By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
MORE than a dozen employees of the Gaming Board, including some who hoped to become permanent staff, have been let go, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold confirmed yesterday.
Though Mr Newbold didn’t give details of the matter, a source familiar with it said 18 people were let go last week.
These included people whose contracts had expired as well as some who had been on probation, according to Mr Newbold. The Minnis administration has taken a conservative approach to public sector hiring and has not shied from letting workers go since the May 10 general election.
Since that time, more than 100 people have been let go for various reasons, according to The Tribune’s reports.
In August, at least 27 employees of the Ministry of Tourism were let go. Fifteen people were let go that month from the Bahamas Agriculture and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) as well. The contracts of 21 workers at the National Insurance Board (NIB) were terminated in June after their agreements expired and in recent months the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has let go at least 42 people in its bid to make its budget work.
The backdrop to the firings is the Minnis administration’s belief that the previous administration hired thousands of people over the last five years and especially in its last six months to boost its election chances.
Brensil Rolle, minister of the public service and National Insurance, has said between December 2016 and May 2017, the government’s payroll ballooned by $16.5 million due to the Christie administration’s hiring of new public service workers during that period.
More than 1,700 people were included in this count. According to Mr Rolle, the public service increased by 6,500 people over the last five years, during the last Christie administration.
Nonetheless, the employees have been let go at a time when the economy remains weak and employment prospects bleak. The unemployment rate, according to the latest Labour Force survey, is 9.9 per cent, however this is a decline from 11.6 per cent.
The problem was symbolised by last week’s Island Luck job fair when about 1,000 people went to the Kendal G Isaacs Gym hoping to fill 150 available jobs.
Comments
birdiestrachan 7 years ago
ACE send them all home it is the peoples time. In the main time yo do have a job to spin and spin.
Dawes 7 years ago
What should the Government do per you? Keep them employed although they do not need them? This will only continue to add to our public debt, and will no doubt ensure that there will be a tax rise soon. I feel they are doing the right thing, even though it is a tragedy for those involved, the country must right the ship otherwise it will be a tragedy for all of us. The last 40 odd years of spending what we don't have has to come to an end, otherwise we will soon no longer be on parity with the USD and will no doubt have more taxes. As a note for me the jury is still out on whether this government will do what needs to be done, so we shall see.
Sickened 7 years ago
Birdie don't care about no debt! He's a PLP so he has never paid and taxes and has no intention to. This is our debt, not his.
TalRussell 7 years ago
Comrades! Has you noticed how Anthony the PM's press secretary's photograph, does likes lit he self up a likes a Christmas Tree on what the PM is up to?
OMG 7 years ago
Can the 52 week workers, they do little or nothing as there is nothing for them to do and after all it was just a political ploy.
TalRussell 7 years ago
Comrades! Strange government claims to have placed a freeze on new hires - when the job as press secretary to the PM is a new 'post May 10, 2017 creation' in the PMO.... and they have done hired, or are hiring 20 additional press bodies to help Anthony to boost the PM's image. { You just can't make this PMO hires stuff up }. And, of course, it's the public purse that always foots the bill to 'try improve the PM's media image.....likes them dancing and private jet flying photo ops?
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