Shane Gibson
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
LABOUR and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson said he is not surprised by the rise in unemployment figures but expressed hope that a number of tourism related projects slated to emerge this year will spur employment growth.
Figures released by the Department of Statistics last week showed that unemployment grew by 1.4 per cent, from 14.3 per cent in May 2014 to 15.7 per cent in November 2014.
Reacting to the news over the weekend, opposition leader Dr Hubert Minnis said the rise in the unemployment rate shows the government has not kept its promise on job creation.
However, yesterday Mr Gibson said: “The Ministry of Labour takes note of, but is not surprised by, the latest preliminary unemployment report released by the Department of Statistics indicating that the unemployment rate nationally is 15.7 per cent.”
The government of the Bahamas has been hard at work on behalf of the Bahamian people in securing a brighter future. We have said repeatedly that we were engaged in the necessary preparatory work or heavy lifting and putting all of the necessary pieces in place to ensure a full economic recovery.
“The government is confident that the economy of the Bahamas is turning the corner and 2015 will be a banner year economically. The opening of multi-billion dollar Baha Mar resort is projected to create some 5,000 direct jobs. The opening of Mahogany, a refurbished Holiday Inn and Quality Inn, the refurbishment of the Hilton, the construction of a new hotel, marine village and boardwalk on Bay Street and other project announcements foreshadowed by the prime minister will no doubt add to the country’s economic stimulus, creating many more jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for Bahamians.”
Mr Gibson also said that during a recent trip to China, Prime Minister Perry Christie sowed seeds that will reap financial benefits for the country going forward.
“During his major trade mission to China, the prime minister met with both the government leadership and leaders in the business community both in Beijing and Shangai,” he said. “The Bahamas has inked a reciprocal air services agreement between the civil aviation authorities of both countries to facilitate increased airlift to bolster our tourism industry. Additionally, both the tourism and the financial services sectors are expected to strengthen further with the Bahamas becoming a hub for the trading of the Chinese (currency), rmb Yuan.
“The prime minister is on record during his New Year’s interview that his government will make a ‘substantially strong impact on unemployment’ in 2015, pointing out that his government has approved several projects that will result in increased employment and investment opportunities for Bahamians.”
Mr Gibson said more job opportunities will shortly become available and that Bahamians will be well positioned to take advantage of such opportunities.
“Bahamians are encouraged to do their part and to avail themselves of all job training opportunities through the National Training Agency and other private agencies as we build on the more than 8,800 jobs created over the last 30 months,” he said.
The Department of Statistics’ Labour Force Survey covers the period from October 27, 2014 to November 2, 2014. The previous survey was done in May 2014.
The survey said that the unemployment rate in New Providence jumped from 15 per cent to 16 per cent while in Grand Bahama it rose from 14.7 per cent to 18.6 per cent.
According to the data, Abaco’s unemployment rate is 20.3 per cent.
The survey results further show that youth, ages 15 to 24, continue to face a considerably higher rate of unemployment than any other group. That group’s unemployment rate was 31 per cent, an increase of three per cent from the previous survey, when it was 28 per cent.
Comments
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 11 months ago
Now if the PLP actually did provide those 10,000 jobs on May 8th, 2012 where would the unemployment numbers be today?
This party has to go. We cannot wait until 2017! They must go now. A herd of goats could run this country better!!
duppyVAT 9 years, 11 months ago
But Brave doubts that the numbers are true....................... ah well
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 11 months ago
Someone asked me if these people talk in the Cabinet meetings or whether they're distracted working to screw the Bahamian people the whole time. Brave Davis doubts the numbers calling everyone at Dept of Stats incompetent, Michael Halkitis blames new entrants to job market (go figure I would assume any job creation plan accounted for new entrants...but anyway) and Shane Gibson is not surprised
John 9 years, 11 months ago
That building on jfk ain't worth $20 million even if it was built with $100 bills
asiseeit 9 years, 11 months ago
Was it not Mr. Gibson who last year said that the PLP had created jobs due to the uptick in NI payments?
duppyVAT 9 years, 11 months ago
And .... do you believe a word he says????????????
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 11 months ago
30,000 new jobs to be specific, and PGC appointed this guy Minister of Labour...
duppyVAT 9 years, 11 months ago
Another loud mouthed, do nothing crooked ex-union leader.... the government is full of them now
JB357 9 years, 11 months ago
Don't know what Brave is doubting! Ex labour man Shane knows what's up. Even if it's embarrassing to the PLP.
