Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Photo: Terrel W. Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday more must be done to decrease the “thousands” of work permits approved annually in the country.
Dr Minnis did not reveal the exact number, but just last month, Immigration Minister Brent Symonette told reporters he approved 500 work permits over three days for Haitian nationals.
Labour Director John Pinder also said in July over 5,000 people apply for permits every year.
Noting the volume of approvals, Dr Minnis said there is nothing wrong with other nationalities seeking employment in the Bahamas but it should be done legally.
Those who break the law, he said will be prosecuted and/or have their migrant status revoked.
“The amount of work permits that we issue today must decrease,” Dr Minnis said during remarks he made at the opening a national skills symposium at the National Training Agency on Gladstone Road.
“Statistics from the Department of Immigration confirmed that thousands of work permits are approved on an annual basis for foreign workers.
“Many of these applications are approved primarily because employers claim and provide justification that in many instances Bahamians lack the requisite skills and or certifications to fill various vacancies.”
When he was asked to explain his position on the granting of work permits, Dr Minnis said: “An individual comes to your country because they are seeking opportunities, they’re seeking job opportunities. There’s nothing wrong with that but do it legally.
“We need employees and yes we will accept them legally but if you allow illegals to continue to be employed under the radar and establish an underground economy then that has great effects on your society and they would continue to come here once there are opportunities.
Dr Minnis continued: “Therefore, as mature citizens we must respect the law and apply for them properly, there is a system and they will be dealt with fairly. So all we’re saying is we have a responsibility and if we break the law we should not only inflict the law on the illegal immigrant but we must also apply the law to those who are breaking it.
“Bahamians and others and if you are here as our guests as permanent residents and you’re breaking the law then that should be revoked.”
Asked how soon there would be convictions for these immigration-related offences, Dr Minnis said they have already begun.
“They are prosecuting, believe me they are doing that,” he said.
“If you follow the immigration department they have taking Bahamians before the courts to be prosecuted and they will become even more aggressive because the message must be loud and clear.
“We cannot have a system of catch and release catch and release. We must become involved. We must become law abiding citizens. We must apply for individuals legally and they will be dealt with properly and legally, but if we continue to break the law and the message goes out that hey Bahamas is an open society, individuals will come from all over the world.”
Mr Pinder, in July expressed a desire to review the application process of long-term work permits, telling The Tribune there should be increased stipulations to guard against abuse.
A former trade unionist, Mr Pinder stressed the need to strengthen labour policies related to work permits, telling this newspaper he had received at least 100 vacancy notices per week.
He said at the time: “The amount of NOVs (notice of vacancy) that come to my office – there are thousands of people on work permit applying for vacancies. Sure most of them are handymen or maids; we have to encourage Bahamians to take these jobs. It’s minimum wage but when you add all the benefits – the job they advertise could see someone potentially take home $20,000 annually.
“At least 100 a week,” he continued, “that’s over 5,000 people every year applying for work permit.”
He also underscored the need to strengthen NOV criteria – particularly stipulations concerning the training of Bahamians.
Comments
tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 10 months ago
....And y'all just realizing this? While the unemployment rate remains sky high!
bahamadog 5 years, 10 months ago
Why is it Bahamians don't like Donald Trump, but seem to have the same feelings he has with regards to illegal immigrants. Just shows you how we are hypocrites.
BahamaPundit 5 years, 10 months ago
It never fails. When a politician feels like he is unpopular and has lost control of the country and his mandate to lead, he tries to appeal to the public hate of foreigners. Oldest trick in the book. This is purely a move made by a desperate man to shift the blame and change the narrative from his own inadequate leadership ability.
Dawes 5 years, 10 months ago
Agreed, every Government does this as soon as their popularity looks bad.
jamaicaproud 5 years, 10 months ago
You are correct. Of course, people from a country will feel a way if foreigners get jobs. However, it is a credit to the Bahamas that outsiders want to go there. So he should stop the blame game. Trust me, the minute outsiders no longer want to work in Bahamas, that is when you will know teh country is really in trouble
BahamaPundit 5 years, 10 months ago
Yet this same arrogantly simple man who supposedly "hates" foreigners just gave a foreign company 65 million dollars plus of our hard earned VAT money, when he could have likely leveraged a purely private purchase of the white elephant Lucayan Hotel using Government pressure points. Can't fool us Minnis. He may "hate" foreigners, but he had nothing but contempt for the Bahamian people. And now he's begging another foreign company, Shell, to bail out the BPL power shortage. This man's lips and his actions are a million miles apart.
ohdrap4 5 years, 10 months ago
well the ones who apply for the NOVS are acting according to law, aren't they?
that is the wrong place to look for people to prosecute.
