September 8th is D-Day for Baha Mar when parliamentarians will debate and vote on whether to approve 4,920 work permits for Chinese labour to build the $2.6 billion Cable Beach resort complex. The investment is backed by a loan from the Export-Import Bank of China. The resort will be constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation and the request for the permits comes from the People’s Republic of China.
Legislators are caught on a cleft stick with this one — a case of be damned if you do, or damned if you don’t.
Bahamians have always been against foreign labour to the point that even the unskilled believe that as long as they are Bahamians – regardless of their lack of ability – they should get all jobs. However, today the economic situation is different. The construction business is down, Bahamians are desperate for work.
This is the issue. When September 8th comes we hope that both sides stay focused. Regardless of whether the Christie Opposition tries to muddy the waters with red herrings, sits mute, or stays away, the position they take will be judged on that momentous day.
