On Friday, March 13th, 2015, the PLP laid a motion before Parliament requesting a formation of a Joint Select Committee (JSC) on comprehensive immigration reform.

Opposition Leader Marc Bean explained the reasoning behind the proposed motion: “The intent was to specifically build consensus within this House via a joint select committee ….. ……Because immigration is one of the key issues facing our country today, we felt the necessity to have a joint select committee in the most collaborative fashion seeking a 2/3 majority so it doesn’t split into partisanship. We have expressed that we are willing to collaborate so that we can get an immigration policy that is functional and reflective of the 21st century.”

Joint Select Committees are bipartisan and are structured to include members from both the Government and the Opposition. Both working together in an effort to formulate solutions to address specific issues facing our country; they are fundamental in ‘Governing via collaboration.’

Opening the Flood Gates

“We will still look at wholesale immigration reform…”Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy - Royal Gazette - July 30, 2014

Let’s look at immigration moves by the OBA over the last 27 months:-

•JANUARY 31ST, 2013 — Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy abolishes term limits therefore allowing expats the right to long-term residency.

•FEBRUARY 13TH, 2013 — Minister Fahy amends immigration policy to allow children of work permit holders who are under 19 years of age to work during the summer without the requirement for a work permit.

•FEBRUARY 19TH, 2013 — Minister Fahy forced to back down on this due to public outcry

•DECEMBER 4TH, 2013 — Job Makers’ Act Amendment passed to make it easier for persons to obtain PRC status.

•MARCH 22nd, 2014 – Dr. Grant Gibbons amended the Companies Act to grant exempt companies the right to acquire residential land. Currently, Bermuda has 4,900 acres of residential-zoned property of which 2,179 acres are owned by non-Bermudians.

•JANUARY 14TH, 2014 — Minister Michael Fahy introduces the concept of ‘Commercial Immigration’ and selling Bermudian Status to the highest bidder.

•JULY 23, 2014 — Minister Fahy announces that the OBA will allow PRC to be granted status on the grounds that long-term residents have the right to seek citizenship.

•OCTOBER 1ST, 2014 – Minister Fahy proposed a new Work Permit Policy that included the highly controversial Bermuda Employment Visa (BEV) which would allow qualifying firms to hire non-Bermudians as 20% of their staff without having to advertise or apply for a work permit.

•NOVEMBER 28TH, 2014 — Minister Fahy forced to withdraw the Bermuda Employment Visa (BEV) proposal.

•DECEMBER 22ND, 2014 – It is revealed that Minister Fahy travelled to London to attend the Citizenship by Investment & International Residence Summit which promoted the selling of citizenship to the rich.

•MARCH 1ST, 2014 – Minister Fahy implements a new Work Permit Policy that includes a New Business Work Permit which allows qualifying companies to receive automatic approval of an unlimited number of work permits if applied for within the first 6 months. These companies would not have to first seek qualified Bermudians first.

•MARCH 3rd, 2015 – Minister Fahy is forced to add an amendment to the Work Permit Policy when it came to light that the policy allowed for children of work permit holders to seek employment.

•MARCH 13TH, 2015 – the OBA blocks the Opposition’s motion to form a bi-partisan joint select committee of immigration reform.

Clear Intent

What other forms of immigration policies can the Bermudian people expect for the OBA to implement without collaboration from both sides?

Whilst nearly 4,000 Bermudians are unemployed, Minister Fahy has shown a determined track record favouring granting employment in Bermuda to the following categories:-

•Non Bermudians

•Spouses and partners of Non-Bermudians

•Children of Non Bermudians

The OBA always speaks of collaboration. After the events of Friday March 13, 2015 it is clear to see, that whenever the OBA have a chance to actually collaborate, they fight tooth and nail against any such move.

Why is that?