November 3, 2014

Dear Sir,

I would like to provide a response to Mr Commissiong’s article [Nov 3] regarding unemployment in Bermuda and more specifically black unemployment in Bermuda.

Firstly, he uses employment statistics based on a survey that took place nine months into the OBA’s reign. He then uses these figures in an attempt to lay the blame at the current Government for the unfortunate circumstances these individuals find themselves in today’s job market.

But, sir, this is a man that is part of a political organisation who refuse to accept any responsibility for our economic free fall experienced under the last five or so years under their governance, and instead deflect all issues to the mythical global recession.

However, once out of power for a mere nine months now all of the unemployment issues lie directly at the feet of the newly implemented governing regime.

Secondly, it appears that Mr Commissiong wants to play politics with these numbers by omitting crucial comparable information from previous years. Between 2012 and 2013 the Bermuda workforce increased marginally to 35,989 or 0.3 per cent, with expatriates accounting for 24 per cent of the workforce with the latter being identical to the 2012 figures under the PLP.

The black workforce increased to 19,165 persons as compared to 17,229 in 2012, which translates to an 11 per cent increase in the black workforce within the first nine months of the OBA reign. Over the same time period black unemployment fell to nine per cent, or 1,960 persons, which is an improvement on the 11 per cent reported in the PLP’s last year in Government.

Not a peep was heard from Mr Commissiong and Co when the black unemployment rate continually increased under their reign, and now they want to be heard when the black unemployment rate has actually decreased since their boot from power.

The white segment of the workforce fell to 11,699 persons, which was a 12 per cent decrease between 2012 and 2013, with white unemployment falling two per cent from four per cent over the same time period.

What Mr Commissiong failed to include in his analysis is that, as the white workforce has grown smaller the inevitable result is that the unemployment rate will also drop. However, the black workforce despite increasing 11 per cent recorded a two per cent drop in unemployment.

As a summary, the facts are that within the first nine months of 2013:

• Black workforce increased by 11 per cent

• Black unemployment fell from 11 per cent to nine per cent

• White workforce decreased 12 per cent

Also, since this particular survey did not break down the races by Bermudian or non-Bermudian, there is an important factor to also take into consideration. The majority of expatriates are whites and thus when they lose their job or their work permit ends they must leave the Island, and hence they are taken off the employment roster as indicated in the 12 per cent decrease in the white workforce within the first nine months of 2013. So, of course this will affect the white unemployment numbers as whites are already the minority in the Island.

I know politicians will be politicians, but when they seek to divide the Island even more based on half-truths and glaring omissions, then someone must be responsible for correcting these misrepresentations. In all honestly, it is of my opinion that this paper as well as other news outlets should refrain from printing such articles until a full fact review is conducted to ensure that such nonsense isn’t spewed to the public as the ‘truth.’

JUST THE FACTS