The Tribune

By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

The Prime Minister yesterday reassured that the Government's real property enforcement efforts are targeted at foreign homeowners and businesses rather than Bahamian families.

Closing the 2023-2024 Budget debates, he said: “When it comes to real property taxes, the vast majority of back taxes owed are owed by second homeowners. This is not an issue affecting most Bahamians. Raising the cap on real property tax affects owners of multi-million-dollar properties – which again, does not include most Bahamians.

"The irony is that these same people pay their taxes in their home countries but, for some reason, a few believe they don’t have to pay their taxes here as prescribed by law. Most Bahamians pay taxes through their consumption. They do not have the ability to evade their tax obligations because they are taxed when they purchase goods and make use of services every day.”

Mr Davis criticized the Opposition’s previous collection efforts that were halted after backlash from high-end property owners and maintained that tax laws are not optional. He said “Remember when the previous government refused to take action on real property tax reforms because a certain community wrote an 'angry letter'? Yeah…well, that ain’t us. And that most certainly ain’t me.

“Imagine a country in which the tax laws are optional for some people and some businesses. How can anyone who claims to represent the people in this Chamber take the position that such a system is defensible? If our efforts to require those who can afford it to live up to their tax obligations are being treated as controversial, it is because there are certain circles in our country who are not accustomed to being held accountable. “

Mr Davis said the increase in work permit fees will go towards an Immigration Levy Fund to aid Immigration enforcement, health and educational programmes. “We have also increased work permit fees. These increases will go into a Immigration Levy Fund for purposes associated for Immigration enforcement, national health and wellnees and educational programmes," he added.

“As you know, this modest increase in the work permit fee was objected to very loudly by members of the Opposition. Apparently, they oppose making it more costly for people who want to hire foreigners to come into this country to work.”

Mr Davis conceded that while foreign labour is necessary to provide experience and skills that may not be found locally, firms must ensure a Bahamian understudy is identified and trained to fill that position. He added that the Department of Labour has been put on notice to deny renewal requests or positions that Bahamians are qualified to fill.

He said: “We accept that in some instances foreigners are required to fill positions where expertise and experience does not reside locally. However, I want to make it clear to employers that in these instances we expect a Bahamian to understudy and be trained for that position.

“The Department of Immigration and, by extension, the Government should not find itself in a position where an employer is asking us to renew a work permit after 10 to 15 years. This is unacceptable, especially when our database at the Department of Immigration shows that Bahamians are qualified to fill the position.”

“I’ve asked the Department of Labour to hold these employers accountable and deny renewal applications where we have suitably qualified Bahamians living here or abroad. Enough is enough. A word to the wise should be sufficient.”