The Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) now infamous promise of ten thousand new jobs for Bahamians has failed to come to fruition. In fact, despite the announcement of their grandiose employment strategy, this past two years of PLP governance has seen thousands of Bahamians, particularly in the banking and tourism industries lose their jobs. That highly touted employment strategy has proven nothing more than another empty campaign promise.

The termination of nearly 200 employees of the Bahamar resort property on Cable Beach and the reported imminent redundancies that are expected to take place at a local bank are the latest in a series of economic blows dealt to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas over the course of this PLP administration’s term in office.

Even worse however, is the reality that the leadership of this country is oblivious to the implications these layoffs have on the overall economic picture, or simply does not care. While hardworking Bahamians continue to be put out of work, the PLP Government sees a ‘Bright Future for the Bahamas’. Clearly, the PLP Government must be dreaming or living in an alternate reality, a reality where this government is fulfilling its mandate to the people, a reality where Bahamians are prosperous and the economy thrives. Unfortunately for the rest of us, no such reality exists.

These latest round of job cuts represent yet another group of Bahamians with families to provide for; children to feed, homes to maintain and mortgages to pay. They represent yet another group of Bahamians who trusted this administration when they claimed to “Believe in Bahamians” and promised Mortgage relief – a plan which in itself was also a dismal failure. Now, with the implementation of VAT less than 60 days away, these individuals will be forced into even more difficult circumstance.

The dependency of foreign direct investments as the primary source of economic stimulation and employment in this country has made Bahamian workers an expendable commodity to be fired, hired, and moved around at the whim of a foreign entity. The time has come for this and future governments to truly see Bahamians not only as workers but also as owners of their own economy.

This PLP administration promised JOBS, what they have delivered instead is JOB LOSSES! We call on PM Perry Christie to do what is required of him as leader and create the kind of economic stability that facilitates the entrepreneurial spirit and proves once and for all that he truly BELIEVES in his people.

Branville McCartney

DNA Leader