Column: “Tourism Jobs Continue To Fall”

March 17, 2017

Jamahl-Simmons[Opinion column written by Jamahl Simmons]

OBA politicians beating their chests and boasting over the latest tourism numbers while tourism jobs continue to fall, truly reinforce the reality that there are two Bermudas; one for the wealthy and privileged and one for the rest of us.

Under the OBA, tourism jobs have been lost every year, culminating in a further loss of 2.9% jobs last year. Worse yet, as reported in this year’s Economic Report, “Jobs occupied by non-Bermudians were the only status category to exhibit an increase in employment in 2016.”

How can this be right?

While the OBA are celebrating and boasting about their “success” the rest of us have to live with the results of their failure to create or protect jobs and opportunities for Bermudians.

While the OBA are celebrating and boasting about their “success,” the rest of us have to live in a Bermuda where jobs are only growing for non-Bermudians, where bills still have to be paid, our children still have to be fed and hope is being lost.

On top of jobs being lost under their reign, the OBA have emerged from record setting years; records that they aren’t so willing to boast about; 48 and 49 year lows in air arrivals.

The recent surge in arrivals, while positive must be put in the proper context.

Over the four-year period prior to 2012, Tourism under the PLP averaged 242,000 air arrivals per year.

Over a similar period the OBA have not been able to match PLP highs in either air arrivals or total arrivals which were 652,000 total and 264,000. Additionally, the pre-recession period 2005-2008 had a high of 305,000 air and 660,000 total. The OBA’s high of 245,000 air and 642,000 total falls short.

Yet this isn’t about whose numbers were bigger. It’s about a new approach that results in jobs for the people that matter the most to us: Bermudians. The OBA’s current approach simply isn’t working. In fact, the “safe hands” that the OBA claim to possess repeatedly waved “bye bye” to jobs and opportunities for our people.

We encourage you to examine our vision, an economic vision for a Bermuda that at its core is about jobs, opportunity, inclusion and building a Bermuda that works for Bermudians. Weigh it against the performance of the OBA and join us in making Bermuda work for you.

- Jamahl Simmons

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Comments (14)

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  1. Nanny Pat says:

    Yaaawn…blah, blah, blah….
    Does anyone read this man’s drivel?

    • mixitup says:

      Does anyone read this man’s Drivel?…..This after just reading it. I just can’t :/

  2. Rocky5 says:

    Sorry Jamal, after reading the Commission of Inquiry I got a VERY good idea of how a “PLP vision works!!!!

  3. Terry says:

    PLP propaganda.
    More ‘Fake News’ from the rightist’s

  4. James Rego says:

    Under the PLP, 6000+ jobs were lost thanks to Derrick Burgess / David Burch and their xenophobic policies. That exodus has slowed, improved a little but the rot hasn’t been excised completely.

    Mr. Simmons let’s hear you talk about the effects of the Commission of Inquiry on the PLP leading into the upcoming election and how you feel about senior members of your party being singled out.

  5. mark says:

    Lol. Nobody believes you bye. Ya party and you have lost all credibility. I just laugh when i read your columns. Trump is more believable than you. Lol.

  6. steve says:

    “Beating thier chest” tell me something Mr Simmons, how would you describe yourself?

  7. steve says:

    and do you ignore all negative comments and write them off as demented… enemies? Answer one question: you have been a member of the UBP and PLP for years…name the meaningful thing(s) you have accomplished. I dont know of even one, however i am listening and if you can point some out I will stand corrected and acknowledge as much.

  8. Build a Better Bermuda says:

    Interesting lack of reference to how many jobs were lost under the PLP, the trend that was established under the PLP. Does he expect people to believe that you can stop a runaway bus by stepping in front of it and it stopping when it hits you… PLP policies started that bus down the hill, the OBA policies put on the breaks and have been bringing it to a stop.

    He also misrepresents or maybe doesn’t understand the fact of a how many foriegn jobs lost equated to the jobs lost by Bermudians, thus how foriegn jobs do we need to bring back, to bring back those Bermudian jobs.

  9. Rasta says:

    Such uninformed ignorance!

  10. Aware says:

    I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that large numbers of Bermudians are not prepared to work in the hospitality industry? They either don’t like the hours, don’t like “serving” others or think it is beneath them. I am sure a substantive number of work permit jobs in this sector could be taken by willing and committed Bermudians with the right attitude and aptitude. Shame on you PLP for having taught your constituents that such work is beneath them for a generation.

    • SO Far SO good... says:

      You nailed it, AWARE. For example.. entry level restaurant servers working in this country can make an amazing salary. I’ve met a few that easily make $75k+ per annum. Does anyone think for a second that employers prefer to go thru the hassle and added costs of importing an expat?

  11. Terry says:

    The PLP are working overtime now.
    Look at the hundreds of dislikes.

    Must be the call to power for the next election and make it look bad.

    Enjoy.

  12. Gustav says:

    cant agree more.
    you are 100 % right !!!!