Loretta Butler-Turner in the House of Assembly.
BAHAMIANS are “catching hell” under the Christie administration due to a stalled economy and worsening job prospects, Shadow Minister of Labour and Social Development Loretta Butler Turner said yesterday.
In a press statement, the Long Island MP said while Prime Minister Perry Christie paints a “false rosy picture” of an economic rebound, food and other costs continue to mount and the public is burdened with the introduction of value added tax.
“An uncaring government, unable to keep the electricity on in New Providence from week to week, only seems concerned about the needs of their families and cronies, and unconcerned about the scores of Bahamians falling behind on mortgages, school fees and other bills. There is still no mortgage relief as promised by the PLP,” the Free National Movement MP added.
She argued that rather than giving promised relief, the government “is wasting many millions on a carnival that will not help the average Bahamian but that will only put money in the pockets of a select few.”
Recent unemployment figures reveal that the jobless rate rose from 14.3 per cent in May 2014 to 15.7 per cent in November 2014.
On this note, Mrs Butler Turner said: “In January 2015 the Department of Statistics reported that there are 31,540 persons unemployed, that is 2,415 more than were unemployed when the FNM left office in May 2012.”
“Despite claiming to be ready on day one to turn the economy around and to provide 10,000 new jobs in its first year in office, the PLP has failed on both counts and the economy continues to deteriorate in key areas.”
She also noted the impending job losses and branch closures at Scotiabank (Bahamas), which she said would negatively impact each employee involved.
Last week the Canadian based bank confirmed that 50 staff might lose their jobs as a result of its restructuring exercise, which will result in six branch closures and the downsizing of two others.
“Every job lost represents a loss for a family,” she said. “The closing of branches in various Family Islands is devastating to already struggling communities. At Long Island, the loss of a Scotiabank branch at Stella Maris and the shifting of banking activities to a service centre with limited banking services at Deadman’s Cay will be a major setback for Long Islanders, businesses and residents, and will hurt tourism and other sectors.
“It appears that the economic impact of Baha Mar in terms of employment will not be what the government has touted as quite a number of the workers there will be hires from already existing entities instead of new hires in the economy.
“This prime minister and his irresponsible, wasteful and arrogant government have mismanaged the economy and the public purse, making our economic situation even worse as Bahamians struggle to make ends meet day after day and month after month,” she said.
Comments
banker 9 years ago
The sad part is for the Bahamians, is that the bank jobs are the true middle class jobs.
abe 9 years ago
Probably true.
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duppyVAT 9 years ago
The sad truth is that there is NO economic plan for the Out Islands ............ the FNM put in some basic infrastructure since 1992 and the PLP has done very little to advance the development of the southern or central islands. But with very little FDI and domestic investment to encourage jobs and entrepreneurial growth in the islands, they will continue to flounder and die.
Foreign companies like Scotiabank will eventually move on when the profits dry up ......... the numbers houses have effectively sucked up all of the cash business and big loans continue to default.
LBT needs to encourage her party leader to present a viable economic plan to reinvigorate life in the Family Islands .......................... anything different from the BAMSI-style projects of the PLP
birdiestrachan 9 years ago
Can Ms Butler say what she would have done differently about the situations she mentioned. Obviously she is against carnival. no matter the circumstances some will benefit some will not. Musicans beware
TalRussell 9 years ago
Seems somebody gone shake awake da Comrade Shadow Minister of Labour and Social Development Loretta. I still somewhat confused, why the reds done summarize that them holding tight onto the middle class votes, they can win back da government come 2017? Same day, they seem to have also awaken the former Labour Minister Dion, from he deep loss he seat sleep.
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years ago
We need for LBT to first try sit on Minnis again and then sit on Christie. Minnis needs to be squashed by intense pressure first, or we will find that the next House of Assembly becomes loaded with independents as no one in their right mind wants to even contemplate the possibility of Minnis ever being PM.
TalRussell 9 years ago
by TalRussell
Cobalt 9 years ago
I seem to recall Bahamians "catching hell" under the FNM as well! As a matter of fact.... the entire reason that Bahamians took a gamble with this worthless PLP government, is because of the perpetual suffering they experienced under the FNM.
Evidentially, Mrs. LBT has a short memory!
TalRussell 9 years ago
Comrade Cobalt she got's a "Long But Tricky" on her mind kinds memory. All we can do is keep LBT's head in we nightly prayers.
TheMadHatter 9 years ago
Absolutely correct. The DNA and independent candidates need to be sure to remind Bahamians WHY they voted OUT the FNM in 2012 - and convince them not to turn fool enough to put them back in.
TalRussell 9 years ago
Comrades the red party picked (renewed) Minniss leadership, leaving the party open to a hostile takeover from an outsider. The party remains solidly incapable of attracting much attention from the thousands of voters feeling let down by a PLP governing party. Not even a few are feeling inspired by Minnis and his new team. When Papa starts looking like the alternative - oh yeah - you is in deep political liability trouble.
SP 9 years ago
................................... Loretta Needs More Souse, Donuts & Pizza ................................
Using a "REAL CASE BAROMETER".... More Bahamians committed suicide during the FNM last term in office than under any other administration in the countries history.
This is not a feather in the PLP cap because they are just as lousy as the FNM, but it took people this long to come to the realization that the misery continues unabated.
Go to Western Union any day of the week and you'll find scores of expats sending money back home while Bahamians remain unemployed.
PLP and FNM S-U-C-K!
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