building of a new airport, the America’s Cup and various other projects up and down Bermuda. The buzz and excitement created by these initiatives has led us to record business and retail confidence as reported in recent weeks.
Despite that positive news, however, there is an unfortunate narrative that critics of “Pathways” have begun to spread, namely, that Bermudians are being forced to leave Bermuda because of the policies of this Government.
Before you buy into that theory, think about the many complex reasons why Bermudians chose to live overseas.
- They will often go to university abroad and leverage their experience and contacts to obtain a job in that country.
- The current generation of young Bermudians is increasingly global in their outlook and crave opportunities to expand their horizons.
- Some find love overseas and choose to build a new life with their partners there.
- Others specifically seek job opportunities that do not exist in an economy as small as ours, in fields that do not exist in Bermuda.
- Some Bermudians who are unfortunately touched by the gang problem in Bermuda have gone overseas to escape any risk of harm to themselves or their family.
- Older Bermudians are choosing to retire overseas.
- Finally, some Bermudians will take advantage of their British citizenship and relocate to the UK. That jurisdiction has a lot of ‘pull’ factors making relocation attractive, such as the National Health Service, Child Benefits, inexpensive housing, JobSeekers Allowance and a plethora of other tax credits which Bermuda’s tax base simply cannot afford to support.
Think, too, about this: Emigration of Bermudians was well underway during the boom years before the Great Recession [which began at the end of 2008] and certainly before the OBA Government came to office. Census data from 2010 confirms this, and the chart below charts the number of Bermudians and non-Bermudians leaving from 2001 to 2009. Notice also the sudden upswing in 2003 to 2005 which corresponded with newfound freedoms for Bermudians as UK and EU citizens.
Between 2001 and 2008 [inclusive of those years], some 549 Bermudians left Bermuda. This is likely an underestimation.
Job surveys conducted by the Department of Statistics show a loss of 1,701 Bermudians from the national workforce between 2000 and 2008. What is also interesting to note is that the later uptick in emigration was driven by the loss of non-Bermudians rather than Bermudians.
This also serves to reinforce a point that I have made time and time again. Bermuda’s recent economic boom coincided with a larger residential population which was driven by the presence of non-Bermudians.
Conversely, our recent economic downturn was driven by an exodus of people of working age and the corresponding shrinkage of our tax base. One commentator has estimated that Bermuda’s population fell by 6,000 between 2008 and 2012. This trend would certainly have continued in the years since. Some others estimate that as many as 10,000 residents – residents, not necessarily Bermudians – may have left Bermuda since 2008.
And finally, think about the positive economic benefits that anmmigration policy which reverses the hollowing out of our population will have:
- More employees mean more payroll taxes and more residents mean more customs duties. This eases Government’s financial burden and maintains the level of services Bermudians rely on;
- Younger, healthier workers pay into our health care system to support our aging Bermuda population – our median age was 26 in 1960, it was 41 in 2010, and it is projected to rise to 46 in 2020;
- Those same workers paying for health insurance are paying into the Mutual Reinsurance Fund which in turn subsidizes HIP and FutureCare – government programmes our more vulnerable residents rely on;
- In addition, they are paying more into Social Insurance – the Contributory Pension Fund is underfunded by 46% or $2.07 billion, and will come under increasing strain with more being paid out and less being paid in;
- More employees mean fewer empty houses and apartments – many Bermudians are cash poor but property rich, and they rely on the equity in their homes for now and for their golden years;
- The presence of more employees will increase the demand for professional support services – this means more opportunities for Bermudians as underwriters, personal assistants, accountants and lawyers; and
- They in turn will demand more consumer goods and services – entrepreneurial Bermudians will be able to meet this demand by starting businesses and making investments, while others will have new job prospects in the restaurant, construction and healthcare industries.
I’ve said before that we must accept responsibility for looking out for those who have long made their homes in Bermuda and for those young persons who have been put in limbo. Pathways to Status is clearly the right and humanitarian thing to do.
However, in these chastened economic times, it’s also vital to our survival.
- Minister Michael Fahy
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If you keep raising taxes in order to pay the civil service more people are going to leave. This level of taxation and this level of cost of living are unsustainable and unprecedented in this country.
Quo Fata Ferunt
Less work permits under the OBA even after abolishing Term-Limits… hahaha… Failed Policy !