Porcupine 5 years, 10 months ago
Exactly. The problem is that they may granting too many work permits, but this government is the one granting them. How can you blame the others when you are in control of the government. There are classes in logic. Minnis, clearly has missed them all.
joeblow 5 years, 10 months ago
Minnis is good a talking! Not so good at doing! Brent is on a mission, that's why he wanted Immigration!
DDK 5 years, 10 months ago
On a mission to give away The Bahamas?
bogart 5 years, 10 months ago
Former Trade Unionist ....singing a different tune now he on the udder side of the table.....mudda tek sic...... HOW IN THE WORLD MR. FORMER. LABOUR ...NOW PRESENT BIG TIME GOVT LABOUR EXECUTIVE....CAN A FOREIGN LABOURER .....SURVIVE ON MINIMUM WAGES...?.??......AN WHOSE ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME IS STATED IN BLACK AN WHITE ON THE GOVT .....DOCUMENT....ON WHICH NIB..NATIONAL INSURAMCE .....IS LEGALLY MANDATED........AND STILL.....MAKE $20,000. PER ANNUM......GIVEN THE OTHER..... "BENEFITS".....???????....and are the other "benefits" going UNTAXED....??? Wid all due respect Mr. Pinder as the lawful Govt man...it seems you have just revealed something....dishonest.....in 1. Work Permit Jobs advertised at minimum wage BUT IN ACTUAL FACT may be more potentially $20,000.. 2. If the Foreign Labourers wages are up to $20,000. Shouldnt their NIB contribitions be taxed on $20,000. than on minimum wage.....???? 3. If indeed in fact Foreign worker can be on Work Permit advertising da vacant job as MINIMUM WAGE...but....can make up to $20,000. ....potientially.....THEN ...what is to stop anyone making any amount more than what the job advertises says...??? 4. How can any Work Permit Holder survive on Minimum Wage............whochin dey mandated to legally pay NIB on their full earnings....while dey in da country....??? 5. What are these other .......potential "benefits"....Mr. SENIOR LABOUR EXECUTIVE......????.........or are these "benefits"......like free schooling ...hospital....free govt services paid for off the Backs of PORE ORDINARY BAHAMIANS.....in what is now seems to be a dishonest process....?..?
TheMadHatter 5 years, 10 months ago
"“If you follow the immigration department they have taking Bahamians before the courts to be prosecuted and they will become even more aggressive because the message must be loud and clear." said Minnis.
REALLY? Yet, he can't name ONE name. Trust me, not a SINGLE Bahamian has been hauled before the courts for hiring illegals. Not one.
Bogart is also correct. There is something rotten in Denmark. This is a grand conspiracy to take over this country and get rid of Bahamians entirely. Meanwhile the delegation is off to Geneva to sell us to the merchant ships once more with the WTO.
Sadly, however, there is nothing that can be done about it because Bahamians themselves are complicit in their own destruction. Who hires these foreigners? Bahamians. Who shops in the illegal shanty town stores? Bahamians. Who marries illegal persons to "make" them legal? Bahamians. Who takes up collection in church to help the "poor" Haitians every time they have some issue? Bahamians.
Who is NOT out in the street marching in support of a 50% tax on money transfers to the Caribbean? Bahamians. Who makes up and broadcasts on radio and television (and btc topup computer) ads and info in Creole? Bahamians. Who shops at all the Chinese "convenience" stores in Nassau and buys liquor and cigarettes (and wrappers) from them? Bahamians.
So WHO is destroying the Bahamas? Bahamians. Not the government.
geostorm 5 years, 10 months ago
@Madhatter, you got it correct again!
ohdrap4 5 years, 10 months ago
Actually they did take ONE bahamian before the courts:
http://www.tribune242.com/news/2018/aug…
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
How hell does a government possess such ugly big set balls claim they've lost war on something they have thousand percent control over?
