Figures are not yet available to show job categories taken up by unemployed Bermudians after a moratorium on work permits on more than 40 types of jobs was extended to the end of July.

Jason Hayward, the Minister of Labour, said the ban, imposed in November and at first scheduled to end yesterday, was necessary to “protect Bermudians and create additional opportunities” after the coronavirus pandemic left many residents out of work.

But he added: “We don’t have direct data that shows the number of employees within respective job categories.

“But we have heard through the Department of Workforce Development that we have seen success in certain areas where Bermudians are being hired.”

Mr Hayward said: “We believe that at a time of economic contraction and a reduction in employment across a majority of sectors that this policy is appropriate.”

Mr Hayward said it would be hard to highlight which closed job categories had recruited the most Bermudians until “we get back to a more normal period”.

The policy has increased the categories of jobs closed to work permit holders from 12 to 42.

Residential cleaners were added to the list this week when the moratorium was extended for three months.