“More employees mean more payroll taxes and more residents mean more customs duties. This eases Government’s financial burden and maintains the level of services Bermudians rely on;”
Simply getting more people to come here doesn’t magically create jobs. You need more businesses to come here. Our laws are very conservative and restrictive. Bermuda seems to only allow Insurance/Reinsurance and investment companies here. That’s your problem. If businesses come here, they will advertise JOBS and that will solve your IMMIGRATION problem. Then you can tweak your immigration laws to make sure there are benefits to local Bermudians as well has Foreigners.
The goal would be to stimulate the economy and create an harmonious environment for both local Bermudians and foreigners. Once more people come here, we can use economies of scale to lower service costs plus you can then lower your taxes.
You may have to look at slightly tweaking the 60/40 rule and franchise laws.
Then tell your team to stop complaining about the Job Makers Act which incentives businesses to set up shop in Bermuda. The JMA is designed to exactly what you stated needed to be done in your above post.
Your team even says they will repeal this policy if they get back into power.
More foreigners working and paying payroll, the greater the financial assistance can be increased for Bermudian ..
No housing for Bermudian, no problem West Gate is available.
I appreciate reading this today and would welcome this information even more prior to the announcement of a major immigration policy shift.
In politics as in life being right is not enough. Please Minister Fahy, stay out of your head and stay in your heart. Speak to us as a father, brother, friend and tell us why you are considering these decisions before you make them. Involve us in how you make decisions.
Much of the blow back you are taking professionally and personally in our community is as a result of how you communicate – please consider how you could do this with our diverse community- not to, for or on our behalf – you have not earned that.
voltage…what a fantastic post. It’s not what you say but how you say it. There should have been small declarations and bit if information supporting our declining population prior to the release of Pathways. It is the right thing to do but it was a lot for people to absorb without and preamble
I agree. i also get a little confused by the OBA message on this. a) because the examples they used in their advertising were not representative of the 80% white European and B) Because he keeps coming up with redherrings like charitable donations.
This is the OBA’s problem as a whole. There is no question that they are reasonably intelligent and hard working. Unfortunately in politics that is never enough. The UBP had a few politicians with some street smarts. This is what is currently missing with the OBA. Too many Boy Scouts.
Makes me sick just to see his face
why?
I think you know why.
Perhaps you fthink “who cares?” that so many people dislike this Minister. However, from a PR standpoint, his image needs a serious overhaul.
I think he’s one of the best Minister’s this islands ever had. He’s fair, not afraid to make tough decisions and has done more to promote and protect Bermudian jobs than anyone else ever has.
And you base your opinion on…what? Examples please!!
why? That’s quite a level of hate.
Same level of hate of people wanting to run down the protesters yesterday? That’s hate and violence.
a,h,
This Tiny Island needs more like Minister Fahy to keep idiots like you in check! @had enough! Keep fighting the good fight Minister Fayh, brush off the haters! you have 100% support from hard working Bermudians,, the real “PEOPLE”!!!!
Sunfish, you speak wisely and true.
The population is shrinking because unemployed Bermudians can not afford to have babies, many are encourage to leave the island and find work elsewhere abroad.
Why should us be the ones moving out, we made Bermuda the way it is, it’ s a beautiful island because we maintain it this way, what a foreigner would know better.
Bermudian expats?????? Bermudians moving overseas to better their lives and the lives of their families. Bermudians staying overseas to improve their education, job skills and prospects. Bermudians doing the same as the expats coming to Bermuda. It’s very fortunate for those Bermudians that they are able to reside and work in those foreign lands. Yes Bermuda is a wonderful place but it’s a mere speck compared to the rest of the world that is full of lovely places to live. By all means let’s have those Bermudians back to live and work in our island home but let’s hope that they have good degrees from recognized universities in subjects that are in demand and relevant job experience that will allow them to take leadership positions.
The number of Bermudians has been shrinking for a lot longer than the time period when we have known unemployment. The female fertility rate has been below the replacement rate of about 2.14 for decades now, and is currently about 1.71.
Considering that men cannot give birth, each adult female must give birth to about 2.14 children on average to keep the population constant.
My only grip with this whole thing is the comparison. We constantly compare ourselves with BVI and the Caymans when we are no where close to being similar to either one. The two of those countries population is mostly comprised of (for lack of a better word) foreigners. The local population is not the majority.