More evidence ammunition stacking up justify why Her Excellency Marguerite. has be undergoing some sets royal pains - not make good her royal firing authority strike out against colony islands comrade prime minister and if necessary, the entire contingent other 34 red shirts MP's, for their complicity in propping up the going on's PMO. {Just can't make abundance hypocrisy spilling out this PMO, up }.
bogart 5 years, 10 months ago
......psssst.. Tal....psssssSSTTT ....TAL.... 4 Feb 2015 see google google
tribune loftus roker enforce all laws or change them
DDK 5 years, 10 months ago
http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/feb…
BahamaPundit 5 years, 10 months ago
I've finally cracked the FNM Grand Lucayan Hotel purchase code. In order to join WTO and due to devaluation to junk bond status, the Bahamian currency WILL be devalued. In order to hedge against guaranteed devaluation, the Baystreet Boys are purchasing the hotel so they can sell it for US dollars to a foreign purchaser/investor. The Baystreet Boys can then exchange their Bahamian dollars for US dollars before devaluation occurs. This is also why the Baystreet Boys want ownership of the Cruise Ship Port, so they will have access to and a steady flow of US dollars. I'm calling it now! The B dollar is going to be devalued before the Bahamas can join the WTO (the US dollar peg will not be allowed by the WTO!). Change your Bahamian currency now! This is the only explanation that makes perfect sense for the purchase of the hotel.
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Ma Comrades Minnis and KP aren't sure how to keep promise brugin abundance high paying tech jobs that even by their low standards was so outlandish that it now looks like they're making out be doing something good Grand Bahamalanders - by sustaining (not creating) few plantation low paying hotel jobs... and all by borrowing millions and millions dollars with added interest payable beholding Chinese plantation owners. { No need make this return plantation days stuff up, now is there? }. Soon Imperial red shirts minister work permits Brent is goin be brungin in work permit holders from India's northern sate Punjab to man's low wage call centers.
TheMadHatter 5 years, 10 months ago
Pundit, i wouldnt doubt the devaluation prior to WTO, especially since they know Bahamians won't burn Bay Street and Cable Beach to the ground in retaliation. We will just bend over and take it like always.
However, the hotel is a non-issue. These boys done gats all kinda accounts.
TheMadHatter 5 years, 10 months ago
Ohdrap - yeah mostly Jamaicans and the Bahamian case adjourned to Dec 10th never to be heard from again. How come the well known QC can get get hearings within 24 hrs but we gats to wait months on the other side of the fence?
BahamaPundit 5 years, 10 months ago
Please read this excellent article in full. The relevant quote is printed below:
https://thenassauguardian.com/2014/05/1… May 14, 2014 Nicole Burrows
Thirdly, will this accession to the WTO eventually force us to remove our currency peg to the U.S. dollar, when, as a result of an unprecedented increase in U.S. imports and decrease in Bahamian exports, our U.S. currency demand becomes far greater than our demand for our own currency?
Could we, one day soon, become a U.S. dollar-only economy?
bogart 5 years, 10 months ago
So..... the govt is looking for revenue....easy one.....now that there are additional benefits say live in maids...... in hiring foreign maids.....the Real Property Tax office should look into the portion of the residemce the foreogn worker resides in as having a monetary value that has not been taxed before.....amd apply a Property Tax based on the applicable portion ratio of residence used as in rental ....equilivent rental purpose.....!!!!
Islandboy100 5 years, 10 months ago
Brent symanett should be locked up for giving away our passports to illegal Haitians and trying to force us into the WTO.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 10 months ago
These people áre a bunch of dummies. I'm sorry. Did they read the CEB bill? Did they read their own edict where ANY Indian national with a Canadian, US or Schegen visa is allowed admittance to any plane headed to the Bahamas and on arrival is AUTOMATICALLY granted a work permit? Stop this fake outrage after you already open the floodgates IINTENTIONALLY. Rank stupidity. One of the only growth industries left in the Bahamas and you give it away on a platter...
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 10 months ago
It's almost as if they have a split personality. He in charge but complaining about what he allowing. No more government owned hotels it's a bad idea! If I had my way.....
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Ma Comrade ThisIsOurs, now you've brought out such unhappiness causing split the 91,409 voting red shirts 10 May 2017 to thinking - how else excepting they must've had split personality have calculated best this election vote for Imperials Minnis, KP, Hon. Speaker Dwitt, along with other 32 Imperial red MP's.
SP 5 years, 10 months ago
Just blah, blah, blah every day! PGC disease.
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Ma Comrades, are there enough circumstances which would compel Her Excellency Marguerite to sign Royal Decree to order the holding of a Special Redo Election opportunity just for the 91,409 voting red 10 May 2017 who voted the 35 reds but only after feeling disenchanted campaign promises PLP's, Green party and Independents..... hopefully to head off a much worse economy under Minnis, KP and House Speaker Dwitt - we colony of islands?
