By EARYEL BOWLEGTribune Staff Reporterebowleg@tribunemedia.netUNION leaders are pushing back against the Davis administration’s explanation for the rise in unemployment to 10.8 percent in the first quarter of 2025, accusing officials of downplaying the scale of the problem. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has defended his administration amid the latest figures, attributing them to seasonal factors and more Bahamians entering the workforce. Trade Union Congress president Obie Ferguson was more blunt, claiming foreign workers are squeezing Bahamians out of jobs. “We have about 31,000 work permits. Past BNSI data showed more than 14,000 new work permits were issued in 2024, the majority to men.