We cannot keep doing things as those two have been because (and rightly so) their government and economy makes decisions and supports those of a foreign base. Makes sense considering that their local populace is the minority. Looking at Bermuda however, the locals are the majority and our government and economy should be to a degree more in favor of them, not the foreigners. Quite the opposite however, our country seems to be confused and wants what both the BVI and the Caymans have. To do that we would need to increase our foreigner base and decrease of local base in order to sustain things the way they do. Hmmmmmm, given the evidence, maybe we are moving that way………..
Its just an observation is was having. Please, no hate speech from those that disagree, rather open and educated dialogue would be preferred.
But we have to compare ourselves because from a business standpoint, when In ternational businesses are making a decision so to where to set up shop in Bermuda, BVI or Cayman they will be comparing how ‘foreigner friendly’ the place is. Our economy has to come from foreign investment (Yes that’s foreign people). Do you get that we don’t have any industries here which are dependant on locals alone. Look around you at the locals and you will find that most of them are either employed by these companies or businesses that service the. (With the massive great exception of the civil service).
I understand and agree with your point, from a business stand point that is. Thing is though, that model of the BVI and Caymans is that of a populace where the locals are the minority. For it to work here we would need to reduce our locals to where they are the minority(repeating myself here I know). There would be less complaining and resistance as the majority would be in favor of just about anything that the OBA bring to the table. Until then you will have push back because the majority of the locals will feel as if their government and/or country does not care about them. See my meaning here?
However I am afraid I have to disagree with you with regards to the majority of the locals working for these international companies. My truth (not necessarily yours) is that the majority of whom I know work for Bermudian owned businesses.
Does status mean the individuals pay more taxes? …
Is there really a risk of losing long term residence? … Are we assuming the people who have continued to live here for 15+ years are going to up and leave all of a sudden?
We need to bring people to the island, once they are here they rarely want to leave.
Tell that to the multi-thousands who have left.
People get tired of being insulted, treated as third class citizens, despite contributing time, effort and money to the infrastructure of Bermudian society.
Two weeks ago someone who I know left. They said it was time to move on, time to have some solidity in their life, to put down a foundation. As much as I tried to persuade them, they said the decision had been made and the job went with them.
More time and effort?
But they jumped off the boat 15 years ago…
“and the job went with them.”
I don’t know what field your friend works in, but it seems to me that this is one of Bermuda’s major problems – the fact that less and less Bermuda jobs are really “Bermuda” jobs. Maybe it’s simply due to technology, maybe it’s just businesses looking at the bottom line. It has become all too easy to siphon jobs away from the Island.
A while ago I was flying back from Canada and I overhead a woman saying to someone that she and her husband had been on work permits, but her husband’s permit had been cancelled, and she thought they would both have to relocate home to Canada. But luckily for her, her Bermuda company allowed her to work remotely from Canada, only coming back periodically. No Bermudian was needed to fill that job. That may not seem remarkable – except I’ve come to realize that there are a LOT of people doing the exact same thing.
I’m Bermudian, but I have Canadian status through my husband. I can live and work anywhere in Canada if I want to. But I don’t want to. Why? I think Canada is great, but the pay there is lousy, unless you luck into the right profession. Canadians know this – which is why so many of them come here to make their money, avoid the income tax and be able to buy houses there and live very well. Can we say the same about Bermudians who leave the Island and have to go elsewhere?
As certain people keep saying, I’m supposed to “broaden my horizons” and “gain experience” overseas and not be bothered by any of this. And I’m supposed to be HAPPY about the prospect of working in Canada (or the U.K or wherever) and earning half of what I do now while freezing my butt off?
Sorry, I’m not buying it anymore. And neither are a lot of folks.
APPLAUSE
Why can’t any of the opponents of this legislation answer the below question that has been asked many times?
The opponents claim that foreigners take away jobs from Bermudians and if they left then all these jobs would be filled by locals.
However, between 2008 and 2014 the level of work permits fell by 3,300+. Thus, going by certain individual’s logic, that would result in 3,300+ more jobs for locals.
Instead over the same time period 3,300+ Bermudian jobs were lost.
