The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE Opposition deputy leader and finance spokesman said yesterday that he stood by his comments on the recently released Labour Force Survey, accusing Labour Minister Shane Gibson of attempting to deflect from the substantive discussion on its results.

In a statement, Mr Turnquest said that Mr Gibson’s assertion that he had criticised the work of the Department of Statistics which produced the survey was “unsubstantiated, outrageous and inaccurate”.

Mr Gibson accused Mr Turnquest of challenging the integrity of the Department of Statistics, calling his comments “despicable”.

Mr Turnquest fired back yesterday, however, saying: “On the contrary, it is he and his government that has a verifiable record of calling into question the quality and accuracy of this Department’s work whenever the results are unfavourable to their narrow interest.”

Citing several news articles in support, Mr Turnquest said that Mr Gibson and the Christie administration could not be trusted to present an objective evaluation of the present employment statistics. “When the results are in their favour they support the workers but when they are not, they seek to create doubt in the minds of the public over the professionalism, completeness and accuracy of the Department of Statistics.

“It is clear that this government and the Minister continues to have little respect for the intelligence of Bahamians and forgets the advantages of multiple online, print and electronic media archives, a development facilitated by the FNM. As for the comments I made on the Labour Force Survey, I stand by my statements and reassure the Department of Statistics and the civil service of my continued support and respect for the work that they do. I encourage the Minister and his government to do the same and to get about the process of facilitating real and sustained jobs for the Bahamian people as promised instead of engaging in puffery,” said Mr Turnquest.

“Our public deserves more than just catchy phrases but an elevated discussion on matters of national concern and a Free National Movement government will again facilitate the dialogue.”

Mr Turnquest told The Tribune earlier this week that the results were in “no way realistically reflective of what is going on with the country’s economy”. That survey showed that the country’s national unemployment rate fell by 3.7 per cent, from 15.7 per cent last November to 12 per cent in May. The report provides information on the labour force as it existed during the reference period of April 27 to May 3, 2015. The report took into account preparatory hiring in connection with the inaugural Junkanoo Carnival, temporary employment for homecoming festivals and hiring by the now stalled Baha Mar resort, which was anticipating an opening in early spring of this year.

Mr Turnquest said the report “selectively highlighted” a timeframe in which the economy of the country benefitted from temporary employment opportunities.