The ongoing problem with the expatriate population has more to do with the amount of access they have to a lifestyle that evades Bahamians who are just as or more qualified than they are, more so than the apparent topical concerns we point fingers at. Many of these persons who have come here on contracts or as consultants have found a way to “jump ship” and establish bulwarks for themselves, but this “establishing” is also a roadblock for those who are asked to “Believe in the Bahamas”.
The recent incident with the UBS executive may be an indicator that not even the Immigration Department know who is here legally, and the reality that persons of lighter hue and straighter hair have not had to labour under the same scrutiny as our darker, curly-hair brothers has not helped to remedy the situation at all.
I have empathy for the UBS official, but incidents of this nature could be avoided if the Department of Immigration and the relevant authorities are allowed to do their jobs, without fear or favour. If I have to be fingerprinted each time I leave this country, should there be exclusions for others who come into this country and carry on like perpetual tourists for however long they seek to stay here? Not to mention the additional well known practice of them hiring their friends from abroad and adding to the unemployment figures . However, what we are experiencing in this regard is only possible with the help of Bahamians who continue to sell their country for a couple of dollars. I would not want to have any job that is in the Immigration or Labour Department, but I would encourage those who have this awesome responsibility to do their jobs and let the chips fall where they may. I am prepared to see the decreased numbers at the annual International Food Festival and the decrease in the number of future Bahamians with “good hair”, but the spicy food will be missed.
January 22, 2014