So I ask why doesn’t your main argument against this proposals stand up to the actual facts (i.e. not emotional diatribes)?
agreed
Yes, we plan to retire with the money earned but saved elsewhere and take our Bermudian born kids with us who could help the declining population. Wouldn’t you want our Bermudian born and schooled kids, friends of your own, rather than just bringing in new people later?
Bermuda’s population is shrinking in part because this country and it’s current government is blocking young educated Bermudians with degrees from getting jobs in their own country. they are forcing whole families to become economic refugees in another man’s country. this government is conducting a form of ethic cleansing aim against Bermudians and telling us to our face that we want to bring more people while thousands of Bermudians
@ Alvin
ethnic cleansing? Really? I know you guys cant have a position that isn’t centered around race but that’s a bit of a stretch.
Please show some statistics to support this notion that the young Bermudians leaving this island are black. Or are you happy just to throw around terms that incite your supporters regardless of truth.
Textbook PLP.
“its current government is blocking young educated Bermudians with degrees from getting jobs in their own country”
Alvin, can you explain this statement and provide some evidence? Just so you know, your comments usually sound really silly and childish for a person of your age.
And while I am at it, for a guy who blogs as much as you do, it would help if you had a better command of the English language. There are times when I have had to read your comments over and over before it is clear what you are actually trying to say.
Perhaps you might want to sign up for ENGLISH 101 at the college.
are unemployed and you are surprise that we have now reach a tipping point where social protest is getting louder and louder.
Alvin. In what industry do you think the unemployed Bermudians should be employed?
Brain surgery and nuclear science
reparations is also the “right” and “humanitarian” thing to do
Notice you conveniently missed out “human rights violations and discrimination towards LBGT community” as one of the reasons why Bermudians choose to live overseas Minister.
Fahy must go – leave bermuda.
You get on a high horse and attempt to promote this crap.
Go Away somewhere far with your crazy beliefs
Fahy states that work permits in hotels allow for locals in construction to always find employment in the hotel industry. It creates job turnover. – so F*****-up fahy states.
You would think that this assumption by fahy would apply to broader bermuda .
Actually why don’t you go instead. I bet with this mindset you’re not offering a lot to the island…I’ll even pay for your taxi
I’ve worked in Bermuda’s financial sector all my career and the one thing that these
“white collar” professionals want is the right to vote in bermuda.
A lot of these persons live in great neighbourhoods and great homes and a good standard of living in bermuda. (most above average than the average bermudian)
But they cannot vote in Bermuda
We must NEVER let these people VOTE in Bermuda.
What’s the difference between you and Donald Trump/Republicans/Tea Partiers?
Other than skin color of course.
@ had enough
I have also worked in the financial sector all of my career, perhaps a longer career than yours, perhaps not. IMO, most guest workers here, particularly in the financial sector, have no desire to stay here permanently. Most of them are here because this is the most attractive locale to conduct their profession (think Property CAT UW/Brokers). Bermuda has built itself as a premier location to do business for a multitude of reasons (mainly tax) which is why they end up here.
Most actually don’t like living here because of the way locals constantly remind them that they are second class citizens. Most ex-pats think its laughable that there are a small segment of locals that have no idea how bad we would all have it if they packed up and left.
Holding up traffic by a handful of idiots yesterday only further supported their position.
Hmmmm, I know of that industry as well, and the majority I know just do not care of what the locals thinks. At best times I find them laughing at both PLP and OBA parties inclusive of their blind followers criticizing their mediocre way of thinking, explaining things and overall way of doing business.
Removing myself from the equation I find myself at an elevated, macro sort of view where I am able to see the issues facing the island better. I must say that we on this island have taken to heart the fact that we are a small island in the middle of nowhere and as a result of that have developed a small and nowhere way of thinking and processing any and all issues that we face.
This is the age of the generation Z (I believe) and we are in a world where nothing is far anymore, no where is remote or inaccessible. We need to broaden our way of thinking and lift our heads high and move forward.
After 30 years in IB in Bermuda I would add that most people just want to be left alone to do their job and not expecting or wanting status..with the exception of people from anyplace other than the US due not having to pay taxes…
The OBA puppets love to yap on and on about the PLP driving away 5,000 people yet ignore the mass exodus of Bermudians. I guess those white votes are more important to them and their agenda than the black Bermudians who have left, who they assume vote PLP. This is what you all wanted anyway. The more WE leave the more you can have Bermuda to yourselves…but who would you exploit if we all left? Young Bermudians are fed up with being second-class citizens in their own home. Can you blame them for leaving for better opportunities?
