By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE country’s unemployment rate now stands at 10.1 per cent, Department of Statistics Labour Force Survey officials announced Friday.
While there was an increase in the number of employed persons by 3,575, this growth in the employment number was not enough to cover the net increase in available labour with new graduates entering the work force, according to Senior Statistician Cypreanna Winters.
She said this led to a marginal growth in the unemployment rate from 9.9 per cent to 10.1 per cent.
The survey captured the status of jobs for the period October 30, 2017 to November 6, 2017, canvassing 3,500 people, Ms Winters said during a press conference at the Department of Statistic on Madeira Street.
The total number of workers in the labour force is now 203,730. The number also accounts for a small reduction to the number of workers now in the government sector.
Ahead of the last labour force survey there were 40,990 government workers. However this new data says the number has been reduced by 6.3 per cent taking the public sector number to 38,435.
Ms Winters said: “The private sector absorbed most of the new jobs since May 2017. However, when examined by the industry, the transport, storage and retail industry posted an 18 per cent increase in employment, while the wholesale and retail industry posted a nine per cent increase in employment.
“Unemployment among youth aged 15 to 24 continued to be considerably higher than any other age group, which is common in most countries. However their rates increased from 20.1 per cent in May 2017 to 22 per cent in November.
“Discouraged workers in the country increased by 5.7 per cent over the six-month period. New Providence and Grand Bahama experienced increases in the number of discouraged workers, 2.9 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively. However discouraged workers in Abaco declined by 9.7 per cent. These persons, according to the standard definition of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) did not look for work because they believed no jobs were available,” Ms Winters said.
The next labour force survey will be released in May.
Comments
OMG 6 years, 2 months ago
Funny on Eleuthera every morning there are Hatiens going to work and one can see some Bahamians who stay by the bar all day drinking. There is work if you want it.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 2 months ago
Well ........... send the Haitians home!!!!!! ......... What is wrong with you people in Eleuthera, Exuma, Nassau, GB, and Abaco!!! .......... You seem to love the Haitian misery.
licks2 6 years, 2 months ago
They will come for you too! What do expect for them to do when greedy and exploitative employers will only hire "slave labor" illegals because Bahamians will not tolerate their nonsense! Don't worry though. . .the new sheriff will come for them this go around. . . them Bahamians can now come from out of them bars and go to work!!
OMG 6 years, 2 months ago
Firstly many are legally here and secondly that doesn`t answer the question why so many young people prefer to wait for a cushy office or government job and find cutting grass or yard work beneath them
sheeprunner12 6 years, 2 months ago
Well ........ you (Eleuthera) seem to have a "work ethic" issue and an entitlement issue ..... The youth needs to understand that ALL work is noble and beneficial to society ....... We are too caught up in teaching and looking for "easy jobs".
licks2 6 years, 2 months ago
Check ya facts. . .IMO says that few than many are here legally. . .I am not talking about Bahamians of Haitian decent (most of the one who are referred to as legal ones). . .this is their country. . .they are not migrants. . .they are Bahamians! Those that here on work permits, no work permits etc and all other non-citizen categories. . . THEY ARE THE MIGRANTS. . .THE HUGE BLOCK OF THEM ARE ILLEGAL. . .THEY MAKE UP ABOUT 12% OF THE POPULATION!
BaronInvest 6 years, 2 months ago
Not all work is noble and beneficial to society - that's just bullshit. And these are certainly not factors to consider a job - especially for young people. The issue is that you do not teach your kids how to reach their potential, how to figure out what they want in live and how to archive that goal. Your education system is abysmal - and high unemployment is the outcome.
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