New Cabinet sworn in: pledge to take pay cut
Premier Craig Cannonier tonight unveiled his Cabinet team — and all of them immediately pledged to take a ten percent pay cut.They were sworn in at Government House by Governor George Fergusson, but there was no PLP member, as they refused, citing party policy. Premier Cannonier was sworn in on Tuesday,Leah scott had a little sob before swearing her oath and was comforted by the Governor.Nalton Brangman is a senator and Minister of EducationLeah scott is the Minister without PortfolioPat Gordon Pamplin is the Minister of Health and SeniorsMike Fahy is a senator and Minister of Home AffairsWayne Scott is the Minister of Community and Cultural DevelopmentGrant Gibbons is the new Minister of Economic DevelopmentMichael Dunkley is the new Minister of Public SafetySylvan Richards is the Minister of Environment and PlanningBob Richards is the new Finance MinisterTrevor Moniz is the new Public Works MinisterMark Pettingill is the new Minister of Legal affairs and Attorney GeneralShawn Crockwell is the new Tourism Development and Transport MinisterAfter the swearing-in, The Premier said in a speech:"Your Excellency, colleagues, family members, friends and fellow Bermudians, I am proud to be standing here today with the first Cabinet of Bermuda’s first OBA Government."A team of working men and women, fresh faces, experienced hands, all dedicated to making this Island work better for the people of this country."A team that has come together from all backgrounds, all walks of life,to be a public service government, getting things done, putting people first."I have spent the past two and a half days talking with each new minister and I can say that they are fired up and ready to get down to the people’s business."Our primary focus is to get our economy growing again, creating the conditions for new jobs and opportunity… creating conditions to help people meet their daily needs; to ease the pressures they face."The work ahead will not be easy, but we will get the job done."One of my Government’s goals is to change the way we conduct politics, to bring forward a new emphasis on cooperation and collaboration."In keeping with this plan, I extended an invitation to a PLP MP to join the Cabinet but they declined, citing a party position to not accept such an offer at this time."We will continue to push forward with plans to grow cooperation and collaboration amongst the elected leaders of the country."By creating opportunities for joint efforts in our parliamentary committees and by inviting parliamentarians from all parties to work on major policy issues of the day."I am very hopeful for progress in this area because it is the right thing to do – the more we work together, the more we take advantage of our collective strength, the more we will find solutions that work for all of Bermuda."Another important goal for the Government is to close the gap that has grown between government and the people."In keeping with this plan, our Cabinet Ministers will take a ten percent pay cut effective immediately.The people of this country are going through very tough times, and it is essential they know that their elected representatives are with them."We cannot expect Bermudians to tighten their belts without their leaders doing the same. Sacrifice must be shared. Tomorrow, I will convene our first formal meeting of my Cabinet team. We are full of confidence, ready to do good for the people; ready to take this Island forward to a new day."Tonight Keith Jensen, the President of the Bermuda Employers Council issued a statement on the new OBA Government.It said: "On behalf of our 300 members representing all sectors of the economy, we congratulate the One Bermuda Alliance on becoming the new Government and we extend our collective hands to assist on growing employment in Bermuda."We support the new Government's intention to form a Tripartite Economic Advisory Council. Involving the union and employer representatives to come to grips with our prolonged economic problems, declining real income while carving a road to recovery, can only benefit the Island."We support the new Government's initiative to suspend Work Permit Term Limits. At considerable expense, the BEC, ABIC and BHA sought local and international legal advice shared with the previous Government, which stated that Bermuda's laws are robust to protect Bermudian jobs and deal with long-term residency."Therefore, Bermudian interests will be protected and the Island can avoid the negative impact of the current Term Limit policy on our ability to compete internationally."We will be pleased to be part of the advisory and consultative process on employment matters with the new Ministers, as we worked well with the former Ministers, responsible for the economy, economic development, labour relations, work permit policies, training, education, human rights, safety/health and generally on other matters affecting employment."The BEC Board of Governors believes that Bermuda can rebuild business confidence, compete internationally and attract new investment with swift Government action on economic priorities that will in turn drive employment. We are willing to help the new Government re-establish credibility and professionalism in the eyes of the world as a leading and proactive international business centre. Building a future includes a foundation of positive labour relations, respect for the law and resolving disputes without turmoil in our fragile economy."