The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest was correct in his suggestion that the country’s next unemployment survey will show an increase in joblessness, according to Labour Minister Dion Foulkes.

Addressing the recent criticism levelled at the Minnis administration over the suggestion, Mr Foulkes yesterday argued that much of what was described by the East Grand Bahama MP is associated with temporary jobs created by the Christie administration in the build-up to 2017 general election.

According to Mr Foulkes, members of the former administration are attempting to shift the blame for the employment crisis it caused through the scores of temporary employment ventures or short-term contract jobs they created.

Referring to these programmes, Mr Foulkes said the government has only opted to not renew deals left in place, particularly those considered unsustainable.

“We do not want to let anybody go because Bahamians are suffering,” Mr Foulkes said. “A lot of people are having problems paying their bills and we want to keep people employed. But if you sign a contract for a certain time and the contract comes to an end, that was the end of the contract.

“Now, if we can afford to keep persons on, we will.

“But that is depending on the health of the economy on that given time,” he said.

Mr Foulkes urged Bahamians not to overanalyse the upcoming labour survey report, suggesting the figures would show a snapshot of the economy, not the full picture.

He said the government has been hard at work to create employment opportunities across the country.

According to Mr Foulkes, both the Resorts World Bimini (RWB) and Chub Cay properties have reengaged employees placed on temporary leave last fall.

As a result, 100 employees are expected to return to RWB and another 36 to Chub Cay.

Additionally, Mr Foulkes said projects now underway in Grand Bahama will engage persons in the coming weeks.

Moreover, he indicated that the Baha Mar resort will employ an additional 2,000 persons.

Nonetheless, Official Opposition Leader Philip “Brave” Davis continued his attack on the government yesterday.

In a statement Mr Davis claimed Mr Turnquest’s comments are proof that the Minnis administration “deliberately” created higher unemployment to fulfil its political agenda.

“At the same time as they have agreed that what they have done since coming to office will raise unemployment, they now want to blame the PLP,” Mr Davis noted. “This is part of the FNM’s pattern of behaviour: blame everyone except themselves. Let me make it clear, the FNM is the government. The FNM must accept responsibility for the higher rate of unemployment.”

Mr Davis continued: “The record is clear that in May of 2012, the PLP inherited an economy where unemployment had doubled under the FNM. The now prime minister, then leader of the opposition Hubert Minnis, said the FNM had left the economy in a wheelchair. In five years under the PLP, unemployment was reduced to single digits with 39,505 jobs being added to the economy. The PLP left the economy on its feet. We built a firm and solid foundation on which to build.”

Mr Davis said while in opposition, the FNM “vigorously opposed” the successful completion and opening of the Baha Mar resort under the PLP, even going as far as to ignore the thousands of jobs the property created.

He added that the PLP’s labour policy of regularising contract workers in the public service was “unceremoniously” cancelled by the FNM.

“The Revenue Enhancement Unit within the Department of Inland Revenue in the Ministry of Finance was all but gutted and staff sent home,” Mr Davis said.

“There is, therefore, little wonder that VAT revenue is down and the PLP publicly questions a connection between the two.

“At every turn, it appears this FNM is undermining the economy of this country. They tried to hurt it while they were in opposition and they are now hurting it as the government.

“They are totally responsible and culpable for any spike in unemployment and the PLP rejects the laying of any blame on this matter. Shame on them,” Mr Davis said.