PLP Blog | Bermuda Progressive Labour Party

Yesterday, the PLP Government released a comprehensive Labour Force Survey. While the global financial crisis has certainly brought challenges, there's reason for optimism. As Minister Cox notes, "Bermuda's workers are skilled, talented and committed. We have shrewd and capable leaders in local and international business. Working together we will emerge from the recession."

Many are concerned with our 4.5% unemployment rate. Minister Burch notes that the PLP Government is taking action to combat unemployment and create opportunities for Bermudians.

The economic times that we are facing both locally and globally are unprecedented. The Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing will continue to employ all available resources to ensure that those who find themselves facing hardships in the employment arena can come to the Ministry to get the support they need.

As you are now aware, the Labour Force Survey notes that of Bermuda’s 4.5% unemployment rate or 1,714 people, more than 53% or 908 of the unemployed were men aged 16 – 24 years old. This statistic is of major concern for us. We cannot and will not leave them behind. The Ministry will take every opportunity to assist this group to find jobs and build careers in this country.

Of the total sample of unemployed persons surveyed, one of the top reasons for leaving their last position was voluntary termination of their contract. Although these results are sobering, they highlight a need for us as a community to reinvent the way that we conduct our personal and professional lives. We can no longer just quit; instead we must re-commit!

We must continue to aim to be the best that we as a community can be. I urge you to take that chance and make any changes necessary to reinvent yourself into being a person who retains his job, works harder, and is punctual, consistent and reliable. Your efforts will be rewarded! As the Chief Fire Officer of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service Mr. Vincent Hollinsid and Commissioner of the Bermuda Police Service Mr. Michael Desilva and so many others in the public and private sectors can attest, you can start at the bottom and work your way to the top of your chosen career field.

We must also continue to teach the alphabet generation growing up on IPods, MP3 Players and X-Boxes, who will be building on the foundations of our labour force, those same values so that they too can have and show pride in themselves. Within our communities we need to revert back to the attitude of being our brother’s keeper. We cannot ignore our responsibilities and believe we will achieve success. We must develop a can do attitude and make ourselves marketable by training and retraining to stay competitive in the global marketplace.

The Department of Labour and Training will continue to lead the charge by expanding its Building the Employee of the Future Series to meet the needs of those who need assistance. On Thursday 28th January, the Department held the Building the Employee of the Future - Right Here, Right Now workshop which was a continuation of the Ministry’s successful Taking it to the People roadshow and Employee of the Future Forum.

Over 350 people attended the Right Here, Right Now workshop. More than 150 people arrived within the first hour! The participants were diverse in age and background and all were looking for an opportunity. To those that came out, please don’t give up, keep trying! Take your revised resumes and strengthened interview skills gained from the event and use them. If you need further assistance, stop by the Department of Labour and Training as the staff is there to assist you.

In March, the Department of Labour and Training will host a Career Expo and in April, the National Training Board will host the Reinvent Yourself workshop as a part of the implementation and roll-out of its new Apprenticeship Scheme.

The Reinvent Yourself workshop will target males between 16 – 24 years old to show this cohort that there are job opportunities available for them in the trades.

The PLP Government is committed to creating opportunities for Bermudians. That said, it's important to keep our unemployment rate in perspective. The global economic crisis is ravaging the labour market around the world. We're feeling the consequences here in Bermuda, but, it's important to note that our 4.5% unemployment rate remains among the lowest in the world. The unemployment rate in the United States is more than double ours at 9.7%. The unemployment rate in the United Kingdom is 7.8%. Canada is 8.4%. Germany is 8.3%. Australia is 5.7%. You get the picture.

That said, even one unemployed Bermudian is too many - and, that's why we're providing employment services to help the unemployed and also taking action to protect against harmful layoffs.

Download the Labour Force Survey.

As a percentage of GDP, Bermuda's long term debt remains among the lowest in the developed world. Minister Cox explains:

The actual amount of Bermuda’s long term debt amounts to about 11 per cent of GDP. This is manageable and sustainable for a small country with a GDP of an estimated $6 billion.

