Employment, Job Loss & Work Permit Statistics
2020 “saw a plunge of 1,951 jobs lost, primarily due to the global pandemic” and the “total number of work permits issued decreased 32% in 2020 coinciding with the pandemic,” a recently released report noted.
2020 was the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, and saw widespread closures and restrictions, including the airport being closed to incoming passengers flights for a while.
This is according to the recently released Bermuda Digest of Statistics, which said, “Occupied jobs declined continuously from 2011 to 2015 resulting in a total loss of 4,080 jobs. From 2015, the total number of occupied jobs has risen annually up until 2019. This past year saw a plunge of 1,951 jobs lost, primarily due to the global pandemic.
“For the first time, Professionals was the leading occupational group with a 20% share of the total. This was followed closely by the Senior Officials and Managers and Service Workers, Shop and Market Sales Workers categories which both stood at 19%.
“The bulk of jobs lost during the past year, 1,183 [61%], was in the Service Workers, Shop and Market Sales Workers category. Historically, Service Workers, Shop and Market Sales Workers had been the leading occupational group. Jobs were lost in every age group except for persons aged 60-64 which remained constant.”
“Standard Work Permits allow local organisations to employ foreign nationals if Bermudians, spouses of Bermudians or Permanent Resident Certificate holders are unqualified, unsuitable or unavailable.
“The total number of work permits issued to non-Bermudians who are not married to Bermudians has generally trended downwards since 2011 and decreased 32% in 2020 coinciding with the pandemic.
“The majority of work permits were held in the private sector at 92% while the public sector represented 8%. Of the duration lengths of work permits issued, up to one year remains the most prevalent since 2015; this year it incorporates 53%.
“This holds true for the private sector, as 55% hold permits up to a year. For the public sector, work permits with a length of two to five years continue to be the most prevalent, making up 62%.”
The work permit numbers are frightening.
PLP, killing Bermuda year by year. I wonder when they’ll be satisfied. Do we really need to be destitute before they say “enough”?