The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

AMID private sector criticism over the government’s intention to cut back on work permits, AML Foods chairman Dionisio D’Aguilar pointed out Solomon’s Fresh Market in Harbour Bay has created 92 jobs for Bahamians and only 0.2 per cent of its staff are on work permits.

He was speaking yesterday at the grand opening of the new food store, and addressing State Minister for Investments Khaalis Rolle, who was on hand, in particular.

Mr D’Aguilar said: “In these times of recession and cutbacks, I am delighted to report – and in his capacity as the minister responsible for investments by Bahamians in the Bahamas, Minister Rolle is, I am sure, delighted to hear that – behind me represents an investment of approximately $7m renovating, outfitting, and stocking this store.

“I am also delighted to report that this store has created 92 permanent and part time jobs for Bahamians and will generate an annual payroll of $1.3m for Bahamians.”

This brings total employment under AML Foods to 860, Mr D’Aguilar said, and the total dollar value of salaries and benefits paid to Bahamians will surpass $15 million, this year.

“In the past 18 months, when many companies cut back or closed down, AML Foods created over 250 jobs for Bahamians in Nassau and Freeport,” he continued.

“AML has only three work permits so Minister Rolle, please report back to your Cabinet colleagues that AML is a great Bahamian success story employing many, many Bahamians, while only 0.2 per cent of our workforce requires a work permit. You can’t get any better than that.”

Earlier this week, Mr D’Aguilar told Tribune Business the government’s proposals are “creating the perception they are anti-foreign”.

He said of Labour Minister Shane Gibson and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell: “They are basically sending a message to staff in both their departments that they can treat the business community like dirt, because their ministerial superior has this hard-line policy.”

Mr Mitchell had announced in the House of Assembly that in about a year, the government will stop issuing work permits for maids, housekeepers and labourers.

He added the government is considering the re-imposition of a maximum limit of three three-year work permits to applicants and that “in various conditions” an understudy must be identified and hired before a work permit is granted.

He also said, his suggestion is that permit fees will “increase substantially.”

Also in the House, Mr Gibson had said the government will only be issuing labour certificates in the “extreme” of circumstances to foreign workers. It is imperative that Bahamians register their skills with the Department of Labour in order to get first preference on jobs they are qualified for, he said.

• See page 10 for more on the store’s grand opening.