Sir,

A Mr. Alphonso Smith had a letter published in the press recently bemoaning the fact that the Bahamian worker does not get a “fair share of the economic pie” instead Haitians, Jamaicans, Chinese, Dominicans and Mexicans appear to be getting all the jobs, or so he claims.

Hate to say this, but could it be because of the atrocious work-ethic of some Bahamians, in particular, some male workers?

Mr. Smith goes on to complain that “Bahamian workers were denied by previous and the present Government to handle those lucrative jobs … “

I assume, Mr. Smith, you have never telephoned a government office or BTC, you will wait ‘til hell freezes over and the ‘phone will still not be answered, or, if it actually is answered you will be met by a very surly operator whom you have obviously interrupted from some personal business.

Mr. Smith and my other Bahamian brothers and sisters, nothing is given to you, which includes respect, it must be earned.

It’s like that other old chestnut; “why do the foreigners own all the banks and hotels, we should be allowed to own these things?”

The simple answer is YOU CAN. All you need is the wherewithal (money) and the knowhow (knowledge and experience) exactly the same as “the foreigner”

Harry Strachan