Other countries with which Bermuda is often compared have much higher debt/GDP ratios. In the Cayman Islands in June 2009, the debt/GDP ratio was 19.8 per cent of GDP. In Switzerland, it was 44.4 per cent in 2009, 71 per cent for the United Kingdom and 83.9 per cent for the United States.

There's more. Japan's debt/GDP ratio is 170 per cent, Belgium's is 84.6 per cent, Israel's is 80.6 per cent, Austria's is 59.10 percent, Aruba's is 46.3 per cent, the Netherlands' is 45.5 per cent. We could go on - but, you get the point. Bermuda remains among the most fiscally prudent nations in the world, and, our debt/GDP ratios remain low even as we cope with the worst international economic crisis since the Great Depression.

Minister Cox explains our fiscal prudence:

I rise this morning to reconfirm for Honourable Members and indeed for the general public that the public purse is in safe and prudent hands. Over the course of the last week or so, there has been a great debate in another place on the matter of Bermuda’s level of debt and indeed on related issues of public finance.

Some aspects of the debate have been informed and thoughtful. Other aspects of the debate have been alarmist and irresponsible given the weighty nature of the topic.

The result has been some disquiet, some confusion and unease in our community. It must not be left unaddressed.

Mr. Speaker, debt is a feature of household finance, business finance and indeed public finance. In all three spheres, debt is used to assist in the financing of assets that have a medium to long term life. Such assets add to greater convenience, comfort and well-being for households, a competitive edge and greater profit capacity for businesses, and enhancements to the delivery of public goods and services for governments.

Clearly, it is important that the level of debt is managed carefully and prudently. As a general principle, the level of debt should not exceed the capacity to repay it.

Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Finance has responsibility for the management of public debt in Bermuda. The Ministry’s prudent handling of Bermuda’s public debt has been reviewed by external, objective credit rating agencies such as Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. In each and every case, the score card has been at the high end of satisfactory.

Bermuda has an investment grade sovereign credit rating that means that lenders have a firm belief that the loans will be repaid when they fall due.

In these tough economic times, public sector spending helps to curb unemployment, create opportunities for our kids, care for our seniors and improve or transportation. Minister Cox explains:

Further, some of the participants in the debate seem to have forgotten what the public sector borrowing was for. As a general rule, Government borrows to help finance the development or acquisition of hard capital assets as an investment in the country’s physical and social infrastructure: facilities for our seniors, modern schools for our children, an internationally accredited airport, safe and suitable office buildings for public sector workers, a modern public transport system and so on.

Most recently, “The Approved Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure For The Year 2009/10”, debated and approved in this House, provided considerable detail of exactly what has been financed by borrowing in the last several years. The Capital Account Estimates in Schedule B of the Estimates Book provides a summary total of what had been spent for some 163 projects to the end of March 2008. In addition, it shows the Original and Revised Estimates for the projected spend in 2008/09 and the Estimate for 2009/10 for projects in the plan that continued in those subsequent years.

Mr. Speaker, I shall not burden Honourable Members with an exhaustive line by line recitation of the amounts spent on each project. Rather, I shall provide a summary of what these projects have cost in a few understandable groups and I shall confine myself to the totals for the cumulative period ending March 31, 2008.

Mr. Speaker, capital spending on education was the largest single category. $143.4 million dollars of borrowed funds was invested in the country’s school plant to make it safer for children and teachers, outfitted with modern equipment including playgrounds. Funds for CedarBridge Academy and the new Berkeley Institute are included in the total.

$28.2 million was borrowed to fund new facilities in the health sector including $23.8 million for the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility in St. George’s. Would anyone wish that this funding had not been provided?

