Unemployed Bermudians' Fury as new jobs are found for Uyghurs

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from the beginning

Two-thirds of those people have not found a new job, while one-third of people questioned said they were financially worse off than last year.

Opposition leader Kim Swan yesterday said it was "startling" that two-thirds of those who lost a job could not find a new one.

"That is tragic and socially unhealthy,

Bermudians vented their fury at the speed at which new jobs were found for the Uyghurs this week after they were made redundant from their posts at Port Royal golf course.

With the effects of the recession biting and unemployment rates among locals increasing, charity was in short supply on blogs and talk shows.

The four men spent more than seven years imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay without being charged before being invited here as ‘guest workers’ by Premier Dr. Ewart Brown last year.

Their status is still unresolved, they cannot leave Bermuda and they are dependent on the Government to find them work.

Despite that, many Bermudians are furious that Dr. Brown and Immigration Minister Colonel David Burch helped them find another job.

Legacy

“Unbelieveable!!! I hope all out of work Bermudians march for this!!! Totally unfair!” wrote Linda Hines on the Bermuda Sun’s Facebook page.

Another poster, Khali Shakir, added: “We’re doing ourselves proud for the attention of the world stage! Forget about being Bermudian and out of work! A great agenda item for Dr. Brown’s LEGACY!”

Dr. Brown would not comment on the backlash yesterday or say where the Uyghurs would be working.

He said in a statement on Wednesday: “We are pleased to announce that the Uyghurs have secured employment in the private sector. 

“Since the employment is in the private sector we shall not release the name of the employer.”

The Uyghurs were unavailable for comment yesterday and it is unclear if they have been told where they will work.

Another poster on the Bermuda Sun’s website, Justin Smith, said Government priorities are wrong.

He wrote: “Guess you gotta be in with a politician or two to get employment in this market.

“To think I actually believed Dr. Brown when he stated that Bermuda and her people are his foremost priorities.

“Tell that to the Bermudians who have been made redundant during the crisis and haven’t been able to secure alternative employment since. There are a hell of a lot more than four I can tell you that!!”

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letter to editor Jan 13-2011 ALMOST HOMELESS IN PARADISE

What’s the plan?

January 10, 2011

Dear Sir,

I read with dismay in today’s paper the claim that 3,000 employers have lost their jobs over the past two years. Many more can follow in 2011. These facts were supplied by BEC, but I would think that there are several hundreds more that have not registered their loss of work. The public need to know how many foreigners are still employed while the Bermudians go with out the daily sustenance in their own country. Can Government provide that information?

The number of people (including me) that have listed their homes for sale or rent, via your newspaper, Bermuda Sun, Emoo, Sun Shopper and other internet sites is staggering! There is a saturation of homes for sale or rent in this country. We are hardworking Bermudians who wanted a “piece of the Bermudian Dream”.

Seeking help in a time of financial crisis is hopeless via the Bermuda Government’s Social Assistance Department. I personally went to seek help and was told if you have more than $3,000 in the bank you do not qualify for assistance. I kept paying my mortgage until there was nothing left!

In Bermuda one mortgage payment can completely wipe out your savings if you don’t work. Do the Banks understand that? No! They just want their money! Forget about the need to pay medical insurance, food and other important things, just to live! What are Government and the Banks doing to help this situation?

Will the Banks drag us through the courts? We have no assurance. What are they going to do with all those homes that are up for sale? No one is buying and the banks seem not to be lending without a down payment. Madam Premier is there a stimulus package or plan to get Bermudians back to work so they can save their homes? We need help. Bermuda suffers in the long run!

ALMOST HOMELESS IN PARADISE

Sandys