The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

While it could be argued that Bahamians, on average, are not into certain type works, such as gardening and housekeeping, that aversion should not be used as the standard to judge the Bahamian work ethic. Yes, many of our people who are employed are a bit on the lazy side, or so it would seem, but I place it all down to a lack of training and job skills, which should be taught in our senior and high schools. Our skills gap is directly affecting our people’s employment opportunities.

McCartney used to be MInister of State for Immigration under the Ingraham regime. Apart from numerous photo ops , I am at a difficulty to figure out just how effective, if at all, he would have been while holding that post. When he held sway, did he and the Department of Immigration ever voice their concerns over this skills gap and the need for Bahamians to understudy foreign employees? Was a real census ever conducted of the alleged illegal immigrants in our wonderful nation?

After quitting the DNA in a huff and a puff McCartney faded into political oblivion, apparently by choice. Last year rumours surfaced that he was being courted by Minnis and the FNM to return to the fold. I cannot speak for the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) but I would urge the leader, the Hon. Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, QC, MP (PLP-Cat Island) to let the FNM deal with him.

The PLP is on the march to 2022 and needs no distraction and mega ego-minded individuals to enter the ranks of the party. We are all able to recall the fiasco created by the then Christie-led party adopting and embracing Renward Wells and the now vanquished Dr Andre Rollins. Those individuals were on a run all to themselves.

McCartney says that the work ethics of Bahamians is bad and that they are not taking advantage of opportunities in the job market!! Where are these jobs, my brother? If you know where they are all you have to do is do the media and social circuits and inform those lazy and unmotivated Bahamians as to where they are. They would, I am sure, be grateful in the extreme!

He also opined that the country lacks Bahamian workers who are qualified. If this is the case, successive administrations, inclusive of himself, are to be blamed. We have allowed our educational and technical trade institutions to grow and decline in a Topsy-Turvey manner now some say that a large number of Bahamians lack the “work ethic”!

I was particularly insulted when the man who would/could have been Prime Minister, stated that Bahamians did not wish to become housekeepers, especially live-in ones. Most of the perceived elites here in New Providence, inclusive of those in the so-called gated communities, simply love their Filipino and/or Jamaican maids!

McCartney used to be closely involved in the education industry and he should be aware that our leaders have failed many of our children and young adults by promulgating cock-eyed education schemes and pie in the sky National Development plans. The silly season is upon us and I fully expect individuals, myself included, to come up with all sorts of ideas to facilitate nation building and the growing of national and individual productivity. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H. BODIE, Jr.

Nassau,

February 29, 2020.