The Tribune

FRED Mitchell, Minister of Immigration, announced this week that officials plan to clamp down on the number of work permits issued annually.

And within about a year, he said, the government will stop issuing work permits for maids, housekeepers and labourers.

Former immigration minister Branville McCartney hit back afterwards, saying Mr Mitchell’s plan threatened to destroy the country’s hopes of an economic recovery.

He said the plan to eliminate work permits for certain job categories within a year was completely unworkable.

Telling of his own struggles to employ a local live-in housekeeper after four candidates failed to show up for interviews, Mr McCartney said Bahamians simply refuse to do certain categories of work.

On The Tribune’s website, www.tribune242.com, you had your say:

WHEN an investor comes in to invest, government ought to have a standard list for investors to protect Bahamian jobs, including an agency to police illegal workers – not just for Haitians, Jamaicans, etc. But for all others that come into the country and work illegally! Many illegal workers are working in Abaco, New Providence, Exuma and especially in Exuma Cays and elsewhere in the country. The immigration department is not policing those activities properly! Save Bahamian jobs stupid!

VDSheep

I WOULD agree [with Bran] that we as a country should be more inclusive with our immigration policy. But inclusiveness doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be selective. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for diversity. But these companies must show some latitude and flexibility and appoint Bahamians at their other international branches. This “skills” thing must be a two-way street. Many Bahamians feel as though it’s a one way thing and we simply don’t get a chance at opportunities offered in the multi-nationals with branches in the Bahamas. The whole thing boils down to a proper immigration policy. Both governments have failed to shape a proper immigration plan for this country. Nothing on paper. Just a bunch of patch work policy with political interference.

Stapedius

FAR too many Bahamians hate on others’ success.

Collin

THE xenophobic comments that appear whenever the work permit issue is raised seem to ignore the need for ex-pats to train nationals in every country around the world. Nearly all the major countries in the world have accepted immigration to improve their knowledge. Good luck to the Bahamas in charge of Bahamians alone.

Puzzled

I THINK this is a very dangerous enterprise that the government is partaking in. This is why we have so many Bahamians in positions that they are unqualified for and the business and level of service is diminished. An attitude is fostered that I don’t need to get the right qualifications, that I just need to flash my passport.

If a Bahamian wants the job then go get qualified to do the job, i.e. go to get the proper training in a school/internship. This is a global practice nationwide. How do you suppose a Bahamian living abroad gets a job over a native citizen? They only get the job because they have skills that a native citizen does not possess, because they have to pay for them to get a work permit too.

It is not up to a private business to hire someone to train them to do the job. That is a waste of time and money. If I hire a person to do a job, I hire them to do the job, not for me and them to do it.

GO GET QUALIFIED BAHAMIANS! Stop expecting to get a job just because you are a Bahamian.

Ironvelvet

BE very careful Fred.

Those dry-docks floated in and can float back out. In fact there is a plan on file to put everything in the buildings in trailers and on the docks and tow them down to the Dominican Republic where labour is cheaper, more skilled and loyal. And the Dominican Republic would welcome with open arms.

Also, the cost of electricity is less then half down there and they have a big container port and maritime sector.

Be very careful.

Jackflash