Government

The Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason P. Hayward, JP, MP, advises that the Ministry has received complaints from employees pertaining to arbitration clauses being included in their statement of employment and employers insisting on settling all matters, including possible breaches of the Employment Act 2000 by the employer, through arbitration.

TO ALL ATTORNEYS

INCREASE OF SERVICES (COVID-19)

This Practice Direction is issued further to Circular 01 of 2022.

It should be noted that the health, safety and welfare of the Members of the Public, as well as Court Administrative Staff continues to be our paramount concern so services will continue to be limited and be revisited.

WITH EFFECT FROM 4 APRIL 2022:

GENERAL:

The Department of Health invites the public to participate in virtual and in-person events during Public Health Week, 4th – 8th April 2022.

“Public Health Week features several events as part of the Government of Bermuda’s initiative to promote healthy lifestyles,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I encourage everyone to join the Department of Health’s panel discussion and workshop, and those persons interested in a career in public health should attend the Careers Fair.”

The Ministry of Education is delighted to announce that the Annual Middle and Senior School Art Exhibition is back!

The 56th Annual Art Exhibition is open at the Bermuda Society of Arts gallery at the City Hall. After two years of virtual art displays, the public can explore the exhibition and appreciate these beautiful works in person.

The works are vibrant, thought-provoking, and engaging as students visually answer the question, “Is Bermuda Another World?’

The Department of Workforce Development is committed to supporting young people in their career and educational development, both locally and overseas.  In the fiscal year 2021/22, the Department supported a total of 34 students for overseas studies.  The Department has budgeted $350,000 for local and overseas scholarships for the fiscal year 2022/23.

The Department of Workforce Development is pleased to invite applications for their 2022 Local and Overseas Scholarships.  

Sadly, Bermuda has recorded another coronavirus related death since our last update,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 4104 test results, and 108 were positive for the coronavirus.

These results are from testing done on:

·Sunday: 17 positive out of 973 results (1.7% positivity)

·Monday: 57 positive out of 1613 results (3.5% positivity)

The Cabinet Office announced today that Premier David Burt has invited Her Excellency the Governor to revoke the appointment of the Hon. Renee Ming JP MP as a Minister. Pending the appointment of a substantive Minister, the Hon. Wayne L. Furbert JP, MP is appointed Acting Minister of National Security. 

On Thursday, 22 March, the Ministry of Economy and Labour released the December 2021 Retail Sales Index. 

December’s retail sales fell 8.8% compared to last year.  In value terms, retail sales decreased to an estimated $113.3 million, falling 5.4% compared to the previous year (December 2020).

However, compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, volume sales were 3.8% higher.

Service Stations’ sales also grew 2.8% due to increased vehicular traffic compared to the previous year.  The sales volume for this sector remained 1.3% below the 2019 sales level.

Seven community organisations were awarded monetary grants from the Bermuda Government’s Confiscated Assets and Capital Development Grant Programme.

Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, presented cheques to sports and community clubs, totalling $175,000 to assist with essential upgrades to their facilities, purchase new equipment and support youth programmes.

The initiative is in keeping with the Government’s commitment to supporting community organisations and projects which get Bermudians back to work.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 4929 test results, and 102 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 2.0%.

These results are from testing done on:

·Wednesday:  35 positive out of  1602 results (1.9% positivity)

·Thursday: 26 positive out of 1543 results (2.5% positivity)

·Friday: 17 positive out of 906 results (3.5% positivity)

·Saturday: 24 positive out of 878 results (3.7% positivity)

On Thursday, the Minister of Economy and Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, released the December 2021 Consumer Price Index (attached) publication from the Department of Statistics.

The Minister explained, “In December 2021, consumers paid 2.7 per cent more than they did in December 2020 for the basket of goods and services.” 

On Tuesday, March 29th, the Island’s seniors will once again be provided with an opportunity to learn important skills like posting, liking, tweeting, and commenting during our annual Safer Internet Day. This event is free and will take place at St. Paul’s Centennial Hall from 10 am to 2 pm.