Would you invest millions in a resort, when you couldn't even have your own people running the place? No? Neither would most of these foreign investors.
I agree that there are lots of jobs that require basic skills and education that should absolutely NOT go to foreigners.
But the problem is that we have an economy that is largely driven by tourism. The only way to get these tourists to come here is to offer them a "world class" resort experience. And to do that we have to let these resorts bring in world class employees for certain jobs. If Atlantis had to remove all foreigners from the payroll, it would be no time before the quality of service suffered and it would soon be empty. And then where would we be? Thousands of locals would be out of a job.
It's even worse for the smaller resort destinations, where, without a few key people with the proper skills and experience, the resort will stagnate instead of flourish.
Take a look at any job listing site and search for "manager" or "director" level jobs. They want very specific job skills and many years of experience along with the proper education. It just isn't practical to think that an understudy could be trained to do one of these jobs.
Allow these tourist based companies to bring in the best people for the job and everything else will take care of itself. Resorts will expand and generate more and more new job for Bahamians.
Making the work permit process more difficult doesn't help anyone and it will cost the government millions each year in permit fees. Let's remember, those fees generate 50 million dollars each year. Where will that money come from, if we eliminate work permits? The answer is easy - our pockets
jj says...
But those upper level jobs don't end up going to locals after 5 years, the company just brings in another foreigner to do it.
On Gibson to employers: 'Justify every work permit'
Posted 13 June 2012, 2:19 p.m. Suggest removal
jj says...
Would you invest millions in a resort, when you couldn't even have your own people running the place? No? Neither would most of these foreign investors.
On Gibson to employers: 'Justify every work permit'
Posted 13 June 2012, 2:13 p.m. Suggest removal
jj says...
How long would it take to train someone to run a major hotel and resort? 10 years, 15 years?
On Gibson to employers: 'Justify every work permit'
Posted 13 June 2012, 2:10 p.m. Suggest removal
jj says...
I agree that there are lots of jobs that require basic skills and education that should absolutely NOT go to foreigners.
But the problem is that we have an economy that is largely driven by tourism. The only way to get these tourists to come here is to offer them a "world class" resort experience. And to do that we have to let these resorts bring in world class employees for certain jobs. If Atlantis had to remove all foreigners from the payroll, it would be no time before the quality of service suffered and it would soon be empty. And then where would we be? Thousands of locals would be out of a job.
It's even worse for the smaller resort destinations, where, without a few key people with the proper skills and experience, the resort will stagnate instead of flourish.
Take a look at any job listing site and search for "manager" or "director" level jobs. They want very specific job skills and many years of experience along with the proper education. It just isn't practical to think that an understudy could be trained to do one of these jobs.
Allow these tourist based companies to bring in the best people for the job and everything else will take care of itself. Resorts will expand and generate more and more new job for Bahamians.
Making the work permit process more difficult doesn't help anyone and it will cost the government millions each year in permit fees. Let's remember, those fees generate 50 million dollars each year. Where will that money come from, if we eliminate work permits? The answer is easy - our pockets
On Gibson to employers: 'Justify every work permit'
Posted 13 June 2012, 2:08 p.m. Suggest removal