Thomas C. Famous. Photo: Provided

Some commenters openly stated that the Bermuda Government was xenophobic and wanted to get rid of everyone ranging from chefs at local restaurants, masons and those involved in International Business (IB).

So, for clarity, let's have a few reality checks.

Facts over fiction

Number one fact, the Bermuda Government has never said they are going to kick out any guest workers. Those are the words of an irresponsible person and or those who wish to echo idle chatter.

Number two, the reality is that the hospitality industry, in particular, is most likely going to be slow to non-existent for the balance of 2020.

So, yes there will be some guest workers, with no work. Many of whom would, understandably, want to return to their home countries. However, the Catch 22, is that, barring direct charter flights to their countries, they have no way home presently.

Interestingly enough, Cayman Islands are in the exact same predicament as Bermuda and the Virgin Islands.

“The airlines have to be certain that people have onward booking. We’re speaking to the UK, we can try and get flexibility, but until people can show they have onward bookings and tickets to go somewhere else from London, and then there’s not a lot the UK can do, and the airlines as well. So, it just remains very challenging and we’ll have to look at this sort of case by case,”- Cayman Islands Governor Martyn Roper, Cayman Compass April 25

So, with those facts laid bare, people should stop pedaling falsehoods on social media.

Reality check

Equally, for those in the British Overseas Territories (BOTS) who are expecting a mass exodus of guest workers, there is a severe reality check that we must have as both individuals and as a region.
Let's ask ourselves one singular question:

Exactly how many of our BOT born and bred citizens or Belongers, are presently willing and able to do work in the following professions?:
● Auto Mechanics
● Auto body repair
● Construction
● HVAC
● Chefs
● Bakers
● Landscaping
● Nursing
● Software engineering
● Barbering
● Farming

The key words in this instance are technical ability.
Those professions listed above, are but some, I repeat, some, of the professions that will always be needed, recession or no recession.

Professions such as; nursing, landscaping, masonry and culinary arts are now majority non-Belonger staffed.

The list of reasons why this exists in the year 2020, is endless, be it; pay scales, to working conditions or hours, the reality is that Belongers are the minority in far too many skilled trades.

Yet, the numeric reality is that until and unless we have thousands of Belongers trained and willing to do those professions, in order for our region to function on a daily basis, we will be forever reliant on a certain number of guest workers.
Each of those professions require a number of years of theoretical and practical training in order to be qualified.

Retool now

Over the last month, approximately 11,000 persons filed for unemployment benefits in Bermuda. Many are Bermudians who have never had to depend on a handout in their entire lives.

Yet, the reality is for far too many years we, as a country and region, have turned our backs on the very trades that will always need hands-on employment that provides steady and reliable income.

We, as individuals and collectively, must be prepared to learn the skills needed to keep our islands and region running.
For those Belongers, who are willing to retool in order to become trained and qualified, in any given skilled trade, there are options available.

● For those Bermudians looking to retool, the Bermuda College offers a variety of courses and programmes. The Construction Association of Bermuda (C.O.A.B) also has training courses going.

● In both the Cayman Islands and the Virgin Islands, there are programmes available to those wishing to learn a trade.

● In the Cayman Islands, Commerce Minister Hon Joey Hew, has started a programme for those wishing to learn construction and Mr Michael Myles has put together a trade school by the name of ‘Inspire Cayman Training’ that offers a variety of trade skill training.

● In the Virgin Islands, there is the Government-run Vocational Training School in Baughers Bay.
Outside of those channels, there still exists a generation of skilled tradesmen that are willing to pass on their skills to others.

Be proactive

In closing, we must accept the following facts:
● Thousands may be unemployed for extended durations of time.
● The governments of the BOTs do not have endless supplies of money to give to the needy
● There will be no magic bullet shortcuts to our individual and collective economic recoveries.

So it is time for us to begin to chart new directions toward occupations, that are somewhat insulated from health pandemics and economic recessions.

Covid-19 has exposed not just health challenges but socio-economic challenges, due to lack of native-born skilled tradespersons.

It is up to us, collectively as Belongers, to not just see the negatives but look to the positives and address those challenges.