Only in Bermuda is it considered a crime to put Bermudians FIRST! Go to the United States and tell Americans that they are xenophobic for wanting Americans to come FIRST! See how stupid that sounds. Self preservation is a natural instinct. A lot of you non-Bermudians are too scared to speak up in person so you sit online spewing hate. We are open to inviting others in but wait your turn. You don’t get to skip the line. We have more pressing issues at hand concerning born and raised Bermudians, you all can up and leave anytime you want, WE do not have that luxury.
Republicans and other anti-immigration people in the US are labelled xenophobic, racist and intolerant all the time.
Even by the highest office in the land.
See the graph above which shows people emigrating constantly up until 2009? Where was your compassion for Bermudians then?
I am not referring to the circus around Donald Trump and him labelling every non white person a terrorist. That is inflammatory hate. We Bermudians are not accusing foreigners of such. I am referring to the everyday American, they place themselves above everyone else. That’s just a fact, you know it, we all know it. No group of people are more patriotic than Americans.
Go find a hobby.
If only you had a clue.
I feel what can help solve the problem is a better education system. I am a Bermudian nursing student at the college however I find it a bit disappointing that once you are excepted into the program and you are at college level that your first classes don’t have you even involved in a introduction course to nursing because the class is not offered until summer time so instead you are taking classes in math, english, computers etc.. and what happens if you fail any of these classes if you have to take them over before you can even take the introduction nursing class which I feel is a bit unfair and these classes are not cheap for three classes at the college is almost $2000.00 which nowhere else in the world your paying that for just three classes not including books unless you are at a university and this is just college. Us young people you can even do a survey would love to go to school but simply cant afford it with many of us having to support our unworking family members. Yes you can apply for scholarships but you still have to worry of food and housing accommodation and traveling it’s not easy. Many of us really wish that Bermuda college would offer more courses here especially in the healthcare profession the only health program offered at the college is the nursing program which you cant even get certified here cause you have to wait 6 months to take the test not cause we want to but this is what we are up against as young Bermudians just saying.
To be accepted on a nursing course in the UK you need to have 6 GCSE’s (One of which math, English, Science). And at least 2 a’levels. That’s no doubt why you are studying these subjects. If we had a massive great population we could have a nursing school. But not with current or even future numbers. Get yourself accepted to a UK nursing school. (But you will need the qualifications I have listed.)
Agreed. Bermuda College is a money grab. I was forced to take a class I did not need. I was not getting credits for it and I had to pay for it. My test scores for this subject were through the roof yet I was placed in this class. A total scam. I didn’t know better at the time. A 7 year old could have passed the class that’s how easy it was. It was ridiculous. A waste of my time and money. They need to do better.
about this you DO have a clue.
Bermuda College regrets that you had less than a comfortable experience with us, but clarification is required on several of your points. The cost per class that you state is not accurate. The tuition cost for 18 credits (that’s generally 6 courses) is $$1,820. 3 classes cost $1,320 – not $2,000. The cost of a similar course of study overseas would be significantly more expensive, so you’re right, you wouldn’t find a quality programme being offered at the price Bermuda College offers anywhere else in the world! For example, the average annual cost for a Bermudian studying in Canada is over $17,000, three times the cost of a YEAR at BC. The average annual cost for a Bermudian studying in the US is closer to $35,000, nearly seven times the cost of a year at BC. Even in the UK, teh average cost for a Bermudian (inclusive of room and board, general living expenses, etc.)is going to be around $15,000 a year compared to $5,000 per year at BC. Money is tight, and every financial expense becomes more difficult to carry in the face of the ongoing economic conditions here. We offer a number of resources to help you cover the cost for your nursing programme – in-house scholarships, payment plans, financial aid and more. We hope to hear from you soon.
No jobs why you think its shrinking im thinking about leaving aswell.
People are against pathway to citizenship purely in an attempt to return power to the PLP. It’s that simple. They actually want the party that damn near ruined our country to regain power. Think about how low one’s IQ must be to think that’s a smart idea. Think about how stupid one must be to think holding up traffic is going to generate support for your cause. They want the party that spends like a drunken sailor to return to power. Why is anyone listening to the halfwits?
