The Bahamas government Tuesday welcomed the latest unemployment report indicating that more Bahamians are finding work and that the local economy is continuing to move in a positive direction.
The Bahamas National Statistical Institute said unemployment has declined to 9.3 per cent from 10.8 per cent and that 3,455 more people were working between April and June. In total, 218,620 Bahamians now have jobs almost 4,000 more than the last quarter.
Many of these new jobs came from construction, retail, hospitality, and community services. ‘This is the kind of growth people see every day when new buildings go up, hotels expand, and businesses get busier,’ a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister stated, adding that the report also shows ‘the number of people who had given up looking for work has fallen by 64 per cent.
‘More Bahamians feel hopeful again and are confident enough to start job searching,’ the statement said, adding that ‘this good news follows other positive signs about our economy. International credit agencies have improved their outlook for The Bahamas, large investments are happening across the islands, and major upgrades to airports, roads, and utilities are creating even more job opportunities’.
The Phillip Davis government said that across the country, it is pushing ahead with programmes focused on training, upskilling, small business support, and improvements to family island infrastructure.
‘These efforts are helping people find work and creating pathways for Bahamians to build a better future,’ the statement said, noting that ‘while today’s numbers are encouraging, the Government understands that many families are still facing challenges’ and that it remains ‘committed to helping Bahamians through cost-of-living pressures and making sure opportunity reaches every island and every community’.