The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Director of  Labour yesterday defended the Department of Statistics’ recent Labour Force Survey as a “true reflection”of the economy’s employment conditions at the time it was conducted.

Opposition politicians have queued up to argue that the 1.1 percentage point decline in the jobless rate to 11.6 per cent was a temporary, “false indicator” of the Bahamian workforce’s position.

But Robert Farquharson told Tribune Business: “We have to understand what the survey is. The survey is a snapshot of what the employment situation is at a particular date and time.

“When the Department did the survey right after the hurricane, it showed a significant increase in employment, particularly in the construction industry. That increase continues today.

“You still have a significant amount of persons who continue to be employed in the sector, who were employed primarily as a result of the damages caused by the hurricane. Based on reports, that probably will be another six to 12 months. In my opinion, it is a true reflection of the economy and the labour issue in the economy.”

According to the Department of Statistics, the unemployment rate declined from 12.7 per cent in May due to a 4,025 increase in employed persons and a 2,155 decrease in unemployed persons.

The survey, which was conducted between October 26-30, captured 3,500 homes across the Bahamas, inclusive the islands of Bimini and Exuma, which were not in the last survey.

These islands, according to the Department of Statistics, have an unemployment rate of 4 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively.

The data also showed that 1,385 persons were employed in the construction sector as a direct result of Hurricane Matthew. The Department of Statistics noted that prior to the hurricane, only 14 per cent of households need repairs, but that jumped to 51 per cent after the storm.

Mr Farquharson told Tribune Business: “The next survey is anticipated to be in the month of April. Certainly. during that time you may see data reflecting the persons laid off at the casino in Grand Bahama, the Ocean Club, Renew Bahamas.

“Come January, it is also anticipated that Baha Mar will employ some 1,500 persons. The snap shot in April will reflect all those things.”