‘Ministry Of Economy And Labour’ Formed
Responsibility for areas including business and economic development have been transferred from the Premier to Minister Jason Hayward, with the Ministry to be called the ‘Ministry of Economy and Labour.’
A Government spokesperson said, “The Cabinet Office advised today, 22 February 2022, that upon the advice of the Premier, Her Excellency the Governor has transferred responsibility for Business Development, International Business, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation [BEDC], the Bermuda Business Development Agency [BDA] and the Economic Development Department from the Premier to The Hon. Jason Hayward, Minister of Labour.”
This adjustment follows after the Premier assumed the Finance portfolio following the resignation of former Finance Minister Curtis Dickinson.
Premier David Burt said: “I am confident Minister Hayward is capable of handling these added responsibilities and those sectors will in turn have a Minister focused on providing policy development and execution in support of economic growth for Bermuda while I devote time to the Ministry of Finance.
“The transferred responsibilities will enjoy synergies with workforce development and immigration that will further advance Bermuda’s Economic Recovery Plan creating jobs in this economy and getting Bermudians back to work.”
The Premier also noted that the Ministry would be known as the Ministry of Economy and Labour and would also include the Department of Statistics, saying that “data-driven policy is necessary to provide the targeted assistance that will equip Bermuda’s workforce for jobs that will be created.”
Minister Hayward said: “I thank the Premier for having confidence in me and I am humbled by this opportunity to serve. As we continue to live with Covid-19, economic development, growth and diversification are top priorities for the Government.
“The Ministry of Economy and Labour will lay the foundation for a human-centered sustainable economic recovery. I am looking forward to working with all agencies and stakeholders to deliver on the Government’s economic recovery plan.”
The change in responsibilities is effective today, 22nd February 2022, the Government said.
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“Responsibility for areas including business and economic development have been transferred from the Premier to Minister Jason Hayward, with the Ministry to be called the ‘Ministry of Economy and Labour.”
Seriously? We are making a union man responsible for our economy?
Does anyone remember how that worked for the socialists of eastern Europe?
It would be funny if it were not so tragic.
Agreed, beyond a joke. If this was the OBA they would be camping in Parliament.
Burt out! No to incompetent dictatorship.
Responsibility for International Business should not be included. IB does a great job looking after itself and Government needs to keep out of their way. Just look how Tourism has failed with political interference, and no visible gains in any other areas of the so called economic recovery plan. Concentrate of putting together a brand new Department of Statistics who know what they are doing because the present data is fundamentally flawed.
Bermuda is doomed.
I think this is a very astute move by the Premier. Min Hayward is smart, financially prudent and can likely perform well with these additional areas of remit. Splitting up some of the Finance is a good move and I think we will see the transition out of the Dickinson resignation will be virtually seamless.
“I think this is a very astute move by the Premier. Min Hayward is smart, financially prudent and can likely perform well with these additional areas of remit.”
Minister Hayward has no understanding of what economics is or how economic decisions affect Bermuda. That is one thing that successive PLP Governments have proved time and again over the last 15 or so years.
Not true at all but the truth has never gotten in the way of the prejudice of some.
Is the 3.6+bn of debt and financial mess we’re in now ‘truth’ or ‘prejudice’ ?
Much of it is investment in the country for infrastructure, social programs, and borrowing to pay salaries for civil servants etc. No its not 100% ideal, but its also not ideal for the above mentioned items to not be paid for.
If you have a better way/method please run for office!
We have crumbling infrastructure.
We have failing public education.
We can’t run buses, deliver the mail, collect the trash.
Immigration, TCD, and other public services are prehistoric in their attitudes, operation and output.
We have too many civil servants for a country of this size.
We borrowed to support vanity projects and had poor fiscal control over numerous other projects TCD, LBE building, Heritage Wharf, Port Royal, Berkeley ..need I go on.
Meanwhile, we have killed tourism with our xenophobic approach, we have chased away taxpayers, business visitors with our approach to IB and we are a laughing stock.
Income doesn’t support the expenditure and we keep voting for the same bunch of idiots. Jewel of the Atlantic to third world state in 20 years.
Oh no ! That’s a whole lot of prejudice . lol
It must be remembered the money borrowed in international markets must be repaid or refinanced. Lenders at this point don’t care what it was used for they want their principal and interest. If they don’t get it, this is not a good look for Bermuda!
Oh, and did I mention the pension black hole?
I’m sure he can continue the stellar performance of the PLP and make it 19 years of consecutive government debt.
Then why is our infrastructure so run down? You really are a little sheep aren’t you?
Not prejudice. Just sad reality, that Hayward doesn’t have what it takes.
Bermuda’s Economic Recovery Plan? Still don’t know what that is, and of course, it’s a recovery from 20 years of PLP fiscal imprudence.
“Not true at all but the truth has never gotten in the way of the prejudice of some.”
What prejudice have I or my comment exhibited?
Exactly! Obviously doesn’t know the Minister’s qualifications or experience. SMDH
What “experience” exactly? According to his published CV, his entire working experience has been as a union official, a civil servant, and then as a politician. Oh, and as an “executive of North Village Community Club”.
Does that constitute an impressive resume, in your view?
Many think JH is not the man for the job bc of his union past life. I disagree. He’s taken a solid approach heading up immigration and doesn’t show the love for his union like you would expect. He’s an intelligent person who “gets it” as far as listening to IB and hearing what they need. He won’t get in their way. Does he have ideas to stimulate the economy? Doubtful, but with an open mind he’ll be able to allow/provide what it needs to happen.
If there was any doubt recently if Bermuda was sinking faster than the Titanic, this should remove all doubt…
Putting any union person in charge of anything to do with the economy or finance, is the perfect recipe for disaster…
I certainly have never met Hayward, but my first impressions are not particularly positive. He can’t speak publicly without reading off a piece of paper, he has zero sense of humour and he shows no endearment towards human beings. Characteristics I’m sure will help some of our competitors poised to snatch business.
Clearly you don’t know Jason Hayward.
Wait…..so all this time Burt was responsible for all of those entities that he just handed off to Hayward and all this time he has nothing to show for it?
“he has nothing to show for it?”
Sure he does successful career, an excellent pay check, amazing networking opportunities, Premier’s pension that he will get regardless of the pension fund deficit, etc….
LOL what might clear all this up is does anyone know if the Premier has anything to do with Davos and the ruling CLASS that is currently manipulating the world into a great reset. This is class warfare and they will look for politicians to do their work for the promise of being insulated from it. Think not look to the north and Canada and see what the “police are doing unlawfully” to peaceful people just asking for the Government to remove it’s boot. Think this can’t happen here. You are guilty until you provide “acceptable evidence” to your accuser which is the Government.
This is why we are sunk! What did this Minister do before he was a Minister? I seem to recall that he worked for the Bermuda Government. Was he a high tanking civil servant? no. He left and worked full time for the BPSU. So we put him in charge of Immigration that was a stretch and now with virtually no business experience he is in charge of our economy, international business, small business development……….,Where are the likes of the Honorable ex-Premier John Swan’s of the world? Those who were successful abs then gave back to Bermuda by using their experience to assist in moving Bermuda forward. This
guy is making a career out of politics not making a career and then giving back to his country through politics.
This is a sad day for Bermuda and our economic survival!!!