Mr. Speaker, some $80.6 million was invested in airport works, and seaport infrastructure. A further $127 million was borrowed and invested in foreshore protection, the new Recycling Centre, refurbished ferry docks and public landings, major building upgrades, the Pembroke Marsh Development, the expansion of the Tynes Bay Waste Treatment Facility, and schools maintenance. The National Sports Centre and the acquisition of open spaces among other projects absorbed some $31 million.

Mr. Speaker, the total sum for all of the 160-plus projects amounted to $447.2 million. This is a partial accounting of where the borrowed funds have been invested. I have not delved into the details of capital acquisitions such as laboratory equipment, buses, ferries, office equipment and furniture which would complete the picture.

The PLP Government believes in making responsible investments in Bermuda and our people. The debate we're having over our healthy fiscal condition is fundamentally a debate between progressive and conservative governance. Progressive and labour governments believe in making responsible investments in people and infrastructure that benefit the many, and not just the few. The opposite perspective advocates for policies that cut investments that benefit the many in favour of policies that help the wealthy few. We will continue to be a government that makes responsible investments in our society and puts people first.

Today, Premier Ewart Brown announced an historic initiative to promote national service in Bermuda. This initiative is designed to empower our young people to improve our island home. Premier Ewart Brown introduces the historic programme:

This programme is designed to engage our young Bermudian men and women in positive and meaningful activity and is only one part of a raft of options developed to not only counter the feeling of entitlement currently held by some of our young people, but also address anti-social behavior and youth violence.

Before I go on, let me say that I am proud to acknowledge the many accomplishments and contributions that scores of our young people have made to Bermuda over recent years.

The National Service Programme will allow even more of our young adults to contribute to Bermuda’s national interest, personally and professionally. By sharing their acquired knowledge and talents with other younger Bermudians and by assisting our venerable seniors, the participants in the National Service Programme will be contributing to the development of Bermuda as a whole. Additionally, it will enable younger Bermudians to make sound career choices and enhance those skills required to make them undeniable assets to a broad range of employers.

The Premier goes on to provide details about the programme:

Individuals who can volunteer for national service will include male and female Bermudians between the ages of twenty four (24) and thirty (30) years. Those who volunteer will be required to provide sixteen hours of service per month for two consecutive years in order to complete the programme. Those who fall within the qualifying age and who are pursuing education abroad may serve upon completion of their studies, with a view to completing their national service before their 30th birthday.

Individuals who volunteer for national service will go through a screening process to ensure the safety and best interest of all participants of the service programme.

A Department for National Service would be the headquarters and place of register for the National Service Programme. This Department will work in conjunction with public schools, the Bermuda College, community centers, hospitals, the Center on Philanthropy, rehabilitation agencies, sports programmes, and other organizations that may provide outreach services to youth, including youth with disabilities. Volunteers will also serve our venerable seniors. Clearly, all proposed activities will be subject to the Department’s approval.

The Premier goes on to highlight possible volunteer activities as well as efforts to encourage individual, government, quango and private sector interests to participate.

Let me share with you some examples of possible national service activities. A programme participant could tutor in an educational programme, or provide health, legal, and financial advice. A participant may be involved in coaching youngsters. The possibilities are indeed limitless and we look forward to considering other ideas from the community as the service takes root and flourishes.

Government and Quango organizations will be encouraged to provide Internship programmes. In this way, our young adults can train and mentor younger Bermudians giving them an insight into available future careers.

This Government will also encourage the private sector to become a part of this national movement. Businesses will be asked to offer Internship programmes that will allow those who volunteer to gain their national service hours by training and mentoring younger Bermudians. This will enable the young to gain practical knowledge of the working world and be introduced to the way business drives Bermuda’s economy.

This Government believes no effort should go unnoticed. To reward young people who volunteer for the National Service
Programme for their efforts, and to encourage them to contribute to the on-going success of the programme, the Government proposes that incentives be rendered to participants during and after national service is completed. Such incentives may include free public transportation, or include participation in national service as one of the criteria preferred for attaining Government funding for further education. And as I outline our initial thinking on incentives, I invite the private sector to consider incentives they could offer; such as discount card packages from various retailers, or preferential lending rates.

