Increasing numbers of people are reporting they’ve been unemployed a long time, according to retail boss Kristi Grayston.As Government continues to refuse to provide unemployment figures, Ms Grayston said anecdotal evidence suggests the tally is continuing to grow.“When we advertise to hire, we certainly see a larger number of responses. Every single time since last year, people are telling us they have been unemployed for a long time,” the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce’s retail division told The Royal Gazette.She was reacting to a poll appearing to indicate at least 4,000 people lost their job in the past 12 months, with only a quarter of those finding re-employment.And Ms Grayston said people who have kept their jobs are suffering too.“Retailers are trying to cut back without letting people go, so everyone is having their overtime cut. Things are tough out there,” she said. “Government needs to make sure they are advertising all the positions, I’m not sure they’re doing that at the moment. “I think Bermudians also need to be watchful and mindful and support each other, support local business.“It’s very easy to get things done overseas, but we need to remember when we do that the money is going out of the Country.”Bermuda Employers’ Council and the Opposition have been calling for Government to provide up-to-date employment figures, claiming more people are hurting than is being made out.BEC estimates 3,000 jobs were lost in 2009 and 2010; a survey from Mindmaps released last week showed 12 percent of 402 residents had become unemployed in the past 12 months. Premier Paula Cox has said the unemployment rate is five percent, but Government has said it cannot produce any figures as it awaits the results of the 2010 Census.The poll also showed just five percent of voters are confident Bermuda’s economy is heading in the right direction. Economist Robert Stewart responded: “There is nothing in your research that surprises me. When there is rampant Government spending, insane policies like the six-year work permit rule, and an incompetent Department of Tourism (and Education), it should not be a surprise to learn that the economy goes off track.“Government cannot manage the economy but as sure as death it can ruin it by acting foolishly.“Those who are unemployed and facing financial difficulty, have my sympathy but the blame rests squarely on the shoulders of the PLP Government for pursuing ruinous financial policies.“One only hopes that Government learns the hard way although the costs are immediately borne by the poor unfortunates who are out of a job.”The poll, carried out between March 29 and April 8, has a margin of error of 4.9 percent.Useful websites: www.bermudacommerce.com