Work permits were high on the agenda, as Labour and Home Affairs Minister David Burch met with business leaders yesterday.

A Government press release published last night revealed that Sen. Burch had talks with David Ezekiel and Richard Winchell, of the Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC), Graham Redford and Martin Law of the Bermuda Employers Council (BEC) and John Harvey, of the Bermuda Hotels Association (BHA).

Earlier, he spoke with Bermuda Chamber of Commerce leaders.

The brief release said many labour issues were discussed, including work permits. Many business leaders have been seeking an easing of the six-year limit imposed on most work permits.

Minister Burch said: "I am thankful for the time these gentlemen dedicated to this meeting. I wanted the public to be aware that this is part of our ongoing efforts to maintain an open dialogue with the members of these bodies to ensure that any and all issues are brought to the fore.

"And these meetings are particularly relevant as we try to navigate through these troubled financial times.

"Finally, this Ministry has promised to listen to all stakeholders in the industry with an aim of finding common ground solutions."