Prime Minister Philip ‘Courageous’ Davis throughout a PLP rally at Windsor Park on July 28, 2025. Images Nikia Charlton
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Workers Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.web
PRIME Minister Philip “Courageous” Davis has acknowledged an uptick in authorized migration to handle a rising labour scarcity within the Bahamian building sector, citing a scarcity of expert native staff to satisfy rising demand.
Talking at a Progressive Liberal Get together (PLP) occasion at Windsor Park final evening, Mr Davis emphasised that whereas the development increase continues throughout the nation, builders should adhere strictly to immigration legal guidelines. He warned that each one overseas labourers should possess legitimate work permits and be supplied with acceptable housing.
“There’s extra building occurring in The Bahamas than ever earlier than,” he stated. “Lodges and developments are rising from the bottom up and with that comes actual strain of discovering sufficient staff. In the meanwhile, there are merely not sufficient expert Bahamian staff proper now to fill their building jobs and even the Bahamas Development Affiliation stated the identical factor.
“Sure, there was a rise in authorized migration to satisfy that demand, however I wish to put each building firm and developer on discover tonight. If you’re bringing individuals into work, they higher have a legitimate work allow they usually will need to have respectable housing. This ain’t no free for all.”
He additionally directed a stern warning at landowners who allow unlawful shanty cities, stressing that present legal guidelines will likely be enforced. “We’re going to guard the dignity of Bahamian communities and we’re going to do it whereas creating the extra expert labour pressure that we want,” he stated.
These feedback adopted criticism from Free Nationwide Motion (FNM) chief Michael Pintard, who accused the federal government of overseeing a “damaged, politicised and corrupt” immigration system. In response, Mr Davis defended his administration’s insurance policies, affirming its dedication to regulation and order. “It is a nation of order,” he acknowledged, including that legal guidelines are being enforced “pretty, firmly, and with out apology”.
Mr Davis confused that overseas staff should practice Bahamians to finally take over their roles. Employers are anticipated to actively put money into Bahamian growth and promotion.
To help this aim, the Prime Minister introduced plans to collaborate with the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) and the Ministry of Training to ascertain a brand new BTVI campus in New Windfall. The campus will characteristic up to date infrastructure, a contemporary curriculum, and a nationwide concentrate on getting ready Bahamians for high-paying technical jobs.
Mr Davis additionally addressed considerations in regards to the upcoming introduction of biometric voter ID playing cards. Regardless of criticism from FNM deputy chief Shanendon Cartwright, who instructed the method is being rushed, Mr Davis stated the FNM handed the related laws in 2020 however didn’t implement it. He stated his administration is solely finishing what was began.
“Nobody is being erased. Nobody is being ignored,” he assured voters. “If you would like your new card, one that matches in your pockets and doesn’t should be hidden beneath your mattress or in a zipper up bag, go get a card. Should you don’t need it, that’s positive, however don’t let anybody misinform you.”
He concluded: “Nobody is taking away your proper to vote. The PLP protects voting rights. We don’t play video games with democracy. We the PLP, fought exhausting so that you can have that proper to vote.”
