The recent article “Job numbers up but still below pre-pandemic levels” paints a cautiously optimistic picture of Bermuda’s labour market. While it is true that total jobs increased by 1.8 per cent between 2023 and 2024, a deeper dive into the data reveals troubling trends that deserve public scrutiny.

Bermudian employment: growth in name only

The headline — an increase of jobs — is misleading when broken down. Bermudians saw a net gain of just 18 jobs, a mere 0.1 per cent increase, while non-Bermudian jobs experienced a 6.8 per cent jump. This imbalance raises serious questions about the effectiveness of policies meant to prioritise Bermudian employment.

The explanation offered — that Bermudians are replacing retirees — fails to address the broader issue: are Bermudians being adequately prepared and supported to enter high-growth sectors such as international business and healthcare? Or are we being left behind?

Income gains erased by inflation

The article highlights a 1.3 per cent increase in median gross annual income, now at $71,151. But this modest gain is overshadowed by inflation, which averaged just under 2 per cent in 2024. Food prices rose 2.8 per cent, healthcare costs 3.1 per cent and rent 2.1 per cent. In real terms, Bermudians are earning less than they did the year before.

This is especially concerning given Bermuda’s notoriously high cost of living. Among the essentials, milk costs $13.40 per gallon, bread a minimum of $7 per loaf, and rent for a one-bedroom apartment can exceed $3,000 per month. A $913 annual income bump doesn’t go far in this environment.

Foreign-worker reliance and wage disparities

The surge in non-Bermudian employment suggests that businesses are either unable or unwilling to hire locally. This could stem from skill mismatches, but also points to deeper structural issues in education, training and hiring practices.

Even when Bermudians do hold high-level positions, they earn significantly less than their non-Bermudian counterparts.

For example:

Director and CEO: Bermudians earn $201,270, while non-Bermudians earn $322,893

Finance general manager: Bermudians earn $199,450, compared with $245,455 for non-Bermudians

These disparities are not just economic; they’re systemic.

AI and automation: a silent threat

Jason Hayward’s dismissal of artificial intelligence-related job displacement is premature. Experts estimate that 2 per cent to 5 per cent of Bermuda’s jobs could be lost to automation in the near future. Clerical, administrative and customer service roles — many held by Bermudians — are especially vulnerable.

Ignoring this threat risks leaving our workforce unprepared for the technological shifts already under way.

Recovery is not enough — we need resilience

Bermuda remains 927 jobs below pre-pandemic levels. Recovery should not be measured solely by job quantity, but by job quality, accessibility and sustainability. We must ask: are we building a resilient economy that works for Bermudians, or simply rebounding on paper?

The Government’s Employment Brief offers valuable data — but it must be interpreted through a critical lens. Job growth that disproportionately benefits non-Bermudians, income gains that don’t keep pace with inflation, and a lack of preparation for AI disruption are signs that Bermuda’s labour market is not as healthy as it appears.

We need bold, data-driven policies that prioritise Bermudian workers, close wage gaps and future-proof our economy. Anything less is a disservice to the people of Bermuda.

• Vance Campbell is the Shadow Minister of Economy and Labour, and the MP for Smith’s West (Constituency 9)