Out of a commitment to transparency and desire for public involvement in the formation of the legislation, the PLP Government released a draft national service plan. Read it online, and, give us your feedback. The Premier explains:

Over the next several weeks, MR. SPEAKER, members of the Bermudian public will have the opportunity to view the draft National Service Plan. I invite my colleagues in this Honourable House to carefully read it and submit your views and comments on how it can be improved. The draft plan is available online at www.gov.bm and submissions can be sent by email to nationalservice@gov.bm. The deadline for submissions is 31st March 2010.

Finally, MR. SPEAKER, It is my hope that collectively we, the Government and the community, can work together to make this programme a success to the benefit of all our young people and indeed, for the future of our country.

We hope you'll submit your suggestions an help us improve this historic initiative.

Today, Premier Ewart Brown presented a new report detailing the impact global climate change will have on Bermuda, unless the international community takes action. Perhaps most alarming is the fact that up to 14% of Bermuda's land area could be at risk of flooding during high tides. Premier Brown:

Climate change threatens the basic elements of life for people around the world – access to water, food supplies, health and our use of our land and the natural environment. If current predictions are on target, it will also affect jobs and livelihoods.

The highlights of this important report for Bermuda include the following:

• Looking forward, up to 14% of Bermuda’s land area could be at risk of flooding during high tides;
• Increasing storm intensity threatens serious flooding, which will be exacerbated by sea level rise;
• There will be increased rainfall, more intense rainstorms, longer periods of drought and larger and more intense but less frequent tropical storms.

Such impacts threaten our:

• critical infrastructure including ports, the airport, roads and buildings, electricity and freshwater supply;
• community health and well-being;
• local agriculture and possibly fisheries; and
• our local habitats and wildlife species.

Bermuda’s challenge will be for our leaders and our residents to understand and accept the science that supports climate change, be aware of the threats of climate change to Bermuda and for us to come together and effectively plan for our future sustainability by identifying, agreeing and adopting the correct mitigation measures to offset the forecasted threats of this global phenomenon.

The Premier reiterated the call he made at the Copenhagen Summit for international action. Premier Brown noted the need for Bermuda to plan for eventualities and take the lead in the fight against global climate change by following the recommendations int he Sustainable Development Plan. Premier Brown:

You will be aware that Bermuda, as a small island nation, has not made a substantial contribution to the problem that the planet faces with Climate Change, as our greenhouse gas emissions are negligible in global terms. Additionally, Bermuda will not likely make a sizable contribution to the planet’s efforts to effectively plan for and address this subject. Nonetheless, the expected impact of climate change on our island home necessitates effective planning to address these threats to our sustainability...

Bermuda can set an example for other small islands with a coordinated and effective approach to addressing this issue. Such a coordinated approach has already been demonstrated in the compilation of the Sustainable Development Plan and I am confident that we can facilitate a nation-wide understanding of the issue and a comprehensive and realistic strategy that leads to a sustainable future for Bermuda.

Global climate change is real and the time for international action is now. The PLP Government takes this threat seriously and will continue our planning for the eventualities of climate change while simultaneously moving forward with green initiatives and pushing the international community to act.

You're cordially invited to jion Premier Ewart Brown, Minister El James and MPs Dale Butler, Alex Scott, and, invited guest, Mark Pettingill, for a special public meeting on public safety. Minister David Burch and representatives from the Bermuda Police Service and Crime Stoppers will give presentations. The event is tonight at 7 pm at St. Mary's Church Hall, Middle Road, Warwick. Come, listen to the presentations and have your questions answered!

Over the last few weeks, we've highlighted action that the PLP Government is taking to improve public safety and combat crime. We highlighted reforms to the criminal code, liquor license act and summary offences act that give the police more powers to bring criminals to justice. We highlighted preventative measures like an expanded Mirrors programme, new counseling services, a direct community outreach initiatives and homework help centres that are designed to create opportunity for our young people and steer them away form a life of crime. And, we highlighted services for victims and those who are impacted by crime to ensure that Bermudians can cope with the trauma of crime and violence.

