OBA: ‘Businesses Send Clear Message To Govt’
“Bermudian businesses have sent a clear message to Government that it needs to lower the cost of doing business and urgently introduce immigration reform,” according to Shadow Finance Minister Senator Nick Kempe.
Senator Kempe said, “Almost 200 business leaders responded to the survey which included responses from small Bermudian firms to large international businesses.
“Noticeably the issue of tax did not figure at all in the 2014 and 2015 survey, in 2016 17 percent agreed it was the top issue facing Bermuda business, in 2018 it was 33 percent and now 43 percent see it as the biggest issue.
“This is not surprising given that we have seen increased taxes to support an ever-growing Government structure. Government must reduce its own costs to stop the tax burden rising further.
“The survey also clearly spoke to the need for Government to reform immigration, to work and collaborate more with the business community and to reduce taxes and the cost of doing business.
“Both the Finance Minister and the Minister for immigration attended the presentation of this survey and I hope they both listened intently to what Bermudian businesses, who employ countless Bermudians, are saying.
“The OBA was vilified when it spoke to immigration reform and Pathways to Status. This was and remains an urgent issue.
“The report also noted that “anxiety about the economy is now heightened among business leaders, and a trickle-down effect of the private sector’s economic concerns is evident among residents” with consumer confidence at its lowest for five years.
“This is reflected in the 13 consecutive months of decline in the volume of retail sales.
“The OBA emphasised reducing the cost of Government as well as controlling healthcare provider costs, however the PLP immediately reversed direction when elected and people are now having to pay dearly to support that lack of discipline by way of increased taxation.
“It was very revealing that businesses perceived that “steps could be taken towards increased engagement with the Government, better promotion of Bermuda as a business destination, increased support of small/local businesses, and increased employment opportunities for Bermudians”.
“Clearly, despite the vastly increased communications budget, Government is doing a lot of talking but not a lot of listening.
“This Government continually talks about transformational change, but in reality, all Bermudians are getting is a worsening of the status quo.”
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Both parties are full of BS! Between the arrogance of the OBA taking our money and spending on the rich to PLP taking out money and spending it on the poor or themselves they are both exhibit poor leadership. We should as citizens impose a ban on government politician salaries and only pay them if they achieve the goals they promise and balance budgets set.
Not to worry, Blockchain Caines is unveiling Walton’s ‘Comprehensive Immigration Reform’ next week. Now that Blockchain Caines has realized the blockchain isn’t going to stimulate the economy he’s going to try his hand at something else.
Pee El Pee!! Pee El Pee!! Bermuda for Bermudians!! 25-11!! Landslide!! Hahahaha!!!
Thank you because the voters /people will never support the obaUBP again thanks to arrogant supporters like you. Keep it up for your obaUBPppppe lolol. All the troll money that pay you to bash is actually helping the plp to beat you again.
De banks run dis island anyway because ya Pee El Pee put us so much into debt. De gov’t of de day is jus window dressing!! Hahahaha!! Nobody cares, ding dong!!
“The OBA emphasised reducing the cost of Government as well as controlling healthcare provider costs, however the PLP immediately reversed direction when elected and people are now having to pay dearly to support that lack of discipline by way of increased taxation.”
But that is exactly the point, Senator Kempe. The majority of Bermudians do not want the fiscal responsibility offered by the OBA. The majority of Bermudians want “feel good” politics. That is why the PLP holds a 25/11 majority in the House of Assembly. The majority of Bermudians do not care about our economic future as long as they get what they want right now. Premier Brown understood that and he played to it.
Sadly you are 100% correct. The majority don’t even realize it is they who are paying themselves to make themselves feel good. They have been led to believe it is the other side.
I totally agree. We need to digitize the Civil Service, and not replace retiring people, to reduce numbers. I agree with Mr. Kempe.
&^%$ this current government. It’s so hard to get by with this expensive island. Come back OBA!
This island is going to the dogs….and apparently the rats too!
And more than our fair share of feral cats.
It’s not just the lack of badly needed immigration reform, we also have to deal with a rogue immigration department. The go-slow mantaility and the inconsistent nature of the application of existing rules/legislation make it increasingly difficult to do business here.
End result? Low business confidence, declining retail, increased taxation to make up hte shortfal so higher inflation….do these idtios understand anything at all?
The Dept. of Immigration are actually reducing opprtunnities for Bermudians due to an atittude that is clearly encouraged from the Government.
Caine’s comments yesterday just amplify how stupid the PLP are in not addressing this issue.
That “go slow mentality” is rampant everywhere, there seems to be such an attitude of discontent and dislike and I do not have any other explanation other than the plp campaign of division and it truly makes me sad. Wake up everybody.
It’s all part of the PLP method of reparations. Mass hiring of public sector, no accountability or chance of getting fired and very good benefits. Why bother to work when you can call in sick as often as you like or take vacation and there are plenty of spare people to do your work while you’re away, or not as it takes too much effort so nothing gets done.
The so called Immigration Reform will be political in nature, won’t solve the problems and will achieve nothing.
Have to agree. It’s not looking good.
Bermuda is likely to collapse soon.
High taxes / cost of doing business has many business operations on life support.
People are leaving the island.
College graduates are looking elsewhere for employment.
Health insurance and services are inadequate.
Morgan’s Point is ready to claim their 100+ million dollar guarantee.
I’m doubtful OBA or PLP will be able to fix these issues if BERMUDA doesn’t stand up in protest.
The rest of the world is up in arms yet 90% of us sit behind a screen and complain. Zzzz
Oft used OJ Quote. “Shut De Island Down!!!!! LMFAO”
OJ have you laughed it off yet?
I have a plan, let’s all ( work ) for our government. Close down the private sector. As crazy as it sounds this will be the outcome if these leaders of ours continue with their Mickey Mouse mentality. Flip side we all get to sit on committees and pay ourselves 5k a month on top of our salaries just to find ways of saving money.