Parliamentarians sparred over the country's controversial immigration policy in the House of Assembly yesterday, with the sharpest words arising during debate on a possible crackdown on foreigners in the financial services sector. Dr. Hubert Minnis, leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), claimed he had met with senior personnel in the banking sector who were "afraid" following last week's confrontation on Paradise Island. He said aggressive tactics by the government are now creating a fallout across other industries, which may compromise hundreds of jobs.
"Senior individuals in the banking sector as far as Switzerland are having discussions about moving certain sectors of the banking system from The Bahamas because people are fearful similar incidents may happen to them," Minnis announced in the House of Assembly. The comments sparked outrage from at least two Cabinet ministers. Ryan Pinder, the minister of financial services, labeled the comments as "dangerous" and "unpatriotic". Fred Mitchell, the minister of foreign affairs, insisted that financial services is not under threat.
He said suggestions that the industry was scared of a foreign worker crackdown are a "figment of imagination in the press". Turning to last week's incident at Atlantis, when a U.S. sea lion trainer was temporarily detained by immigration officials, Mitchell said the "public war" between government and the private sector is detrimental to the county. He blamed certain members of the business community for creating the air of controversy. "I can't understand why a company would put information in the public domain about something that allegedly happened on their premises which spreads panic and fear," he said.
Mitchell was referring to George Markantonis, the president and managing director at Atlantis, who exclusively told Guardian Business that the mega resort is "extremely upset" with the Ministry of Immigration. According to resort workers, the U.S. citizen had worked at the resort for five years. Her permit, expired since February, was still under review and appeal by the government. Immigration officials showed up at Atlantis unannounced and pulled the U.S. citizen out of the water during a sea lion interaction in plain view of tourists.
Since then, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation has hotly criticized the actions of government, insisting the aggressive immigration policies are hurting an economy heavily dependent on foreign investment and labor. In the House of Assembly yesterday, Minnis insisted that a poor educational system in The Bahamas is to blame for the prevalence of foreign labor.
"If we are placed in a situation where our employability and competitiveness is compromised or affected, than that breeds an excess in work permits, it breeds us being marginalized and displaced in our own country," he explained. "This will result in more foreigners obtaining the best possible jobs in The Bahamas." Guardian Business understands that the Bahamas Financial Services Board and Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association have met with the Chamber to approach Mitchell once again with an united voice.
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