Business leaders say restaurants could be hit by new six-year caps on work permits.

Jay Correia, chairman of the Restaurant/Nightclub Division of the Chamber of Commerce, said managers and head chefs were in short supply across the world.

He said: "It is especially important to hold on to successful employees in these critical categories.

"I see no reason why a successful manager or head chef should have to leave after six years and then probably be replaced by another foreigner.

"I applaud the Minister's desire to encourage qualified and interested Bermudians to take positions currently held by foreigners but no amount of restrictions or deterrents to foreigners will make Bermudians take positions in an industry that they have lost interest in.

"Even with the addition of training and recruitment, it is uncertain how many more Bermudians we can attract. However I do agree every effort should be made.

"The bottom line is if you have a good foreign employee in a position that is key to the success of your business and your legitimate attempts to find a Bermudian have failed and you are a good corporate citizen then you should be allowed to keep that person.'' Under the new work permit policy -- which comes into effect on April 1 -- companies with a good track record in sticking to Immigration Department rules can appeal to have employees exempted from the six-year cap if they are key employees or they have skills in short supply.

Bermuda International Business Association praised the way the Government had drafted the policy.

BIBA chairman Ray Medeiros said: "The policy appears to have adequate flexibility to meet actual business needs and there seems to be sufficient built-in discretion to respond favourably to the immediate and future requirements of international business.

"We will need to see how this discretion is applied moving forward.

"Bermuda is one of the world leaders in international business. This is due in part to the strong and stable working relationship between the international business community and Bermuda's Government.'' IMMIGRATION IMM