The_Oracle 5 years, 10 months ago
Very disappointing, irrespective of the actual immigration policy/crisis/illusion. He has basically reverted to good standard bearing PLP policy/mouthing off. Fred must be thrilled. What a tremendous disappointment.
tonypratt 5 years, 10 months ago
Mr Minnis is concerned about the many work permits .Rightly so but his focus is in the wrong area.He need to look into what’s happening in the hotels.Especially Atlantis and Bahamar.Where the expats are taking over middle management positions.Below is an excerpt from a letter in last week guardian. In recent times there has been a noticeable amount of Caucasian expatriates hired in the hospitality industry holding middle management positions in the food and beverage department. The reality is there are Bahamians who are capable of these positions but are not considered .Not only are they passed up but are passed up in favor of an expat who have never held a managerial position until coming to the Bahamas. Yeah !! Right they could tell us anything.Some of them that worked as cooks and servers are hired as chefs,directors and restaurant managers .With so many talented Bahamians available why is there an expat restaurant manager in a hotel in the Bahamas. Especially an expat who is feeding of his Bahamian assistant .We have been taken back more than fifty years when there were mostly Italians and French maitre’d‘s.Now we are all over the lowly Haitians that are living in the bushes who ekes out a living by weeding our yards.But not lobbying for the lucrative jobs held by the expats.Who are receiving housing allowance and whose children’s school fees are being paid.They come here on limited work permits that are gradually extended to five ten,fifteen years,some of them never returning to their own countries . How sweet it is. While our UB students graduating with honors holding degrees in hotel management cannot get a decent job. ”According to societies echelon it is called globalization”.Please free up those jobs and give our young graduates a chance before we lose anymore of them to the streets.
Porcupine 5 years, 10 months ago
With all due respect, tony pratt. I have hired and trained thousands of hotel and restaurant workers, very successfully. If you want a business to work, you must hire the very best people available. It is not a businesses job to give people a chance. As a whole, our country has lost the service mentality. If you can't see this most anywhere you go, you are not in the service business. After years of being in the business, I rarely hired on experience. I hired on personality. To tell a business to hire a certain nationality, as opposed to the best candidate is suicide for the business. If you want the best candidate, educate, train and instill in them a good work ethic. If you want a failed business, keep telling them who to hire. If you want foreigners out of your country, tell your government. Business people want their business to succeed, and will therefore hire the best people. Once you present that ideal job candidate, clean, prompt, honest, a team worker and willing to please, the employer will be ecstatic and will hire them quickly, before someone else does. To think that just because someone has education or a degree in hotel management, they can do the job is foolish and unrealistic. You either have a service personality or you don't. We have a long way to go here. That is the sad reality. If we start trying to improve ourselves, rather than blame it all on the foreigners, we would get somewhere. This could happen in the next generation or two. It won't happen next year, I am certain of this.
I can't say when or why this happened, though I can speculate.
BONEFISH 5 years, 10 months ago
A government of contradictions.A year ago this government passed the commercial enterprise bill. Now the PM is saying too much work permits are being issued.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 10 months ago
They also quietly very quietly relaxed the requirements for Indian nationals with US Canadian and Schengen visas. They are granted an automatic work permit on entry. Our country has been sold off to foreign interests with the aid of the ICT committee. They created the rules to allow themselves to import Indian programmers for their businesses. And they did t surreptitiously. The man already tell y'all he has no problem using his position for his personal benefit.
TheMadHatter 5 years, 10 months ago
Bonefish - he aint talkin about CEB. It's the invading army from the south that is the problem. But it's really too late. The fact that there is even one Bahamian (you) left who doesn't see it, means their plan for takeover is foolproof.
We are doomed. Lower the flags to half mast.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 10 months ago
No he's not talking about the CEB or The Pointe and isn't that ironic? Now the first thing they will say is we didn't negotiate the Pointe contract. Well, if you want to see what they would have negotiated look at Oban, the BEC VSEP and the Lucayan. We'd be lucky we didn't end up paying the Chinese workers.
The guys from the south of take the low end jobs and the ones from the east to take the high end jobs and the Europeans to take over finance once the WTO accession is complete. And all this happens quietly and slowly while he's ginning up the mob to watch the Haitian community. Next is energy, watch and see.
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Ma Comrades, are we returning back 25% unemployment?
........///////https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq4Pu1-Z0yQ
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