Government is tightening up work permit policies in a bid to protect Bermudians and expatriate workers and take into account the new Employment Act.

Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister told the House of Assembly yesterday that many of the changes already apply to initial work permit applications but that starting in July they will be applied to work permit renewal applications as well ."There are two reasons for enforcing the Employment Act 2000 as part of work permit policy," Mr. Lister said.

"The first is to prevent employers trying to make jobs less attractive to Bermudians by offering lower wages than they would offer a non-Bermudian. The second is to ensure that non-Bermudian employees are aware of their conditions of employment including salary and benefits before they commit themselves in order to prevent exploitation by employers."

Work permit applications will have to be accompanied by a Statement of Employment which sets out the essentials of the relationship between the prospective employee and employer.

The Employment Act mandated that every employer provide their employees with a Statement of Employment.

"This document will set out accurately and completely the employee's job requirements," the Minister continued.

"With an initial application, an unsigned Statement of Employment will be acceptable so long as a copy, signed by both the employer and employee, is forwarded to the department as soon as the permit holder begins work."

A Statement of Employment will also be required for job title changes or promotions.

"While Statements of Employment will not normally be required for renewals, it will be necessary to submit one for every work permit, where a contract was not required previously. This can best be done when the work permit is renewed."

With the exception of short term work permit applications, Police certificates from the person's country of residence are required.

And the Department is now requiring that applications for temporary work permits be accompanied by a resume.

Work permit holders will be allowed to bring their dependants onto the Island provided the dependants are below the age of 16 and the work permit holder can show that they have enough resources to support them. "In recent times there have been a number of cases where work permit holders have brought dependants into Bermuda and promptly applied for financial assistance from Government or charities," Mr. Lister said.

"Children of 16 years and over when brought into Bermuda often fail to attend school. Being uneducated and unskilled, such persons either work illegally or become social nuisances."