Economist 9 years, 11 months ago
According to the Department of Statistics there were, in 2012, 91,660 persons between the ages of 5 and 19. It has been said that there are over 70,000 in school. Those 70,000 will all be looking for jobs over the next 15 years as they come out of school (4666 per year). It is estimated that that 1,800 to 2,000 leave the work force each year. That means that we have to create some 2500 new jobs each year just to keep up with the current unemployment levels. That is 12,500 or 2 Baha Mar's every 5 years. Thus in 2012 the government was faced with 27,000 or 28,000 out of work. They pledged to create 10,000 jobs but it was clear that on top of the 10,000 they needed to create an additional 12,500 for a total of 22,500 new jobs. That's a new Atlantis and a Baha Mar and more. Has that happened? No surprise is right!
TheMadHatter 9 years, 11 months ago
Yes, but your argument is like saying because of all of the tacks on my driveway every week, I am having to buy more and more tires. Can someone help me to get money to buy tires please? We need more tires !!! More tires !!!!!
How about instead, start to look at where the tacks are coming from and why they are coming?
Why are there 91,660 persons between the ages of 5 and 19? Would it be better if we only had like 60,000? That's 31,600 fewer tacks.
TheMadHatter
TheMadHatter 9 years, 11 months ago
Obviously, Mr. Gibson did not read the complaint in detail. THERE IS ALREADY EMPLOYMENT GROWTH. The report states that the number of people employed has increased. However, the percentage of persons of eligible age and health to be employed - but are not employed - has increased.
So the number of people having jobs has increased !!!!! The Govt is doing its job - BUT the people are popping out babies so fast that there are people being created faster than the Govt can create new jobs for them.
This problem falls on the churches - not the Govt. When you see the pastors talking about birth control and family planning in a Sunday morning sermon, then come back and blame the Govt.
TheMadHatter
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 11 months ago
I get where you're going but I don't buy it. It "sounds" logical. but, population trends should be a well known factor, therefore IF the government had an employment plan it would account for the actual number of persons seeking jobs and not the fantasy number they would like in a perfect world. They can't claim to have done their job and ask us to just exclude population growth in our assessment. That said there is a need for family planning +50% unmarried mothers is way too high.
Economist 9 years, 11 months ago
You are absolutely correct. Glad that you have raised the point. The discussion goes something like this. "If you, the church, don't like family planning , then you should pay for all the prenatal care." "Sure" they say. "And You, the church should pay for the delivery and hospital costs." Again they agree. But ask them to pay the cost of the extra school rooms. Well, they decide you are asking them to do to much. Suggest that if the young woman had not had the child that she would not be using Social Services, and would have a better job because she would have finished school, and therefore would not need low cost housing which the Government (we the people) has to pay for so they the church should build the house. And remind them that they need to build the roads to the house and lay the pipes for the water erect power poles, and lines, for the electricity. And the church will say that you are being unreasonable. But government (any of them so far) is also responsible for not telling the people that they can't reduce unemployment in a meaningful way if they continue to run the country as they do.
TheMadHatter 9 years, 11 months ago
Any MP that speaks against the Church, esp. during election time - will NOT be elected. They know that, and the people know that.
The people, who give money to the churches (which is the majority of Bahamians) are responsible for their growth and influence.
Since it is the majority who do that - I say it is democracy in action. The people are getting what they ask for - and nobody can ask for more than that. If I got what I asked for, I'd never complain.
Economist 9 years, 11 months ago
ThisisOurs is correct. We need a new approach to our economy. Stafford Sands is died a long time ago. He had a great vision for about 20 years out; but that vision is old tired and worn out.
We talk about Singapore but are not prepared to do what they did. We are xenophobic so would never allow in foreigners from whom we could learn and milk for ideas; use their connections to bring investment.
We would never let our Permanent Residents to start businesses. Remember, they did so well in their own country that they can afford to live here without working. If they have done well why don't we get them to improve our economy by saying that they could start a business but must employ at least two Bahamians. They are of an age where they would probably mentor their staff. They have already proved themselves so they won't be trying to keep anyone down.
We need to think out of the box. That is not the solution, but it may be a start to expand our economy.
themessenger 9 years, 11 months ago
Economist, what you say is true and we should be thinking outside the box. Unfortunately in the forty odd years since Majority rule we still haven't gotten over our no more white massa in control phobia, not to mention our own home grown black crab syndrome, for Bahamians as a whole to embrace such forward thinking. We continue to live in hope.
ccthemusicman 9 years, 11 months ago
I've finished BTVI in December 2014 with a degree in IT Management. Even though i've been looking for work during my last semester but couldn't find any. Now its the new year and I am unable to start a career in IT when living in my own country. How are we youths suppose to gain experience in the workforce is they are not giving us a chance to? Explain that? No wonder when we go to college abroad the majority of us do not return to the Bahamas because the Bahamas has nothing to offer them so what are we coming back to and what for?
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