Are you a partyist?
LOL
I like to party~!
As if the OBA has done any better? Hate to break it to you but the PLP will be back in power regardless. The OBA lied. They do not care about Bermudians. They have not fulfilled any promises. They have shot themselves in the foot. The PLP don’t even have to try and they will be back in. These OBAers know it which is why they desperately want the foreign whites to be able to vote to help them keep power. Don’t get it twisted.
To Non cents
There was a bda before IB and all these expat have come from somewhere else.
As you state those who don’t want to make this their home can move on – why is this immigration issue being offered to them.
For those that want to make it their home (and there are thousands -even those that have been here for a year)
it should not be offered.
These folks make good money – way above average of the average bermudian. They live a good life here. I’ve been to their homes in Point Share etc.
If you have been in IB as long as you say you have – you will agree. Their standard of living here is very high – weekend trips abroad each month, nany etc.
If getting held up in traffic support the ex-pats belief – then so be it.
Ever consider what it is like to be an educated bermudian in Bermuda and can’t find work in IB.
Then, you see ex-pat professionals employed while you try to find work – unsuccessfully.
Now the gov’t want to give them a pathway.
Ever consider what it like to be a bermudian – probably not as you and the OBA are only considering what is like to be an Ex-pat.
@ had enough
You just don’t get it. If we lose IB those bermudian-owned homes in point shares won’t be worth s**t. Maybe we should tone down the rhetoric and take some time to thank them for being here, spending money in our economy and improving the standard of living for all of us. There was a Bermuda before IB but we never ranked anywhere near as high on a standard of living scale as we do now. We have so many bermudians in executive positions locally that are only able to be there because international business decides to stay here. The last thing we need to do is rock the boat as it will spell doom for us all.
TO NON CENTS.
LASTLY, most expats that I have worked with in IB – tell me under no uncertain terms :-that this government does not protect its people.
What they have seen here by the OBA would never happen in their home land – that is what many profession ex pats state.
Do you think Obama is protecting ‘his people’ by granting amnesty to 11 million illegal immigrants?
And no one believes you about your constant claims about what expats think or say.
You are just a nasty hateful person.
Read about the pathways to citizenship offered by our Caribbean cousins. What Bermuda has put forward is much more stringent then our cousins down south.
And the fact that you want IB to disappear despite the fact they provide 85% of our much needed foreign earnings (as we import everything) leads me to believe that you truly don’t care about Bermuda or her people. if you did you would never wish poverty upon them just to satisfy your xenophobic hatred.
YOUR POSTS HOLD NO WEIGHT!! PEOPLE TELL YOU?? PLEASE!
To sickofants in reply to you I done a nursing course in the UK passed their program so I’m well aware of you need and didn’t cost as much as here. Bermuda college is way to expensive for the average Bermudian working person and it shouldn’t cost almost $2000.00 for three classes. I have a degree in a related nursing field but wanted a career change. The point what I’m trying to make is that Bermuda should have more healthcare related fields offered at the college and not just business related fields which aint looking so good right now with many of the banks letting people go young and old including the insurance companies so what do you want young people to look towards do you have another solution to the problem at least I made a suggestion other than every Bermudian to run to the UK to get an education that would mean our education system aint worth nothing than. There is only one health program at the college which is the nursing that doesn’t offer any real experience in it and us young Bermudians are forced to still look elsewhere to become qualified in the healthcare profession or other professions. Not everyone can afford to just get up and leave their own country.
No opportunities for Bermudians = shrinking population no matter how you slice it……
My husband Bob and I love the island so much I wish we were allowed to retire there. We are currently in Hamilton as we speak for 13 days. I know we are immigrants but we love putting money into the economy. We arent the ones who take from the economy. We love helping the Bermudian people. I do hope one day the law changes and allows people like us who want to give instead of take allow us to come in…
The nursing student needs to get a decent education before applying for nursing school. She would never be accepted anywhere else in the world with her present level of education . Her English definitely needs to improve and I wonder what her grades are in Maths and Science. The level of education in the secondary schools in Bermuda is so poor. We need to give our children the best education so that they can hold down jobs so that expats are not necessary . A nursing student needs to attend a good university for 4 years but has to have a high level of education before being accepted into one.
