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Bahamian Politics Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Roberts: Latest jobs report shows that country on right track
By Bradley B. Roberts National Chairman, Progressive Liberal Party
Jul 24, 2014 - 1:57:27 AM

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The latest Labour Force Survey published by the Department of Statistics is proof positive that under the Christie administration, The Bahamas is indeed on course and moving in the right direction.

I congratulate the government for its focused leadership in directing this meteoric economic turnaround in just two short years. Inheriting an economic mess in May 2012 where the economy had bled over 15,000 jobs during the FNM years in government coupled with immeasurable suffering of the Bahamian people where the misery index was off the charts, the addition of over 8,000 jobs to the economy in just two short years is welcomed and encouraging news.

Of the particular note is the significant reduction in the number of discouraged workers, especially on the island of Grand Bahama where this number has decreased by 60%. This is NOT an opinion but empirical evidence that despite the politically motivated naysaying and the many sermons of gloom and doom, Bahamians across this archipelago have hope and strong confidence in this government’s economic policies as the right formulae to right the Bahamian ship of state.

I also note with pride that the announcement of the consultative process with a view to extending duty free concessions to both east and west Grand Bahama is also welcomed news and a an important component in the recovery strategy for the economy of that island. These concessions will go a long way in encouraging investment, stimulating job growth and creating greater economic prosperity for our brothers and sisters in the north.

In the run up to the 2012 general elections, Prime Minister Christie reminded Bahamians over and repeatedly that during his government’s last 5 year tenure in office (2002 to 2007), some 22,000 jobs were added to the economy and that his government had the capacity to do it again. The Bahamian people believed him and he has not disappointed them. I share the expressed optimism of the Prime Minister and his government that better days are indeed ahead for the Bahamian people.

I again call on all the naysayers and the purveyors of gloom and doom who were openly betting against the Bahamian people to eat crow and to do so liberally.

I further congratulate the government for their good work and fiscal prudence that placed government finances in a position to increase the take home wages of thousands of civil servants. This is in stark contrast to the state of the treasury and economy left behind by the FNM government in May 2012 where there were serious and real uncertainties about the government’s ability to meet the public payroll. Thankfully, the job security of civil servants was not only protected, but thousands received salary increases and thousands of new jobs were added to the economy.

If Dr. Hubert Minnis and the FNM had any shame or credibility, they would apologize to both Prime Minister Christie and the Bahamas Information Services (BIS). Minnis reportedly made disparaging and totally inaccurate remarks to the press about the reported job numbers quoted in 2nd Anniversary Magazine published by BIS in May of this year on the government’s accomplishments. Now that the statute authority of the government (Department of Statistics) has reported and supports the job figures published by BIS, Minnis should do the right thing and apologize to both PM Christie and BIS specifically. He should know that it is improper and potentially embarrassing to challenge the official voice of the government without empirical evidence of support and before conducting the requisite due diligence.

Bahamas Department of Statistics releases 2014 Labor Force Survey (Apr 28 - May 4)

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