Glover-Rolle: Jobless numbers not reflective of current job market

Labour and Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle has responded to new figures from the Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI) showing a sharp rise in unemployment, reaffirming the government’s commitment to job creation and workforce development amid what she called a “seasonal and structural” shift in the labour market.

According to the BNSI’s Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2025, the national unemployment rate climbed to 10.8%, up from 7.2% in the third quarter of 2024 — a level that had marked a two-decade low.

The report, which covers the period from January to March, cited cyclical contractions in tourism and construction as key drivers of the increase, while also noting a rise in labour force participation from 74.8% to 76%.

“This means more Bahamians entered the job market and are now actively seeking work,” the Ministry noted in a statement. “While this has contributed to the increase in the unemployment rate, it also signals confidence in the economy and an increased desire among Bahamians to engage in the workforce.”

Minister Glover-Rolle acknowledged the findings but cautioned that the data is not reflective of the current state of the job market.

“The data released this week was not reflective of the current state of the labour market, given that the most recent data available is from the start of this year,” she said.

Still, the Minister expressed concern over longstanding issues, particularly among young Bahamians, surrounding skills mismatches and structural unemployment.

“It is not simply that jobs are unavailable. Hundreds of openings exist in our Department of Labour database that we have been unable to fill,” Glover-Rolle said. “The real challenge lies in building and aligning skills with the opportunities on offer.”

The Minister pointed to several initiatives designed to combat unemployability and improve labour market outcomes. Chief among them is the National Productivity Task Force, which she said will lay the groundwork for a permanent National Productivity Council.

“Its work includes creating the framework, systems, and stakeholder partnerships necessary to address productivity shortfalls that limit economic participation,” she explained.

Additional programmes include:

The National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP), currently piloting in construction and maritime industries.

The Bahamas Polytechnic Accreditation & Training Hub (BPATH), aimed at certifying high school students in career-specific skills.

The Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPAS).

The expansion of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) to Abaco, Eleuthera, and Exuma.

The Minister highlighted that several major hiring exercises have occurred since March, including initiatives in Grand Bahama that brought hundreds of jobs to the island. These, she said, will be reflected in future surveys.