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Campbell hits back at Davis on unemployment programme

Wed, Jun 2nd 2021, 05:48 PM
Politics Tribune Stories

SOCIAL Services Minister Frankie Campbell yesterday hit out at recent comments made by opposition leader Phillip "Brave" Davis over the government's decision to end its unemployment assistance programme in September.

Mr Campbell said the Minnis administration has shown throughout the pandemic that it will continue to adapt to changing situations and help those who need help.
#Last week, State Minister of Finance Kwasi Thompson revealed the government has budgeted for the extension of unemployment benefits until September.
#He explained officials are now shifting their focus and trying to find ways to create employment instead of continuing to fund its COVID relief initiatives.
#However, Mr Davis told a local daily he didn’t believe the Minnis administration should bring its unemployment assistance programme to an end given the current economic climate and said he was of the view that the initiative should be constantly assessed instead.
#Responding to the remarks yesterday, Mr Campbell told reporters: “If Brave Davis and the PLP was paying attention, they would’ve seen what we said earlier, we had dates that were set and on arrival of those dates, we revisited, we reassessed and we made some adjustments so if he was paying attention, he would know that our track record is such that we will adjust as necessary.”
#According to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, $118m has been spent in government funded unemployment assistance since the pandemic, including direct cash for unemployed and self-employed Bahamians.
#Those still needing assistance when the programme ends come September will be helped by the Ministry of Social Services, Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson told reporters last week.
#He said: “If come September those persons are still unemployed, the plan is to transition them off to a Social Services programme.”
#Asked if his ministry is prepared to possibly deal with an influx of clients when the time comes, Mr Campbell said officials will adapt as necessary and overcome whatever obstacle that may come their way.

Mr Campbell said the Minnis administration has shown throughout the pandemic that it will continue to adapt to changing situations and help those who need help.

Last week, State Minister of Finance Kwasi Thompson revealed the government has budgeted for the extension of unemployment benefits until September.

He explained officials are now shifting their focus and trying to find ways to create employment instead of continuing to fund its COVID relief initiatives.

However, Mr Davis told a local daily he didn’t believe the Minnis administration should bring its unemployment assistance programme to an end given the current economic climate and said he was of the view that the initiative should be constantly assessed instead.

Responding to the remarks yesterday, Mr Campbell told reporters: “If Brave Davis and the PLP was paying attention, they would’ve seen what we said earlier, we had dates that were set and on arrival of those dates, we revisited, we reassessed and we made some adjustments so if he was paying attention, he would know that our track record is such that we will adjust as necessary.”

According to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, $118m has been spent in government funded unemployment assistance since the pandemic, including direct cash for unemployed and self-employed Bahamians.

Those still needing assistance when the programme ends come September will be helped by the Ministry of Social Services, Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson told reporters last week.

He said: “If come September those persons are still unemployed, the plan is to transition them off to a Social Services programme.”

Asked if his ministry is prepared to possibly deal with an influx of clients when the time comes, Mr Campbell said officials will adapt as necessary and overcome whatever obstacle that may come their way.

 

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