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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 In his response to an article written in the August 17, 2015, Nassau Guardian, Minister Shane Gibson attempted to deflect attention from a substantive discussion on the results of the latest Labour Force Survey by making the outrageous, unsubstantiated, inaccurate and flat out bogus claim that I criticized the hard working and faithful civil servants of the Department of Statistics. On the contrary, it is he and his government that has a verifiable record of calling into question the quality and accuracy of this Department’s work whenever the results are unfavourable to their narrow interest.
For example, in a Nassau Guardian article dated 14 January 2014, written by Travis Cartwright-Carroll, it was reported that the Deputy Prime Minister in responding to a question regarding the increasing unemployment numbers as determined by the Department of Statistics stated, ”I’m not sure about that”, “I doubt it; in my own mind I doubt that. I will have to look at the numbers.”
In the same article, the reporter noted, “In August 2011 when the department released numbers showing that the unemployment rate had dropped from 14.2 percent to 13.7 percent, the PLP criticized statisticians who conducted the survey. In fact, the party staged a demonstration saying that unless discouraged workers are added to the unemployment figures, the overall statistics are “misleading”.
In an online blog, “Iaminpol in Bahamas” dated July 26, 2014, the DPM went on to reportedly suggest,
“…that the Department of Statistics’ recent figures on unemployment do not accurately reflect the number of new jobs that were created under the Christie administration.”
“Pointing to the Labour Force Survey, Davis also questioned whether the survey took into account the number of jobs that were created on the Family Islands, particularly Bimini and Abaco. So again, it is a question of the Department of Statistics looking and finding a way to reconcile numbers that [are] actually being revealed by National Insurance,” he said. I think they ought to [address] it before the next labor force is conducted. They ought to find the way and mechanism to ensure that there is no disparity in what they are saying and what NIB is saying.”
I wonder if the Minister would agree that those comments were inappropriate coming from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
To further point out the hypocrisy of the Mister however, In a Tribune article dated February 5, 2015, the reporter noted the following:
“Mr Gibson said officials were working on a formula to incorporate National Insurance Board contribution payment statistics into the Department of Statistics’ work. He said doing this would give a better reflection of the job climate in the country.”
Minister Gibson went on to defend his criticism of the Department of Statistics in an article dated, 2 June 2015, written by Travis Cartwright-Carroll of the Nassau Guardian, seeking to cast further doubt over the Labour Force Survey for that period.
Clearly by their own comments, Minister Gibson and his PLP government have no credibility in this matter and cannot be trusted to present an objective evaluation of the present employment statistics. When the results are in their favour they support the workers but when they are not, they seek to create doubt in the minds of the public over the professionalism, completeness and accuracy of the Department of Statistics. By suggesting that his own NIB statistics should overlay the work of the Department of Statistics, the Minister himself has called into question the integrity of those professionals engaged there and should be called out on it.
It is clear that this government and the Minister continues to have little respect for the intelligence of Bahamians and forgets the advantages of multiple online, print and electronic media archives, a development facilitated by the FNM.
As for the comments I made on the Labour Force Survey, I stand by my statements and reassure the Department of Statistics and the civil service of my continued support and respect for the work that they do. I encourage the Minister and his Government to do the same and to get about the process of facilitating real and sustained jobs for the Bahamian people as promised instead of engaging in puffery.
Our public deserves more than just catchy phrases but an elevated discussion on matters of national concern and a Free National Movement government will again facilitate the dialogue.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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