How to unite the two Bermudas that divide our country

Over the past year, you may have heard the PLP often talk about the need to break down the divide between the “two Bermudas”. 

Today, I’d like to take this opportunity to explain a little bit about why Bermuda works best when Bermudians are put first.

When we talk about two Bermudas we are referring to:

• The mindset that says there is one set of rules for a few and another set of rules for everyone else. 

•  When who you know, or the colour of your skin, has higher value than what you know.

•  When there is one set of wages for one group of people, and another pay scale for everyone else, despite equal or even superior qualifications and experience. 

•  When some of us are unable to earn a living wage, and are living from hand to mouth and paycheck to paycheck with no chance of advancement. No matter how hard or long we work.

•  When the full weight of the law is applied to some. While others get away scot-free.

We often say that our people are our greatest resource. 

However as long as some are driven by a mindset that says elevate a few and leave everyone else behind, then we are neglecting our greatest resource.

To address this divide, we must first look at helping our people to make better life choices.  

From taking advantage of the educational and training options available, to family planning and increased savings and investments.

We must insure that we invest in our people from the cradle to maturity, insuring that they have the skills, resources and opportunities to avoid creating self-inflicted obstacles and impediments.

Next, we must examine the structural impediments that are creating two Bermudas. 

This starts with education. 

With new leadership comes a new approach and a new way of doing things and real transformational reform of education is at the top of the PLP’s
agenda. 

For too long there have been issues of wage equity, exploitation of foreign labour and discrimination against Bermudians in the private sector.  

As a start the PLP proposes:

•  Requiring all businesses to include the salary range in job advertisements to minimize opportunities for wage disparities based on race, gender or sexual orientation.

• Introducing tougher penalties for violation of the Human Rights Act, including a provision to name and shame.

•  Increasing penalties for Immigration and work permit violations.

• Strengthening laws and policies to protect work permit holders from intimidation and exploitation

• Instituting Human Rights Protection for our seniors in the workplace

Many of us have been blessed with opportunities that our parents and grandparents were denied such as:

• Attending University

• Home ownership 

• Career advancement 

Though organizations such as the unions, friendly societies, PTAs and the PLP, much has improved but breaking down the barriers between the two Bermudas is the next necessary step in the positive development of our country.

The PLP believes in a Bermuda where Bermudians come first in opportunities. We will never be satisfied as long as injustice, inequity and the opportunity for each of us to reach our full potential is restricted.  

Bermudians come first in our vision, first in our plan and will be the first to benefit regardless of what Parish we live in, which church we attend, or
whatever skin tone one may be. 

We will continue to work with all Bermudians who want to make this vision of Bermuda a reality. 

Michael Weeks is a PLP MP and Shadow Minister for Youth, Sport, Community and Cultural Development .