Tuesday, January 7, 2020
EDITOR, The Tribune.
THE plastic ban implemented by this government needs to be changed. It seems that thought was not given to what would work best for the people of this land, especially those who are not rich. I voted for this government, but with each passing year I regret my decision. I notice that they are not in touch with the needs of the small man. So many people are doing their best just to make ends meet but this government does not seem to care about or notice that.
Before the hurricane, I read in the paper that the Minister of Finance had not included anything in the budget in regards to raises for unions. So many government workers have not had raises for years. Taxes are being increased but the government showed that they did not care by not giving any thought to allocating money for the various unions in the budget. All the finance minister seemed to care about was balancing the budget. How cold and unfeeling! Then came the hurricane and his budget was ruined. He needs to have a heart for people. The minister of education seems to only care about filling our schools with tablets and laptops when the main problem facing students today is the inability to read. He is not addressing the problem but only putting on an impressive show.
The Minister of National security was recently on the news talking about spending lots of money on drones to lower crime. Again, an expensive impressive sounding idea that will not fix the problem.
The ban on plastics was rushed and not properly thought out. I went to a restaurant and purchased grits in the new food containers. It quickly started to crumple and bend and lose its shape. Those containers are not for hot food and cannot take the weight of a full dinner. Bahamians need to protest that the government makes changes to this ban. Alternatives to those containers must be found. What about the small business person who cannot afford those containers?
No one in this country should be forced to Pay For A Bag. A customer that patronises a business is entitled to a bag. The government should give businesses the option of using biodegradable bags or cloth bags. Biodegradable plastics should be allowed as plastic bags are always needed. People use plastic bags to dispose of unsanitary items like diapers, etc. Also fish, crab and other items like meat need to be wrapped up properly before being disposed.
The packing boys in our food stores are being adversely affected as well. Many of them are the men of the house and help to pay bills with their earnings. Many of them buy school supplies and lunch with the money they earn. Food stores should insist that they are still allowed to pack the groceries no matter what kind of bag the customer prefers. You would be surprised how many of those young men may be faced with a choice of stealing food or going to bed hungry if they can no longer earn money honestly packing bags. One decision can have far reaching effects. I have been told that many people are packing their own bags now.
I purchased books from a bookstore and was told to carry them in my hand because they were not selling any bags except a cloth bag for $7.50. I refused to purchase that.
So many poor people go to the grocery store to buy monthly grocery which is already expensive with Vat added. Now they must pay a quarter for each bag?
What kind of government is this? Give stores the choice of using biodegradable bags or cloth bags. Stop trying to copy other countries and tweak the laws to help and make life easier for the people who voted for you. The Government should not support any establishment charging customers for bags.
Bahamians, please speak up. Too many people are suffering. Insist that the government make changes to this plastic ban! Allow biodegradable plastics that can be recycled or broken down in land fills!
IRATE BAHAMIAN
Nassau,
January 5, 2020.
Comments
birdiestrachan says...
Fifty miles off the Bahamas in Florida there are plastic bag. This FNM Government
continues to make life more difficult for the poor.
Where will the money come from to buy bags of any kind when the poor has so little.
They say take the eyes then help them by giving them sticks to walk with. that is doc.
A win for the rich a burden for the poor.
Posted 7 January 2020, 6:19 p.m. Suggest removal
ohdrap4 says...
The bags are the paper straws that broke the camel's back.!!!!
Together with the BPL increase will cause the FNM to lose next election.
Posted 7 January 2020, 7:21 p.m. Suggest removal
proudloudandfnm says...
It is a dumb rule. But then again it is typical of our government...
Posted 8 January 2020, 8:47 a.m. Suggest removal
joeblow says...
This problem has **nothing** to do with the government but the businesses themselves. All businesses should have made sure that their customers would not have been inconvenienced with this new law by choosing an alternative to allow customers to carry out goods they purchase. The option to have a reusable bag is at the customers discretion and should NOT have been imposed upon them by businesses.
Again, it was the businesses duty to ensure their customers were not inconvenienced by this new law, NOT the government!
Posted 8 January 2020, 9 a.m. Suggest removal
Dawes says...
In talking with some people involved in business they tell me they were not told about the $0.25 until late in the year, by which time they had worked out how much bags to have to get them to June 30th when they would have no more. In addition they were also promised by Government that the alternate bags would be duty free which has either not occurred or only just occurred which is too late for ordering purposes. Anyway in 6 months this will all be over and we can all find something else to complain about. Maybe by then Sands will have been able to change what foods are price controlled and we can complain that the unhealthy food is now more expensive.
Posted 8 January 2020, 9:17 a.m. Suggest removal
Sickened says...
Those business people are inept as this was first discussed at the end of 2018 - 2018!!!! How could they not know?
Posted 8 January 2020, 9:42 a.m. Suggest removal
Dawes says...
I was just pointing out they were not told about the $0.25 fee until much later in the game after they had worked out what was needed to get to June 30th when the ban comes into effect. Anyway like i said won't matter in a couple of months.
Posted 8 January 2020, 1:19 p.m. Suggest removal
themessenger says...
The penchant of some of my fellow Bahamians for fixating on the ridiculous continues to amaze me.
The same poor people the author and Birdie are whining about having to spend 25 cents on a plastic bag seem to have no problem spending more than ten dollars on a pack of cigarettes, twenty dollars for a bottle of rum or blowing an entire paycheck spinning in the webshop.
Storm in a teacup!
Posted 8 January 2020, 9:23 a.m. Suggest removal
Sickened says...
I have had bags in my trunk for over 5 years now and ALWAYS go into the supermarket with my own bags. Am I the only Bahamian who gives a crap? No. There are many of us that have been doing this for YEARS!
People complain about the 25c charge on the one hand but then say that the solution should have been to just ban them outright! What kind of sense is that? If they banned the bags outright then you would have to take your own bags to the store - why aren't you doing that now instead of paying 25c for a bag????? STUPID MORONS!!!!
We seriously have about 200,000 Bahamians who are totally useless to ANY society. Brain dead morons.
Posted 8 January 2020, 9:49 a.m. Suggest removal
Bobsyeruncle says...
Totally agree. I also keep shopping bags in my car (both at home and when I visit The Bahamas). Initially, I found it a major inconvenience when they banned plastic shopping bags where I live. I would forget to take them with me, or forget to put them back in my car after unpacking groceries. Now after unpacking, I hang them on the inside door knob and put them in my car next time I go out.
How did our moms ever survive without plastic grocery bags when we were kids? Maybe they had superpowers ?
Posted 8 January 2020, 5:30 p.m. Suggest removal
CatIslandBoy says...
Our people will whine about anything and everything. It must be a favorite Bahamian pastime.
Posted 8 January 2020, 11:14 a.m. Suggest removal
thephoenix562 says...
That what we do best complain,complain.I used to see people from years ago with their own bags .I thought it was funny.not any more.The food stores had paper bags before whats the problem now?Back to paper bags, big deal.
Posted 8 January 2020, 12:39 p.m. Suggest removal
Well_mudda_take_sic says...
Hey Ditz, those paper bags come from what were once oxygen producing trees. Like most Bahamians, you're in need of a "green" education.
Posted 10 January 2020, 10:04 p.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
Buy a plastic bag for 25 cents ....... renewable bag for $3.00 ....... crocus bag for $8.00 ....... or straw bag for $20.00 ................ TAKE YOUR PICK.
Posted 10 January 2020, 10:01 a.m. Suggest removal
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