Today, we're highlighting the formation of the Assertive Outreach Team by Mid Atlantic Wellness to cut down on repeat offenders by rehabilitating criminals. Health Minister Walter Roban explains:

Additionally, MWI will be setting up an Assertive Outreach Team with forensic capacity in the next fiscal year. The Assertive Outreach Team comprises professionals whose backgrounds and training include social work, rehabilitation, counseling, nursing and psychiatry. They work pro-actively with clients, assisting them to participate in and continue treatment, live independently and recover from disability.

The type of service they provide is long term, as the process of recovery takes many years. It will also be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This team will work closely with the Bermuda Department of Corrections and professionals from the probation service, with the goal to foster the resources necessary for clients to remain in the community and stop the ‘revolving’ door’ of patients requiring institutionalization.

People who commit crimes can be rehabilitated and become productive members of society. These services will help to promote rehabilitation and cut down on repeat offenders.

Minister Roban also highlighted a new partnership with Howard University to treat mental illness. Mental illness can contribute to crime, and, a clinical relationship with experts overseas will help to improve the quality of mental health treatment Bermudians receive. Minister Roban:

Just as we have driven clinical partnerships with East Coast Hospitals for acute health care at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, this Government has been keen to establish a clinical relationship with a world class mental health institution.

A collaboration has now been initiated between the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of Howard University in Washington, DC and the physicians at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, Bermuda.

The collaboration will allow an exchange of residents and other trainees. This association will also ensure that our community receives the best of mental health care.

As we've described in detail over the past two weeks, the PLP Government is taking action to improve public safety in Bermuda - but, we can't do it alone. We need you to do your part. If you know of someone who needs help, make sure they get help before the crime occurs. If you know of someone who committed a crime, call the anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-8477. We all have to do our part to build a safer Bermuda. We hope you'll join us in our cause.

Tomorrow, a delegation from Bermuda will travel to India to develop stronger economic ties with the fourth largest economy in the world. Premier Ewart Brown will lead the delegation which will travel to Mumbai, the commercial capital of India; Chennai, the commercial capital of South India; and the nation's capital, New Delhi. Joining the Premier will be Bermuda's Ministry of Finance TIEA Negotiating Team, Walter Lister, Chairman of WEDCO (West End Development COrporation) and Mr. Malcolm Moller of Appleby Global, representing Bermuda's international business sector.

The Premier noted the importance of the trip saying, "It makes eminent sense that Bermuda develop stronger ties to India with its huge population and rapidly growing economy." We wish the Premier and his delegation a successful trip!

Today, Minister El James confirmed that all public primary schools will be open for the 2010/2011 academic year. Minister James dispelled the rumours:

I have said several times since the media first reported on possible school closures that there are absolutely no plans to close any public primary schools in the coming year. There were never any plans to close public primary schools for the 2010/2011 school year, and I can assure all parents again that no public primary schools will be closing for the school year 2010/2011.

Registration for the 2010/2011 school year begins today, Wednesday, February 3rd and ends on Friday, February 5th. Registration takes place from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the school of enrollment. Enrollment forms are available at the schools, at the Ministry Headquarters at 14 Dundonald Street or online on the Ministry website: http://www.moed.bm

Everyone agrees we need to continue the education reforms we've started. The status quo just isn't acceptable. We need continue taking action to improve student performance and give our students more opportunities to excel. All reforms currently on the table are being considered in light of what's best for our students and their education. The needs of our students has always and will continue to be what guides reform.

Today, Minister David Burch opened a seminar at the BIU entitled The Migration Projection. Minister Burch reaffirmed the PLP Government's commitment to fair treatment of non-Bermudian workers. Minister Burch:

For the most part I believe non-Bermudian workers are being treated fairly during their employment in Bermuda. However, one case of abuse of workers is too many and when reported will be fully investigated and addressed.