I do hope our new hospital does not accept nurses with inferior qualifications .
For all those young Bermudians who want highly paid jobs in IB the same applies to you—- get a degree from a top University and then you can fill the posts any expats hold.
@had enough .Do you mean “these people’ that pay your Grannys pension,have paid your Uncles mortgage for 25-30+ years with their rent,have employed your brothers services,have employed your sister in their business,have eaten at your Aunties restaurant. Are those the people you are talking about?
Do you mean “these people”that have contributed and volunteered to the charities that help so many of your Bermudian friends.Do you mean “these people” that came to an island because they were invited to work and probably never could imagine the hatred and venom that they were to encounter 20-30+ years down the road.”These people” at that time built a life as most people do and contributed in more ways than one to the place they loved and which became their home. Knowing and feeling the utter hatred that is spilling into our community I wonder how many would have chosen to stay and subject themselves to this.I know I would’nt,hang your head in shame!
I believe the tourist industry needs to improve, problem is most people are going to other places due to transportation limitations. My husband and I spend around $4000 not including air and accommodations. Just in taxi fare we spend $200 a day while there taking taxis, buses arent fast enough and ferrys to St Georges is limited and scooters have gotten increasingly more dangerous. My husband and I are visiting now and we dont see alot of visitors which means no revenue except for locals. If I was someone in charge I would give more special deals for visitors so if you give a discount they will come. Most visitors are going to the Bahamas or other places due to easy access to places. My husband and I visit Bermuda every 6 months and in the last 1 and 2 months we have invested into the economy over $15,000.
Would you like to be able to rent a car? This is something the Govt. is looking at now and briefly mentioned in Parliament last night. It must put some potential visitors off coming here, not being able to rent a car. Bermuda is one of the few places that doesn’t allow car rentals. I think we need to offer visitors what they expect. Out tourism product needs to consider all reasonable requests to attract more tourists. If we want the numbers to increase, we need to be willing to adapt and change. Certainly an eye opener to hear how much you spend as couple in Bermuda as a visitor on a regular basis.
If we could rent a car it would be fantastic. By the way my husband lived in Bermuda at Kindley AFB in the 60s. I would love to be able to drive a car here, id rather spend money to help your small businesses instead of spending it all on transportation. We have been blessed to have a few friends now so we hang out with them, and do things with them. We love the Bermudians. I might be considered illegal due to me being an American, I love the island and I love the people. I roam and talk to everyone. Im here for 2 weeks and im so happy to be here
I love helping your economy
I wish we were one of these well off ex-pat families written about on here. We and a lot of our friends are unable to go out, we shop for the cheapest foods in the discount stores, we pay exorbitant rents, health insurance, utilities and live from pay check to pay check. We have no TV, no car, no fancy phones – I know many Bermudians with a better standard of living than us vulture-like foreign workers.
Don’t judge us all by your idealistic, stereotypical view of ex-pats – If we weren’t here to pay all we do, where would Bermuda be? If we weren’t here to bare the brunt of your hate, who then would you blame?
Bermudians should be looking closer to home and work as one to protect their young from gang culture…… just my honest opinion.
Dumbest comment yet on here why do you think people get into gangs.. I’ll go look up the stats (cause Mike likes me to do the research for him) and I’ll wager income is like the first answer given or at least in the top5. If Bermudians cant find work as you’ve noted we pay some of the highest coasts in the world what do you think will happen to put food on the table? Money will drop from above and we’ll all be able to go back to school and get those jobs needed to live. If its too expensive for you then why are you here you must be saving money for when you go home……..
LOL if your visiting maybe you should let Bermudians choose what happens in our home or you could let us make choices for your country. How bout it.
LOL – ‘Go home to your own country’ That’s SO funny, you sound like Donald Trump! It’s also the retort thrown at “johnny-foreigner” back in the bad old days of narrow minded bigotism in the UK that I hope better education is stamping out.
As someone who has spent years working with the reform services, I know that gang culture isn’t as easy as “I didn’t have any money, so I pulled a gun/knife and took it” Peer pressure, lack of belief in themselves, drugs and being in too deep to escape are the main reasons I have experienced.
Finally, I wouldn’t dream of telling the Bermudians how to run their country. I was adding to the discussion and expressing an opinion.