PLP rejects OBA plans
The Progressive Labour Party last night rejected economic recovery plans by the One Bermuda Alliance, saying they would “sell Bermuda out to foreign inetrests”.Describing the policies as the sameproposed by the former United Bermuda Party, a PLP statement said proposals to freeze the term limit policy fpr two years would cost Bermudians jobs.“If implemented, employers at all skill levels would no longer be incentivised to hire Bermudians,” the statement said.“So many of us have seen our resumes passed over not because of skill, but, because the bosses wanted their overseas man in the job. The OBA/UBP policy would mean more unemployed Bermudians and would cause many Bermudians to give up trying to even look for work.”“The PLP has already struck a balance between ensuring that we do not create a new class of long-term residents or a glass ceiling for Bermudians while welcoming international business,”the statement said.“The Party Leader has already signalled that in the next session of Parliament, there will be legislation that underscores our party’s commitment to those who invest in Bermuda.Unlike the OBA that have up to now spent most of its time criticizing the Government, our party has been hard at work on the initiatives that it committed to in the Throne Speech and in the Budget, and will not be deterred from its job of getting Bermudians back to work and the recovery of our economy to engage in fighting the OBA.”The statement said the policies outlined by the OBA were “exactly the same policies we’ve been hearing for years from the UBP”.“When you read their policies, it’s clear now, more than ever that the OBA is little more than a renamed UBP. They’re the same people. They’re the same backers. And, they’re selling the same tired old policies to sell Bermuda out to foreign interests.“The PLP believes in a balance. We value our guest workers and our international business partners. But, we also believe that we should ensure Bermudians obtain jobs that pay well. The PLP government welcomes, encourages and supports guest workers and investment in Bermuda, however we will never apologise for putting the needs of Bermudians first.”