When reports of exploitation and abuse of guest workers are received within our Ministry they are investigated by the Department of Labour and Training. We do not wish to see anybody Bermudian or non-Bermudian ill treated by their employer. I urge those who are being exploited or abused on their jobs to seek recourse through the Department of Labour and Training. Recently, I have noticed an increasing trend of abuse of workers generally and I wish to put all on notice that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.

Minister Burch went on to discuss an English proficiency requirement that helps to ensure that command of language is not exploited by employers to harm workers. Minister Burch:

In July 2008, I wrote to stakeholders to advise that the Ministry was looking to introduce a policy that would ensure that persons issued a work permit needed to be proficient in the English language. This is not an attempt to shut out workers from non-English speaking countries, but a means to assist those persons while they work in Bermuda. If they have a level of proficiency in English it decreases the chances of them being exploited by their employer because of their limited understanding of English.

Proficiency in English also provides the employer with a level of comfort that the worker they are bringing into an English speaking country will have the ability to function on their jobs and in the community...

I see this seminar as a worthwhile venture and trust that you will leave here with a better understanding of the migrate worker in Bermuda and globally. I trust that organizers have included as part of your work an opportunity to enjoy some of our Bermudian hospitality and libations.

On behalf of the Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, the Government and people of Bermuda, I wish you a most successful seminar.

While the PLP Government is a government that puts Bermuda first, we also embody the Bermudian ethic of welcoming our guests and treating them with kindness, respect, dignity and fairness.

Yesterday, Minister El James announced that the Education Ministry is throwing it's full support behind May's Catlin End-to-End Charity Walk.

According to organizers, the Catlin End-to-End began in 1987 as a wager among three friends - Paul Rowlerson, Jon Borrill and Clive Cotton - to walk from one end of the island to another. The event has grown into a national event involving more than 2,500 participants and 500 volunteers and raising more than $250,000 annually for charity.

This year's recipient charities include The Adult Education Centre; Alzheimer’s Family Support Group; Bermuda School of Music; Chewtick Foundation; The Family Centre; Greenrock; Keep Bermuda Beautiful; The Reading Clinic; Sandy’s 360 Foundation and Windreach.

Minister James explains his ministry's involvement:

The Ministry of Education is proud to be involved in this year’s Catlin End to End in more ways than one.

Our staff from the Department of Education and our students will have the chance to participate in the event and realize the health benefits of taking part.

Indeed, we are working to promote the same ideals as the End-to-End in our schools: health and fitness, community involvement and the spirit of giving to worthy local charities.

Concerning health and fitness, Our Sports and Health Education Officer and our Healthy Schools Committee have been working with the End to End committee to encourage students to participate.

And concerning community inclusiveness and the spirit of giving to local charities, this certainly fits with Government’s intention to introduce National Service.

And as was written in the throne speech – Martin Luther King once said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?”

Happily – Bermudians are generous when it comes to helping others. But we must ensure that this culture of giving remains strong from generation to generation.

In addition, funds raised during the event will, through the beneficiaries, end up providing valuable services to our young people.

The Ministry of Education is partnering with one of this year’s beneficiaries, the Family Centre, and HSBC Bank of Bermuda as we have established a three way partnership that makes it possible for a Family Centre counsellor to be present daily at TN Tatem Middle School.

The Family Centre counsellor works in partnership with student services to provide both preventive support to students and to accept referrals for students who require intensive counselling interventions.

Through that partnership, a variety of therapeutic and social skill building groups are also offered.

The Ministry of Education has also partnered with Family Centre to provide training for teachers from various schools in the area of positive behaviour management techniques.

So on behalf of the Government, and the Ministry of Education, and all those who will benefit from the Catlin-End-to-End, thank you organisers and participants – your efforts help to make Bermuda a better place for everyone.

To learn more and participate, visit bermudaendtoend.bm