The Progressive Labour Party today touted its record on providing social benefits to people who are less well-off — but failed to provide details of what it will do to boost the economy and create more jobs should it win the General Election next month.

At a press conference this morning, junior finance minister Jaché Adams, Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, and the Reverend Emily Gail Dill, the PLP candidate for Sandys North, all argued that the party had created a fairer Bermuda.

It was claimed that the One Bermuda Alliance was only interested in serving the privileged few.

Mr Adams said that the Government had created a society in which families “thrive”.

He said: “At the upcoming election we stand at a crossroads. We face a fundamental question.

“Will we continue to support a Government that invests in our families, creating a fairer Bermuda for us all or will we go back to the failed policies of the past, of the former Government that placed the needs of the privileged before the needs of the many?

“Since 2017 we have fought tirelessly to uplift families because we believe in a core principle that when families thrive, our entire country thrives.”

Mr Adams went on to say that the PLP had expanded access to affordable childcare for 100 families, built more than 70 affordable homes, extended maternity leave while introducing paternity leave, and increased pensions and financial assistance.

He concluded: “That is what progress looks like.

“Bermuda, we believe in a fairer Bermuda for us all. Let’s keep building a Bermuda that works for all of us. Let’s keep fighting for progress, for fairness and for our families.”

Mr Hayward said that the party had been “unwavering” in its support of workers.

He said: “Our mission is clear — to provide social protections for those in need, to advance Bermuda’s economic growth, to support job seekers, and to ensure fair treatment in the workplace.”

Mr Hayward then listed the PLP’s record of accomplishments, including the introduction of a minimum wage, increased severance pay packages and payroll tax reductions.

He added: “This is in stark contrast to the One Bermuda Alliance, who waged a war with Bermuda’s workers with austerity measures.

“Bermuda, let’s choose progress, unity, and fairness for Bermudian workers. Together we can keep moving forward and ensure that every worker gets the respect, support and opportunities they deserve.”

Dr Dill focused on the role the Government played in improving the lives of women, through increased maternity leave and stiffer penalties for sex offenders.

She said: “The advancement of women has helped to create a more equitable society, bringing awareness to issues that impact our island home.

”When women rise, Bermuda rises. Under the Progressive Labour Party, we have made real, meaningful progress to support and empower the women of Bermuda.“

When asked, Mr Hayward would not be drawn on what a PLP administration would do to address increasing inflation and job creation if re-elected.

Concerning the rising cost of living, he said: “The high cost of living remains a reality within our society, but the PLP has done much to abate the pressure felt by families and others in the community by doing a number of measures.”

Mr Hayward claimed that payroll tax reductions had enabled residents “to continue to enjoy a high quality of life”.

He added: “But to be clear, the cost of living is a global challenge.

“It is not unique to Bermuda, but our response to that challenge is something that we should applaud. It is a challenge that we will continue to work to address.”

Mr Hayward was asked what steps the Government had taken — and will take — to increase the working population by 8,000. Mr Hayward had set that goal in 2022, saying at the time that it was hoped the target would be reached within five years.

He conceded last October that the target was ambitious.

In response, Mr Hayward referred to the Government’s Economic Development Strategy, which was launched in 2023, and was “specifically designed to create economic activity across multiple industrial areas”.

He added that the opening of the Fairmont Southampton hotel — scheduled for 2026 — will create more than 700 jobs.

Mr Hayward said: “We can clearly see where we have the ability in our economy to create jobs and will continue down the path and the trajectory that we’re on of creating jobs year after year.”

The minister denied that increased social benefits and employee rights introduced under the PLP had stifled business growth.

He said: “There is a thought process that believes that if you improve the quality of life and the workplace benefits of employees, those employees are happier employees and more productive employees.”

Both Mr Hayward and Mr Adams defended the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan — a raft of 31 items launched in March 2021 to power the island out of recession after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Hayward said more than 80 per cent had been successfully completed.

He said: “There are only a handful of items left that we were unable to successfully complete.

“It cannot be a complete failure when the economy has turned around since the pandemic. The plan was designed to ensure that we had economic rebound after the pandemic and our economy has rebounded.”

Questioned about vertical farming and casinos — one of four high-priority initiatives — Mr Adams said plans for a vertical farming industry were still moving ahead.

He added: “It is something that is being worked on and being advanced. Discussions are still being had. We are proud of the progress that we’ve made this far.

“It is still a part of the Economic Recovery Plan, it is still one of the priority items that you mentioned and it is still something that we continue to focus on.”