Cut in work permits to help Bahamians
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune News Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
BECAUSE of the high level of unemployment, the Department of Immigration decreased the number of work permits issued in 2011 by 24 per cent, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Immigration Brent Symonette said yesterday.
From January 1 to December 31, 2011, the Department of Immigration issued 7,091 work permits, 2,299 less than the 9,390 issued in 2010 and 1,025 less than 2009.
Mr Symonette revealed these statistics while answering questions posed to him by Opposition members in the House of Assembly.
"We are putting Bahamians first," Mr Symonette said.
"We are not issuing permits to foreigners for jobs Bahamians can do. The department has tightened its level of scrutiny on work permit applications and as a consequence 2,299 fewer permits were issued in 2011 than in 2010. Another reason for the decrease is a lot of the companies that were in the Bahamas are no longer here so their employees went with them. To say the economic downturn is the only reason is not entirely correct but it is one of the main reasons."
Of the 7,091 work permits issued last year 53 per cent or 3,793 were given to housekeepers and handymen - 1,671 and 2,122 respectively.
Mr Symonette said the reason for the high numbers is because Bahamians simply "don't want the jobs."
"More than half of the work permits went to non-skilled labour. Bahamians complain about the number of work permits we issue and the unemployment rate however they refuse to do the jobs. They think its menial and beneath them and they just won't do it. Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too," he said.
"A lot of Bahamian households have Jamaican maids and because Bahamian women rather apply to work in the hotel as housekeepers than in a home. Then you have a large category of Peruvian and Filipino live ins. These people require work permits. You have a large number of Haitian gardeners. I know one man who has had his work permit renewed 20 times because Bahamians just won't do the work."
Work permits for construction workers decreased by 53 per cent, from 565 in 2010 to 291 in 2011. Farm labourers also decreased significantly from 549 to 441. In fact, of the 24 categories of jobs that foreigners were granted work permits in 2011 all but eight saw decreases compared to the same period in 2010.
The categories where increases were seen are listed as follows:
* Cooks: 141 - 145
* Consultants: 51 - 89
* Guest Organisers: 49 - 64
* Maintenance Men: 49 - 59
* Presidents: 0 - 3
* Projects Mangers: 43 - 57
* Surveyors: 25-31
* Attorneys: 0 - 4
Mr Symonette said the government expects more declines in the issuance of voters cards with the introduction of the new training programme, which is designed to provide more Bahamians with skills for jobs now being done by non Bahamians.
Of the 7,091 work permits issued last year. 5,958 were issued on new tamper proof, electronic cards.
February 07, 2012
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label 2011 Bahamas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2011 Bahamas. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Rev CB Moss - executive director Bahamas Against Crime (BAC) says: ...the new murder record "ensures that 2011 will be the bloodiest year in The Bahamas' history... setting the fourth new record in the last five years."
Bahamas 'near the tipping point' in crime
tribune242
THE Bahamas is now "near the tipping point" a local anti-crime activist group has warned.
Calling the new record for murders set last week a "shameful" milestone, Bahamas Against Crime (BAC) urged authorities to change tack before it is too late.
"Only a collective effort, with less talk and more focused action, will prevent a deepening of the crisis, with the attendant social collapse," said BAC executive director Rev CB Moss in a statement.
Rev Moss said the new murder record "ensures that 2011 will be the bloodiest year in our history, setting the fourth new record in the last five years."
As if this were not enough, he said, other serious crimes are also at or near record levels.
"Obviously this state of affairs is providing opportunistic and self-serving entities a great platform to assign blame, and to promote their selfish agendas," he said.
"The truth is that most, if not all of them failed to respond when they should have, thereby making a direct contribution to the present sad state."
BAC noted that since 2005, its members have tried "with very limited success" to alert the country to the impending crisis.
"Some of those doing the most talking today were among the least responsive. On April 19, 2010 Bahamas Against Crime organised a summit for private sector organisations, followed by another on June 16, 2010. It is very interesting to note how many of the nearly 100 invitees failed to attend. A visit to our website, bahamasagainstcrime.net/news.asp, will reveal their identities, which should make interesting reading.
"Bahamas Against Crime is once again calling upon the nation to act now before it is too late. If we are not prepared to act, then stop the rhetoric," Rev Moss said.
September 20, 2011
tribune242
tribune242
THE Bahamas is now "near the tipping point" a local anti-crime activist group has warned.
Calling the new record for murders set last week a "shameful" milestone, Bahamas Against Crime (BAC) urged authorities to change tack before it is too late.
"Only a collective effort, with less talk and more focused action, will prevent a deepening of the crisis, with the attendant social collapse," said BAC executive director Rev CB Moss in a statement.
Rev Moss said the new murder record "ensures that 2011 will be the bloodiest year in our history, setting the fourth new record in the last five years."
As if this were not enough, he said, other serious crimes are also at or near record levels.
"Obviously this state of affairs is providing opportunistic and self-serving entities a great platform to assign blame, and to promote their selfish agendas," he said.
"The truth is that most, if not all of them failed to respond when they should have, thereby making a direct contribution to the present sad state."
BAC noted that since 2005, its members have tried "with very limited success" to alert the country to the impending crisis.
"Some of those doing the most talking today were among the least responsive. On April 19, 2010 Bahamas Against Crime organised a summit for private sector organisations, followed by another on June 16, 2010. It is very interesting to note how many of the nearly 100 invitees failed to attend. A visit to our website, bahamasagainstcrime.net/news.asp, will reveal their identities, which should make interesting reading.
"Bahamas Against Crime is once again calling upon the nation to act now before it is too late. If we are not prepared to act, then stop the rhetoric," Rev Moss said.
September 20, 2011
tribune242
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