Cutting Financial Assistance was just plain wrong

For generations, one of the hallmarks of being Bermudian, was to look out for the well-being of our neighbours. We helped each other to build our homes, our businesses and our community. We took in, fed and clothed our neighbourhood children and we shared what little we had with those in need.

Today, there is an attempt to change what it means to be Bermudian to one where those who need the least get the most and those most in need, get the least. 

One of the OBA’s first moves after breaking their promise on Term Limits, was to slash the funding for Child Day Care, Residential Treatment Services, Financial Assistance and Sport. At the time, we characterized this as anti-Bermudian, callous and lacking in forward thinking. Since then, the number of jobless Bermudians has soared and with no OBA plan to get our people back to work, many have been forced to turn to financial assistance.

With 2,000 forecasted job losses and signs that the OBA intends to force many Bermudian civil servants into unemployment, this decision is even more outrageous.

In their defence, some would describe this OBA decision as naïve. Perhaps they believed their own propaganda and felt that local businesses would begin putting Bermudians back to work once they took power. Instead, the private sector has let them down, sought to maximize their profits and continue to shove Bermudians onto the unemployment line.  

Some would describe this OBA decision as well-intentioned. Perhaps the OBA believed that to cut spending and reduce the debt, tough decisions had to be made; cutting Financial Assistance, as well as scholarships, civil servant salaries and higher vehicle licensing fees for seniors. All while doing little to create jobs, reduce the cost of living and finding hundreds of thousands of dollars to create consultancies for OBA insiders.

The impact of this decision goes beyond the recipients of financial assistance. It affects landlords who now are faced with tenants finding it harder and harder to pay their rent. It affects businesses that are now seeing their accounts receivable steadily rising.

The OBA have failed to be their neighbour’s keeper and are punishing Bermudians for losing their jobs during the worst global economic conditions in almost 75 years. The decision to cut funding for Financial Assistance was not “tough,” or “naïve.” It was wrong. 

Michael Weeks is PLP MP for Pembroke East Central.